A collection of other stories in brief
Next generation Hyundai Tucson similar to its HED-6 Geneva concept
HYUNDAI IS busy working on the next generation Tucson, due for launch in the second-half of next year.
It’s still unclear if the car will carry the same name as the current model but, as this test car proves, the new model – spotted here undergoing initial winter testing – will bear some similarity to the firm’s HED-6 concept car, due to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month.
According to sources, radical designs were shelved in favour of a more traditional look.
What’s still uncertain is if the Korean firm’s SUVs will be rebranded under a letter-based naming system similar to the car range, which now carries the “I” nomenclature.
Electric vehicle conference
A DEMONSTRATION of electric cars, vans and even all-electric people carriers will be held in St Helen’s Hotel, Booterstown, Co Dublin today as moves get underway to meet the Government’s target of having 10 per cent of all the Republic’s vehicles electrically powered by 2020.
Under a scheme to cut the State’s €6 billion annual bill for imported fossil fuels the Government wants to see some 250,000 electric cars coming into use over the next 12 years.
Today’s conference, Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transport, will hear from experts on the latest developments in the field of electric vehicles, some of which will be on display.
The conference is being organised by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in conjunction with the ESB.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has provided SEI with a budget of €1 million to promote electric vehicles. He has admitted the target will be difficult to achieve.
However, a package of incentives to encourage motorists to switch over will allow businesses to write off 100 per cent of the cost against tax.
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council recently approved a motion to provide on-street charging points for electric vehicles and a national taskforce is to be set up to identify options for infrastructure.
Single-phase electric vehicles can be plugged into domestic supply lines, but the Government wants to see a State-wide network of “filling stations” where drivers can plug in to recharge.
Spain's €4bn motor bailout
SPAIN ON Friday joined the chorus of European governments announcing aid for their motor industries, unveiling a €4 billion assistance plan and boasting that it was second only to France’s in its generosity.
The plan was unveiled by Miguel Sebastian, minister for industry, tourism and commerce, who has recently launched a “Buy Spanish” campaign, while denying any protectionist intent.
Domestic vehicle sales have collapsed, with car sales down 42 per cent in January, compared with the same month in 2008.
Latest round of Irish Rallycross championship in Mondello
MONDELLO WILL host the latest round of the Irish Rallycross championship this Sunday.
Following the winter break, the first event of 2009 was cancelled due to snow, so the new schedule means the championship will finish over a three-week period.
Last weekend’s event was won by Derrick Jobb, who extended his lead in the series over the Coyne brothers Willie and Michael.
On Sunday, Jobb will be back at Mondello hoping to tie up the championship prior to the final round in two weekends time.
This would allow him to concentrate on getting in among the British championship runners in what will be the final round of the Irish championship and the opening round of the 2009 British series. Racing starts at 10am on Sunday.
Toyota to cut domestic production by over 50%
TOYOTA IS set to cut domestic production by 54 per cent in the current quarter as demand plunges in the US and Japan.
The company’s output, excluding its Daihatsu and Hino units, will drop to about 519,000 vehicles in the three months ending in March, compared with 1.13 million units a year ago, according to figures derived from Toyota’s latest full-year forecast.
Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco declined to confirm the figures.
The worst US car market in 28 years is forcing Toyota to widen production cuts after it slashed domestic output 23 percent in the third quarter.
The plunge in car production at Japan’s largest company is contributing to the country’s sharpest economic contraction since the 1974 oil shock.