We used to build Beetles (on Dublin's Naas Road), now we’re buying its successors in droves.
Volkswagen was the best-selling car brand in Ireland in 2012, the first time that the brand has achieved this in its history in Ireland. Volkswagen finished in first place ahead of Toyota in second place and Ford in third place. According to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) Volkswagen registered 10,073 new cars in 2012 (12.67% market share) ahead of Toyota’s 9,998 (12.58% market share) and Ford with 8,592 (10.81% market share).
“We are delighted to be now, officially, the number one car brand in Ireland,” said Volkswagen Passenger Cars Deputy Brand Director John Donegan. “This is an outstanding result in what were tough market conditions in 2012. Given that this result was achieved even before the new Golf had arrived shows that Irish customers are navigating to the Volkswagen range for its quality, strong residual values and our strong retail offers.”
This was a sentiment echoed by Volkswagen Group Ireland Managing Director Simon Elliott. “We are very proud to be the best-selling car brand for 2012 and it is an indication of just how shrewd the Irish buyer is when it comes to choosing cars that they are increasingly putting their trust in Volkswagen.”
Volkswagen has also just released its all-new Golf on to Irish forecourts, starting at €19,995 and there is an array of offers available to Volkswagen customers for 2013.
Customers who order their new Volkswagen before the end of January 2013 will benefit from a whole host of extras on their new car. There will be three years of Free Servicing*, so you don’t need to worry about the cost of keeping your Volkswagen in tip-top condition. There is the security of three years of Roadside Assistance to keep you moving in the event of a mishap and with 3,000km of Free Fuel*, with the superb fuel economy on offer in the Volkswagen range, it could be months before you put your hand in your pocket for that either. With the added assurance of a three year warranty, Volkswagen ownership in 2013 is going to be as pain-free as one could wish for.
Acquiring your new Volkswagen is easier thanks to hugely competitive finance rates from Volkswagen Bank, which has lent in excess of €120m to Irish customers and is very much Open for Business. With a 3.9% APR available on Hire Purchase as well as attractive PCP (Personal Contact Plan) rates available from just €119 per month, it has never been easier to get into a new Volkswagen.
Volkswagen Open Week starts January 5th in all Volkswagen Retailers. Customers are invited to see the entire Volkswagen range including the new Golf.
Eleven Irish tyre specialists have received Michelin Certified Centre status and had the standard of their service recognised by the world’s leading tyre manufacturer.
Their achievements were recognised at the first Michelin Certified Centre Business Seminar which took place recently in Malahide at which best practice, business trends and issues facing the tyre industry were discussed.
The eleven dealers, who collectively operate a total of 13 individual retail outlets – ten in the Republic of Ireland and three in Northern Ireland – are: Simon Allen (Global Tyres, Carrickmacross and Dundalk), Robert Ferguson (Discount Tyres, Blanchardstown and Naas Tyre & Auto Services), Phil Flynn (Dungarvan Tyre Centre), Thom Fox (Ballinasloe Tyre Centre), Robert Frazer (Carryduff Tyres), Eamon Gleeson (Eamon Gleeson Tyres, Cahir), Wilson Mackey (A One Tyres, Dromore), Michael McGrath (Safeway Tyres, Ennis), Patsy Meyler (Meyler’s Tyres, Wexford), Cormac Nolan (Nolan Tyres, Ballon, Co. Carlow) and Alistair Simpson (Tyre Safety Centre, Cookstown).
Becoming a Michelin Certified Centre recognises the achievement of each of the 11 specialists in providing the very best levels of service, professionalism and expertise that is approved by Michelin’s Europe-wide accreditation scheme.
To qualify for certification and attend the seminar – which was hosted by Michelin UK and Ireland Commercial Director, Malcolm Scovell – each retail outlet had to successfully pass a stringent, independent audit of its operations. The audit assesses the quality of the workshop and buildings, levels of customer service and personnel requirements including training and skill levels.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Scovell described the programme as ‘one designed to make dealers feel part of a successful, international organisation, while maintaining their own individual identity.’ He went on to say that Ireland’s eleven Michelin Certified Centre dealers are ‘as good as any in Europe in their approach to their customers.’
