2026 NEW MODEL ARRIVALS AT MDL

A New Year at Motor Distributers Limited on Dublin’s Naas Road and they are already of their starting blocks in readiness for a hectic 2026 marathon. They have just informed me that they will be releasing some 24 passenger car arrivals over the coming year - fifteen from Mercedes-Benz, seven from BYD and two from XPENG.

Published 10 months ago

Renault 4E-Tech, bringing the past to the present

Car ownership comes at a substantial outlay, the relationship with your new chariot spread over a minimum three to four years. It’s important therefore to like your purchase, relish each time you walk to it and glance back when you’re fifteen feet away from it, all to endorse your great choice and taste. There are many cars out there that provide good, efficient transport, but sadly lack real personality and leave you with no aftertaste of any consequence. I compare it to eating popcorn – great while your eating it, but within minutes of finishing you are hungry, your memory of the popcorn forgotten. Choosing your new car should not be a popcorn event, your relationship a bit more substantial than a bag of cooked corn.

Published 10 months ago

New Frontera with five and seven-seat option sure to attract

A name from before, but now offering the option of seven seats, powered by a choice of petrol hybrid or full electric, the new Opel Fronter, compact Crossover SUV, will attract those who look for space, at a price that is not astronomical, added to the efficiency of modern propulsion systems. Just launched here, Beepbeep got the opportunity for a short test drive in the new Frontera from Opel HQ at Gowan Auto, Citywest, through the roads of South Dublin and into the winding feeder-roads of North Kildare. I was pleasantly surprised at the space on offer and the quietness on-road. It is definitely worth a longer test drive, the slightly elevated driving position giving a really good, unobstructed, road view. The 1.2 PureTech, petrol Hybrid, delivered is 136bhp with enough enthusiasm to deserve caution. Again, a longer drive would provide fuel consumption and other aspects of the Frontera’s personality.

Published 10 months ago

New Battery Electric Vehicle registrations reach record level for 2025 despite dip in November

Today, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for November. New car registrations for November were down 25.2% (838) when compared to November 2024 (1,121). Registrations year to date are up 3.1% (124,680) on the same period last year (120,893). Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 94.9% (1,035) compared to November last year (531). Year to date, LCVs are up 6.2% (32,476). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are up 16.6% (112) compared to November 2024 (96). Year to date, HGVs are down 6.7% (2,653).

Published 10 months ago

Kia Achieve 10,000 Annual Sales in Ireland

Kia has reached a significant milestone in Ireland by achieving 10,000 annual sales for the first time. This accomplishment highlights Kia's growing popularity and strong performance within the Irish automotive sector. Since its introduction to the Irish market, Kia has steadily built a reputation for delivering pioneering innovation and award-winning design.    Ronan Flood, Managing Director of Kia Ireland commenting on their success, said, “Reaching 10,000 annual vehicle sales is a testament to Kia’s strategic efforts and customer-focused approach. This achievement is thanks to our fantastic dealer network who work tirelessly at a local level to enable the best possible customer satisfaction which ensures repeat custom to allow for such an achievement.”

Published 10 months ago

Leapmotor in it for the Long Run

Leapmotor Ireland has announced its commencement as the Official Motor Sponsor of the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, beginning in 2026. This collaboration marks another step in Leapmotor’s journey in Ireland and underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation, empowerment, and sustainability.   This exciting partnership brings together two forward-thinking forces – the iconic VHI Women’s Mini Marathon that celebrates women’s strength and empowerment, and a brand in Leapmotor that’s leading the charge towards a more sustainable, electric future.

Published 11 months ago

KIA’s electric PV5 wins International Van of the Year Award

Kia’s all-electric PV5 has been named the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’ (IVOTY), at the IVOTY Award Gala during SOLUTRANS 2025 in Lyon, France, following a vote by a jury representing 26 countries. Based on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), the PV5 Cargo offers up to 41z6 kilometres of all-electric range (AER, WLTP), with DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes and a payload capacity of up to 790 kilogrammes. Additionally, the PV5 has also already earned a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “the greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery- powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge”, achieving 693.38 kilometres.

Published 11 months ago

National Award for Jeep Avenger CDV

The Jeep Avenger Car-Derived Van (CDV) has been awarded Car-Derived Van of the Year 2026 in association with Continental Tyres. It was selected following a vote by 13 of Ireland’s most experienced commercial vehicle journalists, who are members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI).   Available in both 100% electric (BEV) and Hybrid powertrains, the Avenger CDV carries its Jeep DNA lineage with ease, thanks to its combination of style, functionality, technology and all-weather and all-terrain capability.   Jeep’s next-generation powertrains seek to provide low running costs, has an easy- access payload and clever load-space usability. It also carries advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies.

Published 11 months ago

Lillywhites welcome Leapmotor

With further dealer franchise appointments set to be announced in the coming months, Fitzpatrick’s Garage in Naas, adjacent to the Naas Ball, now wears the Leapmotor jersey, their seventh retail partner in Ireland. First deliveries of Leapmotor’s T03 compact car (265km WLTP), retailing from €18,995 plus delivery related charges, and the C10 large family SUV (420km WLTP), retailing from €38,995 for the all-electric version or from €45,420 for the REEV (975km Range-Extended Electric Vehicle), are landing at Fitzpatrick’s Garage in Naas this week.

Published 11 months ago

Irish Car and Van of the Year Awards 2026

The twenty-nine members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland drew their motoring year to a finale at their annual Irish Car and Irish Van of the Year Awards in Dublin on Friday last. The event, in. association with Continental Tyres, was attended by representatives from across the Irish Motor Industry and culminated in the overall winner being voted 2026 Irish Car of the Year being the Renault 5 and Irish Van of the Year named as the Volkswagen Transporter.   The Renault 5 victory is now the sixth year in a row that an allelectric vehicle has been voted Irish Car of the Year, a firm indication of our move away from the Internal combustion engines of petrol and diesel, to zero-emission motoring.

