What's happening in the motoring industry. Andrew Hamilton's digest
Peugot here has announced prices for its new 307 Sky Wagon, about to go on sale in Peugeot dealer showrooms. Ex-works prices begin at €22,550 for the SW GTX with the 1.6 litre petrol engine. The GTX 2.0HDi turbodiesel is €24,550. Standard in both are ABS, Brake Assist, six airbags, an in-dash CD player, remote audio controls, air conditioning, front electric windows, driver seat height adjustment and heat reflective glass.
The Executive 1.6 litre petrol marketed at € 23,595 ex-works and the Executive 2.0 HDi at €26,995 gain climate control, rear electric windows, alloy wheels and a front seat centre armrest. The 307 is a cross between an estate car and a MPV: it boasts seven removable seats.
Patrick O'Keefe, who is standing in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown constituency in the General Election as an independent candidate, says he is seeking to represent motorists in Dáil Éireann. His agenda includes no toll roads, tackling crippling motor insurance costs and the full, on-time implementation of the National Development Plan.
Peugot's newest dealer is Rathdown Motors in Terenure, Dublin. The dealership was established in 1984 and employs 36 people in sales and after-sales.
Citroen has extended its cashback scheme until the end of next month. New Xsara buyers get €750 back, while those opting for the Xsara Picasso MPV get a €1,000 refund.
MG has just built its 1.5 millionth car since production began in 1924. This car is the new TF 160 (subject of a road test elsewhere in this issue of Motors). The car has been designed to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, and will be participating in a motoring cavalcade that finishes in the Mall in London on June 4th.
TPCA is a new grouping in the European motoring scene. It actually stands for Toyota, Peugeot, Citroën Automobile Czech, and the new joint plant at Kolin, 60 kilometres east of Prague, will manufacture 300,000 small cars a year, primarily for European markets.
Retiring Volkswagen chairman, Ferdinand Piech, bowed out in style. He attended his last shareholders' meeting, driving the 140 miles from VW headquarters in Wolfsburg to Hamburg and returning a staggering 317mpg. His car was a featherweight two-seater bubble car, dubbed the one-litre car for its ability to travel 100km on one litre of fuel, or 285mpg. Dr Piech - grandson of original Beetle designer Dr Ferry Porsche - beat even that figure.
The new Mini is a huge success in the US. In its old form it was never marketed there. Americans are paying €12,000 over list price to be the first to own one. Bids at an online auction website have soared to $28,000. The list price of the Cooper version is $16,800.
General Motors, the world's biggest car manufacturer, has finally taken over Daewoo in a deal that is costing GM $2 billion. GM will take over at least three of Daewoo's factories and its sales outlet.