Dan Dooley brings triple treat to Limerick

Gowan Auto has announced the appointment of Dan Dooley Car Sales as an authorised dealer for Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep in Ireland. Located in Knocklong, Co. Limerick, Dan Dooley Car Sales has a heritage dating back to 1961 when Dan Dooley first opened his garage. Since then, the Dooley name has become synonymous with the motor trade in the region.   John Saunders, Managing Director at Fiat and Jeep Ireland commented. “We are delighted to welcome Dan Dooley Car Sales to our national network. Their heritage, local reputation and unwavering commitment to customers make them an excellent partner for our brands. With the imminent launch of exciting new models, including the all-new Fiat Grande Panda, alongside Jeep’s all-new Compass, customers can now access vehicles with a choice of electrified options, including hybrid and full- electric variants as well as the hard-working Fiat Professional Van Range. This ensures they are ready for the future of motoring while experiencing the style, innovation and capability our brands are known for.”

Published 8 months ago

New car registrations: up 3.3% in January 2026; Significant growth in battery technology cars

New car registrations: up 3.3% in January 2026; Significant growth in battery technology cars The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released its official 261 new vehicle registration statistics for January. Reporting a positive start to the year for the Irish motor industry. New car registrations for January were up 3.3% (34,604) compared to January 2025 (33,499). Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 21.6% (7,579) compared to January last year (6,234). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 16.6% (392) in comparison to January 2025 (470).

Published 8 months ago

Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial – trusted everywhere

If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it – not so much advice, as it is policy for the folk in Toyota, who effectively left their Land Cruiser as was, for some 15 years. With a world- renowned reputation for reliable functionality, the Land Cruiser’s global fan club is jumping with delight on the arrival of the new Land Cruiser. And so, as I walked to its latest manifestation, I parked its history and looked afresh at its 4,925mm length, 1,980mm width and 1,925mm height. Yep, it is imposing, even at a standstill, my test vehicle in two-seat commercial mode, with an asking price ranging from €70,300 to €72,385 (including VAT) – those able to reclaim VAT being asked a more palatable €57,192. Should you itch need scratching for the passenger variant, the asking price north of 140k will require your nails to be long and sharp.

Published 8 months ago

VW Group Ireland welcome ’26 following successful ‘25

The rude good health of the Irish Motor Industry was highlighted in a recent, face to face, briefing provided by Volkswagen Group Ireland. Confidentially announcing record-breaking sales for 2025 - 40,950 vehicle registrations across its six brands – Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, CUPRA, SEAT, Škoda, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Pierre Boutin, CEO & Group Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Ireland., commented, “Despite a backdrop of intense competition, 2025 was an exceptional year, everything we do has been built on trust, built for Ireland.” VWGI automotive group secured a 29 per cent share of the overall new car market and accounted for more than one in four electric vehicles sold in 2025, the Volkswagen’s ID.4, topping the sales charts for a fifth consecutive year with registrations up 35 per cent in the past 12 months.

Published 8 months ago

Honda to go capital in 2027

Honda’s next generation vehicles, due in 2027, will wear the brands refreshed design, a new ‘H mark’ that will adorn both EV and major hybrid-electric (HEV) models. In addition, it will be applied to other areas of its business – including dealership locations, communications initiatives, and automobile motorsport activities.

Published 9 months ago

Volvo EX60 Cross Country rises to the challenge

Volvo Cars has just revealed its all-electric Volvo EX60 to the world, and given us a first look at the EX60 in another flavour, introducing the newest entry in its popular line-up of Cross Country models. The EX60 Cross Country seeks to provide customers with all the benefits found in the EX60: good electric range, fast charging, and state-of-the-art technology that makes life easier, safer, better and more enjoyable.  I remember driving the first Cross Country model across the Mourne Mountains, back in 1997, and like all since, they come with a robust, bold and distinctive design Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer, commenting on the new Cross Country, said, “The EX60 Cross Country is the EX60 for anyone with a ‘go anywhere’ attitude. Built to do more and see more, the EX60 Cross Country embodies not only the sense of exploration but also a reflection of achievement. We basically invented this segment and we felt the EX60 was the perfect next Volvo to get the Cross Country treatment.”

