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Written by Justin Delaney, an Independent Reviewer, Journalist, and Motor expert. Maxus are no stranger to the pick up world having produced diesel versions for many years. The recipe is simple really; build a workhorse with a decent payload/towing capacity with off road capability and if you get the price point right, surely you are on to a winner! In theory this works with combustion power but can it work when you introduce an electric version only? Well, let’s find out with the Maxus T90EV. First impressions are good, I mean it looks like a like a rugged off-roader ready to take on any mission. Up front the large grill wears the Maxus logo proud whilst to the rear, modern taillights sit each side of the tailgate which is adorned by an oversized Maxus badge leaving you under no doubt what vehicle you are sitting behind. Standard equipment includes reversing camera, rear parking sensors, faux leather seats a ten-inch touchscreen and tasteful 17-inch alloy wheels. Optional extras to pick from include all-terrain tyres, tow bar, winch pack and rear bay roller cover. We were informed that Maxus also offers a subscription to ‘Maxus intelligence onboard’ that pulls live data from the vehicle such as location, speed, driver behaviour and current charge which could work well for fleet operators. Inside the T90EV is comfortable with six-way adjustable electric front seats. Some of the dash plastics are cheap to touch but in the world of pick up’s this isn’t all that uncommon. The fact that it was born as a diesel is somewhat event by the blank spots where the diesel gauge would have been or indeed the drive selector for going off road. Another unusual quirk is the key start, which is very rare for an electric vehicle! Powering the T90EV is an 88kWh battery, which provides a claimed driving range of approximately 350 kilometres. This in the real world is considerably less running the heating with low daytime temperatures, as we would later find out. Four-wheel drive is currently not available, so the T90EV gets a single 150kW motor powering the rear wheels. Setting off on our test-drive Connemara bound we got to take in a number of different roads including smooth motorway, rough back roads and mountainous passes to capitalise on some snowy scenery. On the motorway the T90EV pulls better than a diesel up to the speed limit and the cabin is quiet and well put together. Back roads however did pose an issue with the ride becoming a little more, busy to say the least. Ordinarily pick-ups do dance and buck a bit until you have weight in the rear bed to settle the leaf springs but the T90EV certainly puts the seat cushioning to the test over rough surfaces. Perhaps it’s the low-slung battery packs visible underneath. With just 19cm of clearance to the ground and a protruding rear motor, off-roading is most certainly a no go. So what can you carry or possibly pull with the T90EV? Well Maxus state a payload of up to 1,000kg and a braked towing capacity of 1,500kg. For comparison most diesel pick-ups will tow at least 3000kg. You would have to imagine fully loaded the range would suffer drastically under pressure also. So who will opt for an electric pick up and where is it best suited? For light city work the Maxus T90EV would most likely be ideal. Although not applicable in Ireland just yet it will win in emission free zones with no competition in many markets at present. If your company works in tunnels, indoors or perhaps in noise sensitive areas the T90EV will be the silent emission free workhorse providing you don’t go off road! We spent a day getting to know the T90EV and it is a perfectly acceptable vehicle if used in the right application. As we were out west it would be amiss of me not mention my return journey to Dublin and how it faired out on range. With an indicated 308 kilometre range left and a 246 kilometre journey I knew it would be tight given the freezing daytime temperatures. Once on the motorway I brought the T90EV up to the speed limit and flicked on the heating. Immediately I lost 80 kilometres of range so quickly opted to put back on my jacket! As the kilometres passed my range anxiety began to build. I reduced speed from 120km/h to 100km/h and three quarter way into my return journey, it became evident I wouldn’t make it back to Dublin. At this point the range gauge was dropping into the red but with 30 kilometres left and 20 to a charging station I figured we were safe. Moments later the vehicle limited the power to 80 kph and subsequently 60 kph for the last 10 kilometres of my journey. I suppose these are things you never find out unless you truly test a vehicle! Needless to say I made it to the charge station with 1% of battery to spare. The last 30 kilometres felt like an eternity but for some reason I was happy the T90EV limited the power like an old school fuel tank reserve, which aided me in getting to the charge point. Once plugged into the fast charger, the T90EV received 50% of its capable range in just 30 minutes while I took on board some much needed caffeine. My final jaunt to Dublin was less stressful and the T90EV was returned in one piece. The final piece of this puzzle is indeed the price. Maxus have listed the T90EV Elite