Published 11 months ago

KEARYS MOTOR GROUP JOINS XPENG DEALER NETWORK

Kearys Motor Group, has been appointed as a main dealer for the all- electric XPENG range of passenger cars, in a statement issued by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL).   XPENG West Dublin will operate from its base on the Belgard Road in Tallaght, the third motor retailer to be appointed to the XPENG network in Ireland.  It joins other high-profile outlets, XPENG South Dublin, in Deansgrange, and XPENG Newmarket, in North Cork, with a number of further appointments in negotiation and expected to be announced soon.   Ciaran O’Sullivan, Motor Distributors National Sales Manager, commenting on the appointment of Kearys Motor Group,  said: "Our mission has been clear from the outset, to partner with exceptional dealers who can help shape XPENG’s unique identity in Ireland and deliver the brand’s cutting edge, premium experience to local customers”.

Published 11 months ago

Leapmotor shines bright on Dublin’s northside

Leapmotor Ireland has added two new franchise dealers with the appointment of Bright Motor Navan Road and Bright Motor Airside, making them the fifth and sixth showrooms in Leapmotor’s continued expansion, with further dealer franchise appointments set to be announced in the coming months. First deliveries of Leapmotor’s T03 compact car (265km WLTP), retailing from €18,995 plus delivery related charges, and the C10 large family SUV (420km WLTP), retailing from €38,995 for the all-electric version or from €45,420 for the REEV (975km Range-Extended Electric Vehicle), are landing at both Bright Navan Road and Bright Airside dealer forecourts this month.  The newly unveiled B10 SUV (434km WLTP), retailing from €32,984 inclusive of grants, will take pride of place in both showrooms, promising premium technology and style at an accessible price point.

Published 11 months ago

New car registrations: down 9.3% in October 2025; Battery electric vehicles up 34.3%

Today, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for October. New car registrations for October were down 9.3% (2,192) when compared to October 2024 (2,417). Registrations year to date are up 3.4% (123,858) on the same period last year (119,772). Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 41.8% (1,694) compared to October last year (1,195). Year to date, LCVs are up 4.7% (31,447). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 7.8% (138) compared to October 2024 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 7.6% (2,541). Imported Used Cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709). Year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446). In October 709 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 34.3% higher than the 528 registrations in October 2024. So far this year, 23,085 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 38.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 16,653 electric cars were registered. In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 25.23%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.56%, Electric at 18.64%, Diesel at 17.13%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.83%.

Published 11 months ago

MOTOR INDUSTRY APPOINTS NEW SIMI PRESIDENT ANTONIA HENDRON

Antonia Hendron, Managing Director of M50 Truck & Van Centre, Dublin was elected President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) at the organisation’s AGM held today in Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. Speaking at the event, Antonia Hendron President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry commented that she was looking forward to her term as President and outlined a number of clear priorities. “Firstly, I want to help position the motor industry as a leader and enabler of the green transition. We are a dynamic and innovative industry, and if policy makers and legislators are prepared to work with us, we will help them achieve Ireland’s ambitious climate targets.”

Published 4 years ago

Ford Focus 191 Price Promotion

As part of Ford Ireland’s 191 new registration promotion, Ford has announced revised prices for the All-New Ford Focus which arrived in Ireland in September.

Published 7 years ago

FUSO eCanter Irish Debut

The world’s first all-electric light truck in series production the FUSO eCanter was revealed to Irish customers recently. The event was attended by Minister Denis Naughten who took a test drive in the electric eCanter.

Published 7 years ago

Subaru to sponsor Flying Fifteen World Championships 2019

Subaru have been announced as the main sponsor and vehicle partner of the Flying Fifteen World Championships 2019 to be held 2nd – 13th September next year at The National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Bay.

Published 7 years ago

De Niro fronts launch of Kia e-Niro at Paris Motor Show

Kia’s first fully-electric crossover utility vehicle, the e-Niro was revealed in European specification at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the launch fronted by Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro.

Published 7 years ago

New Ford Transit Custom

Ford’s new one-tonne Transit Custom commercial hopes to build on the success of the outgoing model, which became the top-selling van in its segment across Europe since 2015.

Published 8 years ago

2019 Ford Wagon Mondeo Hybrid

Ford’s Mondeo Hybrid petrol-electric vehicle range 2019 will include the introduction of the Mondeo Hybrid wagon variant. Ford will release full specification and pricing for the enhanced Mondeo Hybrid range –closer to the model’s on-sale date.

Published 8 years ago

New BMW 3 Series Debuts in Paris Ahead of Irish Spring 2019 Launch

BMW New 3 Series Ready for Irish Launch in March 2019

Published 8 years ago

Mercedes Benz A-Class - Exuberance in the Stars

Buyers seeking an upmarket and stylish hatchback will be interested in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Published 8 years ago

Opel Grandland X – a Name with game

Opel’s latest entry to the Sports Utility segment arrives with an immediate confidence in its talents. The Grandland X, while not a full-blown 4x4, enters a segment occupied by players with no illusions about their form and function.

Published 8 years ago

Failte WLTP – Not so welcome – car prices set to rise

WLTP, World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, will levy a definitive rating on every car based on its weight, trim level, wheel size, engine and other options. This will obviously create a variance between a model with cloth trim and steel wheels as against the same model with leather trim and larger alloys, producing fuel consumption and CO2 emission values according to the vehicles aerodynamics, weight and rolling resistance.

Published 8 years ago