17 ways the Irish car industry will switch in 2017
January one 2017 Two:30 AM
I wonder what we will be looking back on in the rapidly-changing world of motoring this time next year. How many more technological breakthroughs will we have witnessed? How will global events influence nationally and internationally? It’s all before us but here are seventeen things I believe will unfold over the next twelve months.
1 The year will be predominated by Brexit, so get used to slew of stories about imports from the UK and pressure on car prices. I’m certain it will be a topsy-turvy year on that front.
Two Expect a gigantic level of deals for fresh cars, especially in the very first two or three months. Already there are some strong thrusts as automakers vie for crucial market share. As Brexit (there it is again) impacts, there are roped to be more. It will be a buyers’ market. Bargain hard (but fair).
Trio Used cars will most likely get cheaper because of import levels – it looks increasingly likely we will buy even more from the UK in 2017. Could we see 90,000-plus brought in (71,000 in 2016)? Is 100,000 out of the question?
Four But car prices in the UK could rise for a entire multitude of reasons (yes, Brexit is the main driver) so maybe it won’t be altogether that attractive to import after a while. I’m hedging my bets here. I still feel there will be a massive number of imports.
Five The number of crossovers and SUVs will make up a higher proportion of fresh cars bought across 2017. In a way, that is a no-brainer. It has been the case for several years now that each fresh selling period heralds another rise in the genre. I do know that the distributors of vehicles here are expecting another increase in 2017.
6 Will we eventually get a lift-off in electrical cars? Will someone in the Government eventually recognise the need for concrete activity – as well as financial incentives – to entice people to buy into the entire idea of wielding an electrical vehicle? Globally, car-makers are pushing on. Who ever thought Jaguar would make an electrified SUV (the I-PACE)?
7 Regardless of what happens on that front, most of us will proceed to buy diesel cars. There just isn’t an alternative for thousands who churn out the big (and petite) mileage each year. So it’s diesel-do for the foreseeable future.
8 Expect a bit of a rise in the choice of petrol-car options and a corresponding increase in the number of people buying one. Nothing dramatic, but it provides me with another chance to point out that it could take up to seven years of fuelling to make up the initial premium price you pay for your diesel car over the petrol one.
9 More people bought a plug-in hybrid in the past year than ever before. Manufacturers are lining up lots more, so it’s certain more people will buy one. They give you, typically, 50km solely on electrical charge, meaning you could commute without dipping into the tank during the week. Big increase on this front, I predict.
Ten ‘Ordinary’ hybrids are now accepted as part of the mainstream – about time – and more of you will buy one in 2017, if growth in two thousand sixteen is anything to go by.
11 Road-safety chiefs are deeply worried about the increase in deaths and injuries that made two thousand sixteen one of the bleakest years for some time. Expect to see a renewed clampdown on speed and breathalysing. It is, as the RSA says, all about enforcement. That’s what makes people pay attention. The Traffic Corps needs to be strengthened and backed to do the most vital job of all – help save lives.
12 More and more of you will get into a 171-reg/172-reg car on the basis of taking out a Individual Contract Plan (PCP). The growth of PCPs has been phenomenal and all the indications are there is slew of request for much, much more. Big shift from car &bashful;ownership to ‘usership’.
13 You can also bet, if I’m around, that you will get reminders about making sure you know what you are getting into. This is not negativity towards PCPs as some in the industry claim and incorrectly believe. Rather, it is intended to let people know about as many of the pluses and pitfalls that can be involved if they are not fully aware of everything to do with PCPs – or any finance deal for that matter.
14 The rate of connectivity will accelerate exponentially. People want to be ‘in touch’ with everything when they are driving. Especially the passengers. And, believe me, every fresh car will be connected in some way or another in the next few years. More and more will have even fatter spreads of technology and broader availability of in-car Wi-Fi.
15 Witness out for pressure from some &bashful;quarters for stronger taxation on diesel fuel/cars and possibly a general increase in road-tax levels. I have a feeling (bad) in my bones about this.
16 There is fairly a trend towards cars getting all-wheel-drive. It costs a few thousand more but the luxury marques such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, for example, are putting their versions into smaller saloons. People like the extra grip and traction. Big growth area in 2017, I predict.
17 Ultimately, prepare to be truly astonished at the form and design of some of the fresh cars over the next twelve months. What looks radical now will look positively conservative, especially with electrical vehicles. The Geneva Display in March will be fascinating.