specification which we tested at €75,650 including Vat and VRT. This puts it up there with, and above many of its combustion-powered competitors. The big question is, does this two-wheel drive electric pick up suit your needs or should we wait for an all wheel drive variant with a larger battery? For Rugged Looks Against Range a little short Slightly hard on the road DoneDeal hosts the widest selection of cars for sale in Ireland, with 78,000 on sale today. The vast majority of those, over 60,000, are from over 1,000 trusted local dealerships that offer certainty in your purchase through warranties History checks. One car ad is placed every minute on DoneDeal, with about 600,000 cars advertised a year. DoneDeal is Ireland's No.1 Motor Website with over 70 million car searches taking place annually. To check out DoneDeal’s range of cars from all of Ireland’s trusted car dealerships, see here. #Motors

Argo Tractors, the Italian multinational manufacturer of Landini, McCormick, and Valpadana tractors, continues its move toward a more sustainable business aimed at compliance with stringent ethical standards. The latest intervention is the connection to the grid of a solar power system installed above the production site in Fabbrico, in the province of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The panels, which cover only a portion of the total factory area, will provide a production capacity of 2,200,000 kWh per year when fully operational. The operation, which was completed in just a few months, resulted in the installation of 3,104 solar panels with an output of 1,691 kWh. “Argo Tractors continues to do its part to protect the environment”, explained Antonio Salvaterra, Marketing Director, “and in this case it is an investment that fits with our interpretation of sustainability. And we do not intend to stop here: in fact, a similar operation is being studied that will affect the plant in San Martino in Rio (RE) with plans to lay 1,024 panels to ensure an annual energy production capacity of 750,000 kWh. This is in line with the larger investments in R&D, amounting to 5.5% of annual turnover, which result in the introduction of new technologies that not only facilitate human labour but also reduce process and product costs. We have always been attentive to these issues and include them in any reflections that anticipate strategic choices”. Also part of this far-reaching eco-friendly programme are: the WaterWall project conceived to significantly reduce the use of oils through a regeneration process of cooling lubricants and also the exclusive use of water-soluble paints, which have replaced traditional solvent-based paints since the early 2000s, while maintaining a high quality standard. Not forgetting the Landini REX4 Electra prototypes, presented in 2020, and the Landini REX4 Full Hybrid, in 2022: two solutions that illustrate the interpretation of sustainable technology in both environmental and industrial terms. The REX4 Full Hybrid is energy-saving and fully electrically powered, including hydraulic pumps and operator-controlled cab air conditioning. REX4 Electra, on the other hand, is primarily focused on driving comfort and manoeuvrability, combined with energy savings through energy recovery during deceleration and braking. These are two products in the prototype stage aiming to broaden the horizon of an already very wide product range tailored to the needs of more modern and sustainable agriculture.

A report into us this week from the AA states that fuel prices have fallen to the lowest since the start of the war in Ukraine. The average petrol price across the state is €1.59, the lowest since September 2021. Diesel fuel has dropped significantly, with the average at €1.51, 9% less than last month. However, these prices are unlikely to last as a phased restoration of previously reduced rates of excise on petrol and diesel will take place in three stages over the coming months. This reintroduction of duty will see rates restored on the 1st of June by 6 cents per litre of petrol and 5 cents per litre of diesel. On the 1st of September, these rates will increase by 7 cents for petrol and 5 cents for diesel. The Government will fully restore the rates on the 31st of October with a final increase of 8 cents for petrol and 6 cents for diesel. Meanwhile, EV drivers are paying almost identical amounts this month as electricity prices remain elevated. The average EV driver is paying €1,131.04 to charge their car over the course of the year, down from €1,138.13 in the previous month. However, those that are taking advantage of Smart Meters and cheap night rates are paying as little as €421.43 to cover the same 17,000km distance. Those that are charging exclusively on public chargers could be paying up to €2,150.27 per year. With wholesale gas prices falling in recent months, EV drivers anxiously await a corresponding drop in electricity prices. Continued volatility in global markets and more long-term hedging mean these prices may take some time to pass on. The AA have also calculated a diesel car will travel, on average, around 850 km on a tank vs 700 km on petrol, which is why even though diesel is more expensive, the consumer is still likely to use less of it for the same average 17,000km per year.

