Seat in Mayo set for major boost as company announces €20m investment

Fri, Aug 17, 2012

Rochford Motors, the official Seat dealership in Mayo is set for a major boost following the announcement that Seat, the Spanish car brand in Ireland, is to undergo a radical overhaul of its operations and customer offering as the company prepares to grow its market share to 3.5 per cent by 2017.

Ford Focus is Ireland’s best selling car for 2012

Fri, Aug 17, 2012

The Ford Focus looks set again this year to win the title of Ireland’s favourite car as Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) figures show that the model has claimed the top spot in car sales here for the first six months of the year.

How do you squeeze more mpg from your car?

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

As everyone knows petrol and diesel have become wickedly expensive this year. Even though oil prices have come down a bit we are being hit by a falling Euro and we are still stuck with those massive, punitive taxes that have been piled onto the price by our own government in the last four years.

It is now in the region of €1.60 per litre. That is €80 to fill a typical 50-litre tank. Ouch. If you have to drive any sort of mileage you may well find yourself having to fill that tank three times a month. Ouch indeed.

New Seat Toledo on the way

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

The new Toledo is coming. It is described by Seat as a saloon with a dynamic modern design, driven by highly-efficient engines, with outstanding practicality and excellent workmanship.

Skoda customer service recognised again

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

Skoda has further cemented its reputation of delivering outstanding customer service with another outstanding performance in the highly respected JD Power and Associates/What Car? 2012 Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS).

Car sales in Mayo at low levels - SIMI

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

New car sales are slightly up on last year according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), however, Mayo bucked that trend with sales down 14 per cent for the year. SIMI has warned however, that the figures need to be put in the context of a market showing relatively low sales overall.

French taking their road safety seriously

Fri, Jul 13, 2012

If you are planning to drive in France this summer then be warned that our continental friends have decided to take road safety very seriously these days. Amongst the things you will need to bring are a hi-viz jacket, a self-breathalyser and a carefully respectful manner, en francais si possible, when dealing with French police.

Every year we deal with drivers going abroad, either for insurance or just for general advice. France is the most common port-of-call, after the UK where the rules are very similar to here.

Citigo hits Mayo and makes its mark in small car market

Fri, Jul 13, 2012

SKODA Ireland has today launched a brand new entrant to the small car market. Retailing from just €9,995 the Citigo is available for test drive at Monaghan & Sons, Castlebar.

Equality and Fairness are not the same thing

Fri, Jun 29, 2012

If you listen to a lot of media chattering in Ireland you would think that Equality and Fairness mean the same thing. The two words are used interchangeably by occupants of that very crowded space they call the High Moral Ground.

The EU, and Ireland, gets it wrong on biofuels

Fri, May 25, 2012

The road to hell is paved with good intentions they say. There is a fine example of the law of unintended consequences in the recent history of biofuels in Europe.

The Primastar at Ballina Nissan

Fri, May 25, 2012

It’s arrived: a van that not only looks different, but also takes a different and intelligent approach to design. The Primastar is both radical and refreshing. Its combination of exceptional agility and effective ergonomics makes it as easy and responsive to drive as a car.

All-new Ford Ranger pick-up is the one to beat

Fri, May 25, 2012

The all-new Ford Ranger pick-up arrived in Ireland recently with an entry level price of €25,194. And Ford boasts that it combines the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, outstanding safety and the highest standards of quality and comfort. Certainly, the new Ranger made history when it became the first pickup truck to be awarded a maximum five star safety rating by crash safety testing body, Euro NCAP. In fact, the Ranger achieved one of the best overall scores ever awarded by Euro NCAP; its five star rating reflects a strong performance in adult, child and pedestrian protection. The new Ranger is offered in two cab bodystyles, the double- or regular-cab, along with an extensive list of practical features that are available in four series choices. Ford claim that both cab styles are among the roomiest in the segment. The compact pickup is available in a 4x4 drivetrain. There are four specification levels available for the new Ford Ranger - the XL, XLT, LTD and the Wildtrak with a choice of the following powertrains: the 2.2 TDCi in 125 bhp or 150 bhp; and the 3.2 TDCi 200 bhp.

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