Inside the industry with Michael McAleer
AUGUST REGISTRATION FIGURES: August new car registration figures show a fall of 6 per cent for the year to date. While there was only a marginal decline on August of last year, for the year to date 140,937 new cars were registered by the end of August, compared with 150,218 for the same time last year. According to Cyril McHugh, SIMI chief executive, it's been quite a good year so far given last year's events and forecasts for the year, with even those in the industry reckoning on a 10 per cent drop.
A number of marques have even recorded significant growth, in particular Audi with sales up 881 units on this time last year. Others to record growth are BMW, Saab and Suzuki. The French marques have also done well, with all three recording improved sales. Meanwhile, in the battle for market share, Toyota and Ford are running neck and neck, both with just over 11 per cent.
CITROËN PREPARE TO REVEAL ALL AT PARIS: Come the end of the month and motor fans will be heading for the Paris motor show, set to be one of the most important of the year. Of course, the French marques are pulling out all the stops and Citroën is unveiling three new models - the C-Airdream concept car, the C3 Pluriel and a new look for the Berlingo Multispace. The Citroën C-Airdream concept car (left), a 2+2 coupe, uses drive-by-wire technology and advanced electronic systems. Shown for the very first time in its production ready form, the Citroën C3 Pluriel, is a five-in-one vehicle. From its four-seat saloon guise, the C3 Pluriel can be transformed into a 'panoramic saloon', a 'cabriolet', a 'spider', or even a 'spider pick-up'.
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR DEALERS: Next month will see a new online facility for distributors and dealers to complete vehicle registrations, dramatically speeding up the process. The free service from the Revenue Commissioners will allow 20-hour access to registration details, standard response time (even in early January), automatic calculation and validation. The service comes two years after Revenue introduced online filing of tax returns, payments and access to Revenue details online 24 hours a day. Revenue has engaged the services of Computer Gym, a mobile training centre equipped with the latest multimedia PCs, to deliver on-site training to customers. It's free of charge and is available countrywide on a pre-arranged basis. Computer Gym can be contacted by e-mail; info@computergym.iol.ie
HYUNDAI PROMOTION EXTENDED: Hyundai has extended its flights promotion into September. The promotion offers those who buy an Accent before the end of the month, free flights to major European cities along with €500 spending money.
GALAXY STILL GROWS: Despite the slide in new vehicle registrations, Ford's Galaxy has evaded the downturn, recording increased sales both here and on the continent, where it's now the top-selling MPV. Here, sales to date this year are up 20 per cent and in excess of 500 units will be sold, according to Ford. Overall in Europe it topped the MPV marekt with a 16 per cent share in the first quarter of this year.