The much anticipated all new Volkswagen ID.7 which will be the brand’s first global electric model for the upper mid-size class has been unveiled. The combination of ranges up to 700 kilometres (WLTP), superior powertrain, spacious interior and premium technologies makes the ID.7 a comfortable limousine for long distance travel and opens up a new segment for the ID. family. Sitting at almost five metres long, the model also has an enhanced customer-focused operating concept and a high-quality appearance. The ID.7 launch is planned for this year in Europe and China, and from 2024 in North America. The ID.7 is the first MEB model with a completely new, highly efficient drive generation. With 210 kW (286 PS), it is the most powerful and highest-torque electric drive motor in a Volkswagen ID. model so far. This power variant is used in the ID.7 independently of the chosen battery size. The power unit with the internal designation APP550 was developed together with Volkswagen Group Components in Kassel (Germany) and is also produced there. The new electric drive has been optimised above all in terms of its energy consumption. Depending on the battery sizes, it is predicted that WLTP ranges of up to 700 kilometres and charging capacities of up to about 200 kW will be possible. The ID.7 therefore underlines its long-distance suitability for frequent drivers and fleet customers. The ID.7 is almost five metres long and was designed based on aerodynamic principles. Its roof slopes elegantly to the rear in coupé style and contributes to achieving an excellent drag coefficient of about 0.23 depending on the vehicle equipment. The long wheelbase and short overhangs create plenty of space in the vehicle interior for all occupants. A new operating and display concept is introduced in the ID.7. With this, Volkswagen has reacted to feedback from its customers and improved the operating experience in relevant areas. This includes the following features as standard: − a 38-centimetre (15-inch) infotainment system screen − the augmented reality head-up display − a new air conditioning operating concept integrated on the top level of the infotainment system as well as freely assignable favourites buttons − a backlit touch slider With the new massage seats and the electronically dimmable panoramic sunroof, the ID.7 offers equipment options that are otherwise present only in the higher classes of premium competitors. The new panoramic sunroof with smart glass can be switched between opaque and transparent settings by touch control. Like many other functions in the ID.7, the roof can also be operated by means of natural voice commands – this takes place using the new IDA voice assistant. The optional front seats are also a new development: for the first time in a Volkswagen, they optionally offer adaptive seat Climatronic – with cooling or heating as required and also a drying function. A massage function with a seal of approval from the German Campaign for Healthier Backs (AGR) is also available. The range of options is rounded off by a 700-watt sound system from Harman Kardon: 14 high-end loudspeakers, including centre speaker at the front and subwoofer in the luggage compartment, provide an impressive sound experience with the new Volkswagen limousine. The Travel Assist with swarm data can take over lateral and longitudinal control of the ID.7 as needed. Volkswagen developed this feature together with CARIAD, the software company of the VW Group. If desired, the ID.7 can also use Travel Assist to support assisted lane changing on the multi-lane motorway at speeds above 90 km/h. The driver monitors this, but the strain of driving is significantly reduced. When it comes to parking, the electric Volkswagen can independently perform assisted manoeuvres in different ways. One of these is parking with memory function over a distance of up to 50 metres. For this, the driver either remains sitting in the ID.7 or monitors the parking procedure from outside the vehicle using the smartphone app. The new ID.7 is one of ten new electric models that will be launched by Volkswagen by 2026. This year alone sees the introduction of the new ID.3, the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and the ID.7. An electric compact SUV and the production version of the ID. 2 all at a price of less than 25,000 euros are planned for 2026. This will give the car manufacturer the widest range of electric vehicles compared with its competitors. The new ID.7 will be produced in the Volkswagen plant in Emden (Germany) for the European and North American markets. In China, the corresponding ID.7 models will be produced locally.

