FRAUD CRACKDOWN: The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) will launch an anti-fraud campaign tomorrow, aimed at highlighting the cost of fraud to policyholders.
The campaign will consist of posters, press and radio adverts and a dedicated anti-fraud telephone hotline. This year the IIF estimates fraudulent and spurious claims will cost insurers and, therefore, Irish policyholders at least €100m. These include false declarations or failing to disclose information to get insurance cover; taking out a number of policies to cover the same risk in order to make multiple claims; and staging accidents to make claims.
FIAT NEWCOMER: The estate version of the Stilo is the Multi-Wagon. Michael Howe, Fiat Auto Ireland's managing director, admitting that Irish customers don't like small and medium estates because of a workhorse image. The newcomer, he says, is longer and higher than the saloon, comes with three engines, 1.6 petrol and two 1.9 JTD common rail turbo diesels. On-the-road prices for the 1.6 litre petrol range starts at €19,570 while the diesels begin at €22,945.
Howe expects sales of 300 Multi Wagons this year. He points to a price advantage over a major competitor like the Peugeot 307SW with the Fiat €3,800 cheaper in petrol form.
VW DEBUT: The Touran, the latest MPV on the market, made an unexpected debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show. With five seats as standard, and two more optional, the VW is based on the Golf platform but bears a close resemblance to the Opel Zafira. We'll have a full report from the European launch next week.
MOTORS FIRST: Men are more likely to spend money on their motors than to lavish luxury on their ladies, according to the RAC. Twice as many guys in a recent RAC survey would sooner buy a luxury item for their car than their partner. When asked what they would buy if they had the funds for only one expensive purchase, 18 per cent said that they would splash out on a new sound system, alloys or other car accessories, while only 7 per cent said that they would treat their significant other.
HYUNDAI GAINS: Net profits for Hyundai have jumped 23 per cent year-on-year in 2002 to €1.1 billion. Sales for the Korean car-maker rose 17 per cent in 2002.