In recognising the contribution being made by each Michelin Certified Centre in delivering the standard of service that motorists now expect, their Sales Manager for Ireland, Tom Dennigan confirmed the company’s desire to grow the number of Certified Centre dealers, north and south, by 2014.
Other Michelin personnel present at the event were Michelin Certified Centre Programme Development Manager, Mark Coleman; Business Development Manager, Joe Davies and all of the company’s Area Managers in Ireland.
Eleven tyre specialists have received Michelin Certified Centre status and had the standard of their service recognised at the first Michelin Certified Centre Business Seminar which took place in Malahide recently.
Picture below:
Michelin Sales Manager – Ireland, Tom Dennigan (seated centre) are the eleven successful dealers, three of whom are from Northern Ireland and eight from the Republic of Ireland. They are (standing left to right): Robert Ferguson (Discount Tyres, Blanchardstown and Naas Tyre & Auto Services), Michael McGrath (Safeway Tyres, Ennis), Simon Allen (Global Tyres, Carrickmacross and Dundalk), Robert Frazer (Carryduff Tyres), Cormac Nolan (Nolan Tyres, Ballon), Patsy Meyler (Meyler’s Tyres, Wexford) and Thom Fox (Ballinasloe Tyre Centre).
Seated (left to right) are Eamon Gleeson (Eamon Gleeson Tyres, Cahir), Mark Simpson (Tyre Safety Centre, Cookstown), Samantha Jordan (A One Tyres, Dromore) and Phil Flynn (Dungarvan Tyre Centre).
Skoda has today launched its new compact saloon, the Skoda Rapid across showrooms nationwide. Available with three different specification variants, both manual and automatic transmission options and five engine alternatives the Rapid is competitively priced from €15,995 and will suit families looking for a roomy car at an affordable price, reckons Skoda.
You can see what we thought of the Rapid on our test drive HERE.
To mark the launch of the Rapid, Skoda Dealerships nationwide are holding an Open Week from Saturday 27th of October to Saturday 3rd of November where motorists can test drive the Rapid and avail of special introductory offers for new 2013 purchases.
Competing in the diesel dominated A-segment the new Skoda Rapid offers a broad range of petrol engines from the 1.2 MPI delivering 75bhp to the turbocharged units in 1.2 and 1.4 TSI ranging from 86bhp to 122bhp. A diesel unit is offered in the form of 1.6 TDI producing 105bhp.
In CO2 emission terms the 1.6 TDI, 105bhp and 1.2 TSI 86bhp both achieve Band-A status with the remaining engines falling into Band-B.
The 1.6 TDI Diesel will account for the volume of sales however Skoda recognises an opportunity by offering motorists an alternative to diesel with an aggressively priced range of petrol vehicles.
Explaining Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing, Skoda Ireland said “The Skoda Rapid is fitted with low volume TSI Petrol engines that utilise the latest turbo charging and direct fuel injection technologies to produce surprising power with diesel rivalling fuel economy and CO2 Emissions.
Expanding, Leddy, said “The primary reason for purchasing a Diesel vehicle is to acquire annual taxation and fuel savings over a petrol vehicle. The basic premise is you pay a premium for the Diesel car but over time you will recoup the savings by reducing your operating costs. The question is how long will it take to achieve these savings? Take the Rapid 1.2 TSI, 86bhp like the Diesel it achieves Band-A emission status and consumes just 0.7l more per 100km driven. Using today’s fuel prices it would take 14-years for a Diesel version to justify and recoup the savings on fuel alone! This really brings petrol back into the equation.”
Designed as a roomy, elegant and affordable car for the whole family, the Rapid draws parallels with other models in the Skoda range with class leading passenger leg and head room and 550 litres of luggage capacity rivalling competitors from higher model segments. The Rapid also offers simple yet clever solutions such as a high visibility vest under the front driver seat and an ice scraper inside the fuel tank flap.
Safety also features prominently in the Skoda Rapid with standard safety equipment on board including ESP and ABS systems, six airbags including large capacity driver and front seat passenger airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags to prevent head injuries.
Emphasising the focus on affordability customers can drive a Skoda Rapid from €199 per month inclusive of workshop servicing and delivery through their PCP Solutions package from Skoda Finance.