Written by Justin Delaney, an Independent Reviewer, Journalist, and Motor expert. We were recently afforded the opportunity to join Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) on a trip to Spain to learn more about the inbound BYD (Build Your Dreams) brand. For those of you not aware, MDL have successfully distributed Mercedes-Benz passenger and commercial vehicles here in Ireland since 1955. They have vast experience working with a number of brands over the years and no doubt have somewhat changed the landscape in Ireland for how vehicles enter the country, and go to market. Now excitement levels are once again palpable, as the company becomes the BYD National Dealer and Partner in the Republic of Ireland. So who are BYD we hear you ask and furthermore why haven’t we heard much about this brand to date? Well, describing itself as ‘a global innovator of pioneering battery technology, and creator of some of the world’s most technologically advanced electric vehicles’, BYD has held top place in China for sales of new energy passenger vehicles for 10 years in a row. The company was founded in 1995 with a workforce of 20 people and now employs 600,000 people across the automotive, rail transit, new energy, and electronics divisions. Conquering the Chinese market with a population of over 1.4 Billion was indeed their first steps in the Automotive sector but now with new European headquarters in the Netherlands, the BYD Group are making a further commitment to deliver sustainable, safe and efficient new electric vehicles for the European market. So what sort vehicles are we talking about here and what are they like to drive? First to Irish market will be the C-Segment SUV offering called the ATTO 3. This neat little SUV is built on the company’s e-Platform 3.0 and comes with high levels of standard equipment, technology and safety. Using the incredibly advanced Blade Battery power unit powering a 60.5kWh motor, the 204hp ATTO 3 can blast from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds and cover 420km on a single charge. This gives you a WLTP combined figure of 15.6kWh per 100km of energy consumption, which is pretty impressive. There are three driving modes to include Eco, Normal and Sport driving with two different levels of brake energy regeneration that are both pretty mild. All BYD’s have a high-efficiency integrated heat pump as a standard. We took in a 90-minute test drive over Catalonia’s mountainous back roads and found the ATTO 3 a pleasure to drive. Yes you get the usual bongs, beeps and lane monitoring software that can be somewhat overkill but everything is configurable through the ‘easy to use’ large central 12.8-inch touch screen which can also be rotated 90-degrees at the touch of a button. The visibility is great with the faux leather seats offering comfort and support on par with any of the European rivals. That support was needed also because we found the ATTO 3 had a tendency to torque steer a little when pushed on coming out of a corner. Further inspection revealed the car was indeed on winter tyres having spent some time recently with the media in Germany. With that said, we trust the vehicle would be perfectly compliant on normal rubber giving the fact that it was 24 degrees with road temperatures no doubt higher! Next to hit the Irish market towards the back end of 2023 will be the Dolphin with a range of 427 km. This vehicle is slightly smaller in stature and will mark the entry point into BYD ownership. Pre production models were available for us to test drive and through a slalom style track session, we got to experience the Dolphin under hard acceleration, braking and cornering. Using the same powertrain as the ATTO 3 it felt very similar and surefooted on Continental Tyres even when driven spiritedly. Cabin space was plentiful in the front and rear even with four 6-footers on board. It’s hard not to notice that the interior design oozes a certain charm from the “Ocean Aesthetics” which BYD take seriously in their vehicles. Looking at he bigger pictures it is BYD’s ambition to cool the earth by a degree in temperature and indeed to help clean our oceans by harvesting and using as many recycled sustainable materials in production. The cobalt-free Blade Batteries use Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) as its cathode material, which offers a much higher level of safety over conventional lithium-ion batteries. LFP has inherently excellent thermal stability in any conditions, which we found out with our next test drive of the SEAL. The SEAL is undoubtedly the best looking machine in the BYD family at present. It takes styling cues from a number of vehicles but somehow blends them into a uniquely BYD package which the brand should be very proud of. The SEAL implements something called Cell-to-Body (CTB) technology, which fully integrates the BYD 82kWh Blade Battery into the floor pan structure and enhances the vehicle's safety. This naturally gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity and crash tests have proved it is incredibly safe. There will be a rear wheel drive only version with 313hp or the dual motor all wheel drive variant with 530hp and range of between 520 km to 570 km. Our first taste of the good-looking SEAL was on track doing the 0-100km/h sprint. The rear of the car wears a badge that states 3.8S which some might think refers to engine size but it is indeed the time it takes to reach 100km/h from a standing start. We took great pleasure in putting this to the test numerous times and the performance never dropped with the SEAL recording the sprint in 3.8 seconds and in some cases lower! Cabin and build quality look and feel as good as any electric vehicle on the market from not just our American friends but also the current German offerings. Boot space of 402 litres and a 53-litre frunk in the front end of the car makes it super practical to live with. MDL expect to see this vehicle in 2024 but such is the pace from BYD and how they do business, don’t be surprised if they do make it to Ireland later this year! Just to give you an example of their determination, BYD were not happy with possible logistic partner offerings and price hikes so they purchased 6 cargo vessels at a cost of $700-million to transport up to 7,700 vehicles each to the markets they are now operating in. They have now built over 3-million electric vehicles and operate in over 400 cities across 70 countries and regions on 6 continents. It’s slightly difficult to comprehend the size, scale and pace they are working at but all we can say is, watch this space. The Irish EV market looks set to change and it’s about to get very interesting! At the time of writing a number of ATTO 3’s have arrived into the country. Like always we will do a full comprehensive review on each model after spending some time on familiar roads. All cars will have a least two trim levels to choose from and pricing on each, will be confirmed in the not to distant future.