Published 9 months ago

Volvo EX60 is stronger and will go longer

Say hello to the EX60 – Volvo’s five-seater, family-friendly, all-electric, mid-size SUV that enters the largest electric market segment in terms of range, charging speed, performance and price.   The EX60 is also Volvo Cars’ first entry into the world’s largest electric segment globally, allowing it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share.   Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars, commenting on the new EX60, said, “This new, all-electric EX60 changes the game in terms of range, charging and price and represents a new beginning for Volvo Cars and our customers. With this car, we remove all remaining obstacles for going electric. This fantastic new car is also a testament of what we are capable of at Volvo Cars, with an all-new product architecture introducing new key technologies – mega casting, cell-to-body and core computing.”

Published 9 months ago

Gilmores of Dún na Rí go BYD

A few short years ago we never heard of BYD, now the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles on our globe. Imported and distributed here by Motor Distributors Limited, (MDL), they have just announced the appointment of Cavan motor retailer, Gilmores of Kingscourt as main dealer for the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand.   Trading as BYD Kingscourt – and operating from its prominent location on the Shercock Road in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan – their appointment increases the BYD national dealer network to 13 outlets overall, with a number of further appointments expected to be announced imminently.   Vicky Reilly, BYD Ireland National Sales Manager in welcoming Gilmores – a long standing dealer partner of MDL – said: “A trusted name with a long history of delivering customer satisfaction and a high-quality service, we are delighted that our partnership with Gilmores of Kingscourt will now extend to our BYD network, particularly in a region where no previous representation existed for the brand.”

Published 9 months ago

LEAPMOTOR LAUNCHES B10

Launched here in October 2025, Leapmotor has wasted no time in making itself known, building up its dealer network now to seven and introducing new models to the Irish customer menu, the latest of which, the B10, made its debut this week at Gowan Auto’s Distribution Centre in Citywest. The B10 enters the ultra-competitive C-Segment SUV Irish market in Ireland, with the VW id4, Hyundai Kona and Skoda Elroq, all ready to fight for the 4.5 metre of car space in your driveway. Along with its user-friendly size, the Leapmotor B10 is priced in effective B-segment SUV territory, will come in two trim levels and two battery options, from €32,984, inclusive of SEAI grant and VRT rebate.

Published 9 months ago

Cedar Group acquired by Salvador Caetano Group

The Cedar Group, one of Ireland’s largest motor distributors and retailers, has announced that it has been acquired by the Salvador Caetano Group which is entering the Irish market for the first time. The Salvador Caetano Group, which is headquartered in Portugal, is a global leader in the automotive industry with operations in 48 countries across Europe, Africa and South America. It has over 80 years of experience in automotive distribution and retail, bus manufacturing, industrial equipment, aftersales service, information technology and renewable energy solutions. The Cedar Group is the largest independent motor group in Ireland. It employs over 600 people, sold almost 28,000 vehicles in 2025, and has a turnover close to €1 billion per annum.

Published 9 months ago

Polestar 3 achieves Euro NCAP Best in Class award

Polestar 3 has been awarded Euro NCAP’s Best in Class award for safest Executive Car of 2025. This award follows the April 2025 announcement when Polestar 3 achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating and 87% score overall in the then latest round of safety tests. The brand’s flagship SUV impressed with remarkable scores of 90% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupant protection – at that point the highest score of any passenger car tested by Euro NCAP in the past nine years – 79% for vulnerable road users, and 83% for safety assist.

Published 9 months ago

Summer debut for new Peugeot 408

Expected here in time for the July registration year, the new Peugeot 408 will be positioned toward the top of the C-segment, one that includes their hatchback (308), an estate (308 SW), and two SUVs (3008 and 5008), all of these available with electric and electrified powertrains. Pricing and specification will be announced nearer the date. Made in France. The new Peugeot 408 is built at the Mulhouse plant. The electric powertrain, housed in the Peugeot E-408 is also produced in France — at Trémery by the STELLANTIS- NIDEC joint venture and its transmission is manufactured in Valenciennes by STELLANTIS.

