HARD SHOULDER:TWO-THIRDS of articulated trucks on Irish roads are speeding and there has been a general fall in compliance with speed limits across all vehicle types, according to new research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The 2008 Free Speeds Study found the proportion of articulated lorries, trucks and buses breaking the vehicle specific 80km/h limit has increased on all road types; motorways, dual carriageways, and national primary and secondary roads.
"On motorways, 91 per cent of articulated vehicles were travelling at between 80km/h and 100km/h, 2 per cent travelled over 100km/h," the report found.
Less than a third of these vehicles obeyed dual carriageway speed limits.
On roads with a 50km/h limit, 68 per cent of articulated trucks were observed breaking the speed limit with 37 per cent travelling between 60km/h and 80km/h on these routes.
Time of change for Audi
AUDI'S HEAD of sales in Europe had some strong words to say about the state of the brand on the Irish market last week. Speaking at the opening of their new flagship centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Wayne Griffiths said: "Looking from the outside, the most striking thing in Ireland is a lack of focus on the brand. The Audi brand has moved on so much, with a totally different share of the market and Audi should stand on its own. It doesn't need any other brands located near it, in terms of sales or aftersales."
The message was underlined by the announcement that it was changing its network from the current 34 sales and service outlets to a dedicated 14 centres, with plans to have all the changes implemented by 2013.
Audi estimates the overall investment in the new network will be €80 million, with the operators of the 14 sites expected to contribute between €5 to €8 million each. Audi will support them via a new sponsored dealer programme. It will also increase the number of dedicated Audi staff in the network from 35 currently to over 150. Griffiths said Audi aims to be the number one premium brand in the Irish car market by 2015.
ON The Irish Times Motorspodcast this week you can hear an in-car road test of the long-awaited Renault Megane RS. The Renaultsport Megane 250 is arguably the most exciting newcomer to the hot hatch market.
This week's show also features our weekly news round-up and discussions on recalls, speed limits and the future of the people carrier.
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The podcast is available on: irishtimes.com/motors
Figure it out
170,712
The number of vehicles recalled in Ireland in 2009. These were part of 82 different recall events in the State
18,188
The number of Irish cars recalled by Toyota in the last two weeks - owners have still to receive their letters of notification
Source: Department of Transport