Kia recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its dedicated plant for the production of battery-electric purpose-built vehicles (PBV). The ceremony was held at Kia’s Hwaseong plant, located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, and was attended by over 200 people, including government officials, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Kia’s Global President and CEO Ho Sung Song, and other employees from Hyundai Motor Group and the automotive parts industry. Kia will invest around one trillion won (approximately USD 758 million) to secure 99,000 acres of land, with the company planning to start mass-production in the second half of 2025. It plans to produce 150,000 units in the first full year, with the potential to expand in line with future market conditions. The new PBV plant will be built as an eco-friendly plant that applies future innovative manufacturing technologies while minimising carbon emissions. It will also seek efficiency and intelligence with Hyundai Motor and Kia’s smart factory brand ‘E-FOREST technologies’* such as digital manufacturing systems. One of the innovative manufacturing processes to be implemented at the new PBV plant is known as the ‘cellular (or cell) method,’ which allows vehicle production based on diverse customer demands. The cell method is a process layout strategy that groups together machines or workstations that are used to produce similar products or parts. The goal of the cell method is to create a more efficient and flexible manufacturing process by reducing the distance that materials and products need to travel during production. Under the cell method, machines are arranged in a way that optimises the flow of materials and products between workstations, with the aim of minimising downtime, reducing costs and increasing productivity. The PBV plant’s cutting-edge manufacturing system unifies the new cell method with the original mass-production conveyor system to allow flexible production with more customisation of various product types. In addition, the PBV plant will be built as a low-carbon factory by operating a dry booth, a nature-friendly construction method, during the painting process of vehicle manufacturing, and reducing carbon emissions by about 20 per cent compared to existing factories by utilising natural light and streamlining the manufacturing process. Kia will also apply innovative technologies such as automation of facilities using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), automation of painting quality inspection under the vehicle, automation of installation of parts such as glass, vehicle name, and company logo, and real-time automatic measurement quality data analysis to autonomously correct and install the vehicle body in real time. The new facility will be a ‘human-friendly’ plant by pushing automation in heavy-duty work and tasks that require looking up at the ceiling, while enhancing the feeling of ‘openness’ and also reducing noise levels. Kia plans to show SW (project name), the first model in the company’s dedicated PBV line-up, in 2025. The model will be a mid-sized PBV and will be based on the “eS” platform, a dedicated skateboard platform for battery electric PBVs, enabling various types of vehicle bodies to be flexibly combined. SW has been developed to respond to various business demands such as delivery, ride hailing, and business-to-business (B2B) transactions thanks to its excellent load structure and spacious indoor space that reaches the height of an adult. After launching the mid-sized SW PBV, Kia plans to expand its product line-up to large-sized PBVs that can be used for logistics, fresh food delivery, multi-seat shuttles, and mobile offices and stores as well as small-sized PBVs and mid-sized robotaxis applied with autonomous driving technology. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Hyundai Motor Group also outlined its aim to become one of the world’s top three EV manufacturers by 2030 through the combined sales of Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis electric models. The Group also announced that it plans to significantly expand the annual EV production in Korea to 1.51 million units and global volume to 3.64 million units by 2030. To enable such plans, Hyundai Motor and Kia, alongside with Hyundai MOBIS, plan to invest KRW 24 trillion (approximately 18 billion USD) in the EV sector domestically. In 2030, Hyundai Motor Group will have a total line-up of 31 EV models, including models from Hyundai Motor, Kia, and luxury brand Genesis. Kia will launch EV9, its first three-row seat electric flagship SUV, this year and Hyundai Motor plans to launch the IONIQ 7 in 2024. Hyundai Motor Group’s large-scale investment aims to upgrade Korea’s EV ecosystem and strengthen its role as a hub for driving innovation in the global future automotive industry. It is also expected to promote a virtuous cycle of domestic EV production, R&D, infrastructure, and related industries.