Published 9 months ago

Leapmotor’s triple treat at Brussels Motor Show

Leapmotor, the newest EV brand to arrive on Irish roads, has been busy at the Brussels Motor Show, where it showcased three new key models, soon to inhabit our motoring terrain. Available across Ireland through Gowan Auto's established retail network, Leapmotor will most certainly find sanctuary in many of our nations driveways in the coming year. These Leapmotor’s three models will underpin the next phase of their international expansion. Models unveiled include the B03X, B05 and the new B10 Hybrid EV.

Published 9 months ago

BMW Ireland’s Happy Old Year of 2025

BMW Group Ireland has delivered a strong performance in 2025, reporting 5,868 registrations, with over 19 per cent of these vehicles being battery electric vehicles (BEV). The BMW brand recorded 5,143 registrations (2024: 4,619). MINI registered a total of 725 vehicles with almost half of these fully electric. The BMW brand registered 801 fully electric models in 2025, with year-on-year growth in key electric models including the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2. Helen Westby, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland, commenting on the figures, said, “BMW Group Ireland has delivered a strong year, with BMW establishing its position as Ireland’s leading premium automotive brand and MINI continuing its momentum with a revitalised model range,”

Published 9 months ago

Alfa Romeo sprout four new models at Brussels Motor Show

Alfa Romeo made some noise at the 102nd Brussels Motor Show in 2026, introducing four models: from the exclusive Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa and the Belgian launch of the New Tonale to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Collezione and the new Junior Sport Speciale.     Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo CEO, stated: “We are ending the year in terms of commercial performance and new products, and are about to experience a 2026 even richer in passion, audacity and strategic vision. Alfa Romeo is now a truly global brand: we maintain a presence in over 70 countries and are seeing double-digit growth, at +19% worldwide since the beginning of 2025. Europe has sped up to +29%, North America has been confirmed as our second strongest region, while MEA and IAP have risen by +20% and +51% respectively. This growth is demonstrated by the compact Junior that has already won almost 60,000 customers worldwide, bringing new energy to the brand. Plus, orders for the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio will reopen in the first quarter of 2026, to reaffirm the central role of performance and emotion in Alfa Romeo's DNA. And to start the new year with a powerful symbol of our values, we begin 2026 with the Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa. It celebrates the partnership with the Luna Rossa team, founded on performance, innovation, competitive mentality and its deep roots in the Italian identity.”

Published 9 months ago

New Opel Astra takes the stage at Brussels Motor Show

Much anticipated and much loved, the world got its eyes on the all-new Opel Astra and the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, taking place at the Brussels Expo convention centre from January 9th to 18th. A delighted Opel CEO, Florian Huettl, took the wraps off the new Astra, their latest evolution of the compact creation from Rüsselsheim. "The new Astra marks the next step in our 90-year history of the compact class and once again brings innovative features to the segment," commented Florian at the presentation.  In Germany, the bestselling Opel Corsa once again topped the registration statistics in 2025, and with the renewed trio of Grandland, Frontera and Mokka now launched across Europe, Opel is well positioned to capitalise in the SUV segments in 2026. Notably, around a third of orders for new Grandland and new Frontera are Electric. However, the undisputed star at the Opel booth in Hall 5 of the Brussels Expo is the new Opel Astra.

Published 9 months ago

Spring awaits the arrival of the KIA EV2

Kia’s EV range has just been enlarged by the arrival into Europe of its smallest offering, EV2, a new electric B-segment, which will debut in Ireland this spring, pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the launch date.   The EV2 is classified as a B-SUV and enters Europe’s second-largest automotive segment, full of confidence gathered via the success of its larger siblings, the EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9, all impressive in their specific segments.

