Irish drivers are paying up to 60 per cent more after tax for new cars when compared with the cheapest price for the same cars in other euro-zone countries.
According to a European Commission report published yesterday, many of the most popular car models cost between 30 per cent and 60 per cent more after tax in the Republic than elsewhere in the euro zone.
Among the most expensive cars were versions of the popular Nissan Micra, Volkswagen Polo and Volvo S60. In several instances, Irish prices for particular models were the most expensive after tax among all euro-zone countries.
Many of the world's best-known marques, including Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Fiat, Ford and Mercedes Benz, feature prominently on the list of the most expensive cars for Irish buyers.
Seventeen European and eight Japanese manufacturers supplied the commission with their recommended retail prices before discount, as of May 2007, of 87 of their best-selling models.
The vast majority of the cars surveyed, which range from small cars to executive cars and sports utility vehicles, were at least 10 per cent more expensive after tax in the Republic than in neighbouring euro-zone states.
According to the report, among the most expensive models are:
• Volkswagen: Polo 55PS (+60 per cent); Golf 80 PS (+46 per cent);
• Volvo: S60 2.4D (+60 per cent);
• Audi: A3 2.0 TDI (+44 per cent); A4 2.0 TDI (+46 per cent); A8 4.2 (+51 per cent);
• Mini Cooper: (+36 per cent);
• Ford: Fiesta 1.4 litre, five door (+37 per cent), Focus 1.6 litre, five door (+38 per cent);
• BMW: 320d (+50 per cent); 740iA (+54 per cent); X5 (+48 per cent);
• Fiat: Grande Punto 1.3 litre, five door (+41 per cent);
• Land Rover: Discovery 2.7 litre (+47 per cent);
• Mazda: 3 1.6 litre, petrol (+30 per cent);
• Mercedes Benz: C220 CDI (+48 per cent);
• Nissan: Micra 1.2 litre, three door (+57 per cent);
• Opel: Astra 1.4 litre, five door (+31 per cent);
• Peugeot: 207 1.4 litre, five door (+44 per cent);
• Renault: Clio 1.2 litre (+47 per cent); Espace privilege 2.0 (+48 per cent);
• Toyota: Yaris 1.3 litre, five door (+41 per cent); Avensis 1.8 litre, four door (+40 per cent).
The research also notes significant differences in the pretax prices charged by manufacturers for cars sold here, when compared to elsewhere in the euro zone.
For example, a version of the Renault Espace people carrier is 47 per cent more expensive before tax in the Republic than in the cheapest country, Italy. The VW Golf is about 25 per cent more expensive before tax here than in Greece, while the Nissan Micra is 26 per cent more expensive before tax here than in Austria.