Exciting news for those considering purchasing an EV as Renault Ireland together with its 33 dealerships has announced a new competitive offer on the already popular and award winning all new Megane E-Tech 100% electric. Megane E-Tech electric is the first of a new generation of electric vehicles built on the advanced CMF-EV platform, styled within the brand’s ‘sensual tech’ design language and the first model to wear the new ‘Nouvel’R’ logo. With an electric driving range of up to 450km (WLTP), all new Megane E-Tech 100% electric also features a class-leading digital experience with a 12.3-inch dashboard display, 9-inch multimedia display, and Android Automotive OS with integrated Google services. With up to 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features available across the range the model also has a 5 star NCAP rating. Megane E-Tech electric is available with a 60kWh battery with 450km range, a 220hp electric motor, 130 kW DC charging and also a 40kWh battery with 300km range, a 130hp electric motor, and 85 kW DC charging with 22kW AC charging standard on all versions. Three trim lines are available - Equilibre, Techno, and Launch Edition. With the SEAI grant available for electric vehicles being reduced from €5,000 to €3,500 from July 1st customers looking to purchase a Megane E-Tech electric can still save by availing of a reduced APR of 4.9% (down from 5.9%) on all cars ordered by 30th June and registered by 31st July. As part of this offer the max GMFV will also be increased to 50%, giving customer savings in their monthly finance payments of almost €2,000 over the finance term. As one of the few manufacturers not to have increased the price of electric vehicles in 2023, Renault has also announced that it will push out any price increase to the 1st of June. This offer will be welcome by customers looking to switch to electric or upgrade their EV and will be further enhanced at Renault’s 33 dealerships where in-house offers will be available. Customers can ask their local Renault dealer about specific offers including the option of a home charger, boosted trade-in or lower rate finance. Dealerships are also offering 24-hour test drives for customers looking at purchasing a Megane E-Tech electric. Prices for customers, including the €5,000 SEAI grant, start at €37,495 for the 40kWh versions and €41,995 for the 60kWh versions. Renault’s in-house bank, Mobilize Financial Services offer PCP from €249 per month with 4.9% APR. Customers can ask their local Renault dealer for specific additional offers. Customers looking to get more information on all new Megane E-Tech 100% electric offer can log on to www.donedeal.ie and check out our trusted Renault Dealers.

David Gillespie milks a herd of 125 British-Friesian type cows alongside his farm manager Ambrose near Naas, Co. Kildare. The farm has experienced a number of changes in recent years, with the herd transitioning from a year round production system to a spring milk production system. While this transition has led to a reduction in herd size, from 140 to 125 cows, David's plan is to expand the herd to its original size in the future. The most recent development on the farm has been the construction of a new 16-unit Swiftflo Swing Dairymaster milking parlour. The farm has moved from a 10-unit milking parlour to the 16-unit Swiftflo Swing milking parlour, which includes: • Swiftflo pulse and indicator; • Automatic cluster removers (ACR’s); • ClusterCleanse; • Diversion line; • Swiftflo mangers; • Electronic feeders; • Autowasher; and • CoolControl tank. Work-life balance in Co.Kildare David works off-farm full-time, so creating a better work-life balance was an essential consideration when updating the farm's milking infrastructure. David said: "Our old parlour was a 10-unit parlour that was built in the 1960s with a lot of other sheds built around it, so expanding it wasn't possible." "With me having an off-farm job I looked at robots, but they would need someone there all the time - which didn't suit my situation. " "Instead I decided on a parlour, but one that was easy to milk in and also efficient. " "We built the new parlour in an existing shed, with the parlour now located in the old machinery shed." ''We installed a 16-unit Swiftflo Swing parlour with room for 20, if we decide in the future it is needed." "It has been a massive jump forward for the farm, the old parlour was from the 1960's so it was very basic." Continuing, David said: "There were two main reasons as to why we looked at a new parlour. "The first being milk storage; we couldn't fit a bigger tank in the space we had and it was also struggling to cool the milk. " "The second was getting staff and keeping cows happy. The old parlour was awkward to operate, had a low roof and got very hot in the summer. " "It is a lot easier for whoever is milking, it also has future-proofed the farm," he said. Ease of milking The transition into the new parlour has been a big change for David and Ambrose. Giving some insight, David said: "It is just so much easier, no matter who is milking." "Anyone can jump in and do the milking and you don't have to worry about mastitis spreading from cow to cow. " "The Swiftflo pulse and indicator have been good for detecting cows with reduced yields. " "We have also found the electronic feeders great, you