Published 9 months ago

124,954 New Car Registrations in 2025

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released their official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2025. Total new car registrations for 2025 reached 124,954, representing a 3% increase when compared to 2024 (121,316). New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2025 saw an increase of 7% (32,779) compared to 2024 (30,669). New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) decreased by 5.1% (2,715) in comparison to 2024 (2,862). Imported Used Cars saw 71,813 registrations in 2025, an increase of 16.6% on 2024 (61,583). 23,601 new electric cars were registered in 2025, an increase of 35.1% from the 17,460 registrations seen in 2024. Market share for 2025 sees Petrol accounting for 25.11%, Hybrid 22.48%, Electric 18.89%, Diesel 17.09%, and Plug-In Hybrid 14.82%. Petrol remains the most popular engine type of choice for 2025, despite a decline in market share. Electric, Hybrid, and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles have gained momentum, accounting for over 56% of the market. Automatic transmissions account for 75.25% of the market share in 2025, while manual transmissions have declined to 24.73%.

Published 9 months ago

KIA EV5 arrives

KIA’s latest electric car, the EV5, will sit comfortably in two sale segments that account for 48% of all car sales in Ireland. There is little doubt this is exciting, daunting and confident all wrapped up in a Crossover, C-SUV that is 4,610mm in length, 1,875mm in width and 1,675mm in height - KIA Ireland is definitely looking forward to the fight. Just arrived at KIA dealerships nationwide, this latest electric KIA left many with smiles of satisfaction at its Irish launch, the all too short road drive and static presentation enough to whet the appetite for a longer association. Bigger than the Sportage in every aspect, the EV5 is not deficient when it comes to space.

Published 10 months ago

Fitzpatrick's MG Motor Kildare

MG Motor Ireland has announced the appointment of Fitzpatrick’s MG Motor Centre Kildare as the newest member of its growing dealer network. Fitzpatrick’s MG Motor Centre will initially operate from a temporary premises at Junction 13 off the M7, a landmark site next to Kildare Village, providing customers with access to MG’s full range of vehicles, including the award-winning MG4 EV, MG HS Plug-in Hybrid, MGS5 EV, MG ZS Hybrid+, MG3 Hybrid+, and the exciting Cyberster.

Published 10 months ago

New Opel Astra to sprout at Brussels Motor Show

Having given us three new models here in 2025 - the new Opel Grandland Electric, the updated Mokka and the all-new Opel Frontera, we ready ourselves for our first glance at the all-new Astra, which will be available in hatchback and sports tourer estate, at its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in January 9th to the 18th 2026 There is no questioning the popularity of the Astra, this 2026 model designed, engineered and made in Rüsselsheim, Germany, celebrating 35 years of compact motoring in 2026.

Published 10 months ago

Polestar 5 performance Grand Tourer pricing

Polestar, the Swedish electric car brand, officially reveals Irish pricing for the Polestar 5 four-door performance Grand Tourer. Born from the Precept concept, first unveiled in 2020 as a statement of intent for the brand’s future design, technology, and sustainability vision, the Polestar 5 is that future vision realised in production. Available to order now, Polestar 5 Dual motor Launch edition (550kW, 812Nm) is priced from €130,700. The Polestar 5 Performance Launch edition (650kW, 1,015Nm) is available from €145,700.

Published 10 months ago

Citroen ELO concept hits the right notes

When it comes to being daring in the design room, breaking away from the norm, the folk in Citroen are in a class apart. Their history tells its own story, from the Traction Avant, to the 2CV, to the still stunningly beautiful DS19, their designers have been given free reign to express and to satisfy.

Published 10 months ago

Ford announce European partnership with Renault

Ford have announced its strategic partnership with Renault Group as a first step to accelerate the next phase of its European transformation, reinforcing its commitment to the region for both retail and commercial customers with a strategy focused on agility, cost efficiency, and a sharpened brand promise. Building towards a sustainably profitable business in Europe, Ford’s next chapter will see a new product offensive driven by the introduction of new multi-energy, affordable cars and commercial vehicles designed to support customer choice on their journey to electrification and boost the company’s competitiveness in an aggressive market. The planned new vehicles will enhance Ford’s existing product range and are expected to arrive in showrooms in 2028.

Published 10 months ago