17 ways the Irish car industry will switch in two thousand seventeen
17 ways the Irish car industry will switch in 2017
January one 2017 Two:30 AM
I wonder what we will be looking back on in the rapidly-changing world of motoring this time next year. How many more technological breakthroughs will we have witnessed? How will global events influence nationally and internationally? It’s all before us but here are seventeen things I believe will unfold over the next twelve months.
1 The year will be predominated by Brexit, so get used to slew of stories about imports from the UK and pressure on car prices. I’m certain it will be a topsy-turvy year on that front.
Two Expect a massive level of deals for fresh cars, especially in the very first two or three months. Already there are some strong shoves as automakers vie for crucial market share. As Brexit (there it is again) impacts, there are strapped to be more. It will be a buyers’ market. Bargain hard (but fair).
Three Used cars will very likely get cheaper because of import levels – it looks increasingly likely we will buy even more from the UK in 2017. Could we see 90,000-plus brought in (71,000 in 2016)? Is 100,000 out of the question?
Four But car prices in the UK could rise for a entire diversity of reasons (yes, Brexit is the main driver) so maybe it won’t be altogether that attractive to import after a while. I’m hedging my bets here. I still feel there will be a massive number of imports.
Five The number of crossovers and SUVs will make up a higher proportion of fresh cars bought via 2017. In a way, that is a no-brainer. It has been the case for several years now that each fresh selling period heralds another rise in the genre. I do know that the distributors of vehicles here are expecting another increase in 2017.
6 Will we ultimately get a lift-off in electrical cars? Will someone in the Government eventually recognise the need for concrete activity – as well as financial incentives – to entice people to buy into the entire idea of wielding an electrical vehicle? Globally, car-makers are pushing on. Who ever thought Jaguar would make an electrical SUV (the I-PACE)?
7 Regardless of what happens on that front, most of us will proceed to buy diesel cars. There just isn’t an alternative for thousands who churn out the big (and puny) mileage each year. So it’s diesel-do for the foreseeable future.
8 Expect a bit of a rise in the choice of petrol-car options and a corresponding increase in the number of people buying one. Nothing dramatic, but it provides me with another chance to point out that it could take up to seven years of fuelling to make up the initial premium price you pay for your diesel car over the petrol one.
9 More people bought a plug-in hybrid in the past year than ever before. Manufacturers are lining up lots more, so it’s certain more people will buy one. They give you, typically, 50km solely on electrified charge, meaning you could commute without dipping into the tank during the week. Big increase on this front, I predict.
Ten ‘Ordinary’ hybrids are now accepted as part of the mainstream – about time – and more of you will buy one in 2017, if growth in two thousand sixteen is anything to go by.
11 Road-safety chiefs are deeply worried about the increase in deaths and injuries that made two thousand sixteen one of the bleakest years for some time. Expect to see a renewed clampdown on speed and breathalysing. It is, as the RSA says, all about enforcement. That’s what makes people pay attention. The Traffic Corps needs to be strengthened and backed to do the most vital job of all – help save lives.
12 More and more of you will get into a 171-reg/172-reg car on the basis of taking out a Private Contract Plan (PCP). The growth of PCPs has been phenomenal and all the indications are there is slew of request for much, much more. Big shift from car &timid;ownership to ‘usership’.
13 You can also bet, if I’m around, that you will get reminders about making sure you know what you are getting into. This is not negativity towards PCPs as some in the industry claim and incorrectly believe. Rather, it is intended to let people know about as many of the pluses and pitfalls that can be involved if they are not fully aware of everything to do with PCPs – or any finance deal for that matter.
14 The rate of connectivity will accelerate exponentially. People want to be ‘in touch’ with everything when they are driving. Especially the passengers. And, believe me, every fresh car will be connected in some way or another in the next few years. More and more will have even thicker spreads of technology and broader availability of in-car Wi-Fi.
15 See out for pressure from some &bashful;quarters for stronger taxation on diesel fuel/cars and possibly a general increase in road-tax levels. I have a feeling (bad) in my bones about this.
16 There is fairly a trend towards cars getting all-wheel-drive. It costs a few thousand more but the luxury marques such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, for example, are putting their versions into smaller saloons. People like the extra grip and traction. Big growth area in 2017, I predict.
17 Ultimately, prepare to be truly astonished at the form and design of some of the fresh cars over the next twelve months. What looks radical now will look positively conservative, especially with electrical vehicles. The Geneva Display in March will be fascinating.