CAR SALES UP: New car sales to the end of August were 166,018, up 4.9 per cent on the same period last year, according to figures seen by The Irish Times.
Ford's new Focus remains the best-seller on the Irish market, with 9,598 new sales this year, followed by Toyota's Corolla with 7,566 and the Avensis with 7,354.
BLIND MAN DROVE CAR: A man accused of giving instructions to a blind driver during a half-mile car journey in Britain had his court case adjourned today.
Dlear Ahmed failed to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court because of confusion over his bail status. The 21-year-old, who is alleged to have told Omed Aziz when to brake and steer, is charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Aziz (31), who lost his eyes in a bomb blast in Iraq, was stopped by a police patrol in April this year. He removed his sunglasses to reveal his disability.
AUDI'S ALLROAD: The revamped Audi A6 allroad quattro has gone on sale with diesel versions starting at €69,440 for the 2.7-litre TDI, 180bhp unit with Tiptronic transmission. This is followed by a 3-litre TDI, 233bhp, 6-speed manual gearbox version at €71,540 and a similar model with Tiptronic transmission at €74,410.
Petrol versions, all with FSI fuel injection, comprise a 3.2-litre FSI, 255bhp model with 6-speed manual gearbox at €72,750 and Tiptronic at €75,620.
Leading the petrol line-up is a 4.2 litre FSI, 350bhp version at €98,840.
E-BAY BARGAIN GOES FURTHER: A 16-year old Daihatsu Charade bought for €221 on e-Bay has just completed one of the toughest drives in the world, the 6,635 mile-long Mongol Rally.
David Mayo, a 21-year-old student from Britain, took 20 days to complete the fund-raising drive with his 55-year-old father.
He said: "That little car was amazing and although it is not a race, we were actually fifth to arrive. The conditions were so atrocious that at one stage a Mini disappeared in a pothole.
"The toughest part was driving through Kazakhstan, south of Russia. That took two full days of driving to cover 50 km. Competition rules limit the engine size to below 1.0 litre.
There is no cost limit, but cars must be considered highly unsuitable for the trip.
RSA AND CHANNEL 6 TEAM UP: Channel 6 and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have announced a joint TV campaign urging drivers to Expect the Unexpected.
Channel 6 is running a series of key messages fronted by its presenters, telling true stories of shocking road traffic crashes and warning viewers "How your world can change in a second on the road."
The campaign will run for the month of September on Channel 6.
FORD BOSS WILLING TO STEP DOWN: In a memo to employees Ford chairman, Bill Ford has signalled he would be willing to step down from his position in order to attract the current Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn to take on the role.