A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Toyota prepares for hybrid people carrier
After several years of speculation about the expansion of the Toyota Prius model range from simply a single-car format to other formats, work is underway to create a hybrid people carrier for the Japanese brand. While it’s not expected to arrive until 2012, the new car puts into production a concept car, the Hybrid X, first shown in public over three years ago.
Judged by the prototype spotted testing (left), the new model is roughly the same size as the current Mazda5, which means enough room to seat seven, in theory at least. It’s still not confirmed if the car will have rear sliding doors. In terms of powertrain, it’s likely to feature a sizeable petrol engine - possibly 2-litre or more - combined with a lithium-ion battery pack
Skoda breaks up with longest-runnning Irish dealership
Skoda has parted company with its longest-running Irish dealership. Phoenix Motors, which held the franchise for the brand at its businesses in JFK Road in Bluebell, Dublin 12 and Prussia St, Dublin 7. According to a Skoda spokesman, the franchise ended after the car firm’s financing arm, VWBank, withdrew its stock funding for the dealership at the start of the month.
Attempts to contact the dealership and its managing director were unsuccessful. The Skoda franchise for the area is now with a new dealership, Pilsen Autos in Ballymount Industrial Estate. It has also been awarded a franchise for the Seat brand. Meanwhile, Co Cork dealer Finbar Galvin Motors, which previously handled the Renault brand, has also been awarded the Skoda and Seat franchises at its showrooms in Bandon.
Insurance survey predicts premium hikes
Over 89 per cent of Irish motor insurance companies said that they expect their company to increase premiums next year, according to a motor insurance industry survey by Deloitte.
Of the firms surveyed, 53 per cent expected an increase of up to 5 per cent, 33 per cent expect increases of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, while 3 per cent expect an increase greater than 10 per cent.
According to Deloitte, analysis of the most recent insurance statistical review and returns made to the Central Bank show that overall motor insurance companies showed further falls in profitability. “Four of the major companies showed an underwriting loss but only two showed an insurance loss after allowing for investment income,” it said in a statement.