can easily adjust the amount of concentrates being fed to cows." Continuing, David said: "Having ACR's makes things just so easy, there's no panic. " "You can milk at your ease; in the old parlour you were always rushing to make sure you weren't over milking cows. We have a massive improvement in udder health because of this. " "Cell count was always fairly good in the old parlour, but it has decreased more in the new parlour. " "We have the ClusterCleanse on all the time and we are now getting average cell counts in 60,000 cells/ml to 70,000 cells/ml. " "The cluster is always clean going onto cows, which means no bacteria is being passed on." Reduced milking time Working full-time, farming and balancing family can be difficult, so reducing milking time and increasing efficiency was important to David. "You can milk very quickly in the parlour when needs be, if you have something on you know you'll be finished within an hour and a half," he said. 'We installed the Autowasher on the parlour, which means once you have finished milking and washed up you are done. " "You're not waiting around for the wash to finish and you know it has been done correctly no matter who's milking. " "The bottom fill on the tank has also been great, by the time you've finished milking the milk is cool. "That was a major issue in the old parlour, we had two milk tanks and they were always struggling to cool the milk." The biggest change on the farm, since the installation of the new parlour David said, is the reduction in stress. "It's stress-free, the old parlour was levers and taps - where the new parlour is just push a button," he said. "You’re in and out of the cows much quicker and no matter who's milking you know that it has been done correctly." Click here to find our more information about Dairymaster's milking parlours.

Prices continue to grow in 2023, with total car price inflation now at 77.5% since the start of the pandemic. DoneDeal’s Motor Price Index is the result of independent third Party economic analysis of DoneDeal’s data by economist Tom Gillespie. Download the full report here Strong price growth so far in 2023 As we approached the end of 2022, quarterly price inflation in the used car market slowed considerably to a 3-year low of 1.4%, signalling a slow down in the acute inflationary period observed since the start of the pandemic and the onset of Brexit. This slowdown at the end of 2022 resulted from weak demand and a modest recovery in supply. Slowdown in demand at the end of the calendar year is typical in Ireland as consumers wait for the new year to take advantage of the relative price drop at the start of the calendar year. The outlook for 2023 was therefore somewhat uncertain: was the slowdown in demand part of the normal cyclicality of demand, or was it a sign of a longer trend of reduced consumer spending? Figures for the first three months of 2023 are in stark contrast to the previous quarter as strong consumer demand saw prices grow by 4.6% since Q4 2022. This increase in demand in Q1 means that the annual rate of inflation now stands at 13.2%, down from 26.6% in Q1 of last year. When we take the total price growth since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, prices are now 77.5% higher. Supply & Demand on DoneDeal: An in-depth analysis of ad view trends on DoneDeal gives an insight into consumer demand over the past two years and sheds light on the reason for the continued growth in prices. Between December 2022 and March 2023, monthly growth in demand was significant, increasing by 21% in January and 15.5% in February. The more modest 5.3% increase in the supply of cars was likely not enough to meet demand, leading to a relatively strong price growth in Q1. The increase in prices was observed in both ends of the market, with the difference in inflation in the lower and upper ends of the market being quite similar; 6.1% and 5.1%, respectively. Share of imported cars from the UK continues to fall: This increase in demand has also been translated into an increase in new car registrations: In Q1 of 2023, 58,107 new cars were registered, representing an increase of 16.5% compared to the same period a year ago (SIMI). Imports also increased by 6.4% to a total of 12,385 in Q1 (the first annual increase since 2019). The share of used cars being imported from the UK fell to a new low of 32.7%, this is in stark contrast to Q1 of 2020, when the share of all imported used cars coming from the UK was 93.6%. Overall, used car imports to Ireland are down 53.5% in the first 3 months of 2023 when compared to the first three months of 2019. Encouraging signs for Electric Vehicles & Hybrids: The share of new EV registrations continues to grow in 2023. In Q1, 9,303 new EVs were registered in Ireland, representing an almost 50% increase compared to the same period last year. EVs and hybrid cars now account for 44.6% of new cars registered in Ireland, this compares to just 18% in 2020 and 6.2% in 2018 (SIMI). The number of new EVs has grown considerably in Ireland in the past few years from just 1,233 in 2018, to 4,013 in 2020, and then 15,676 in 2022. The boost in EV registrations in the past three years is now starting to trickle into the used car market. Q1 of 2023 saw a major boost in the stock of used EVs listed on DoneDeal (approximately 1,500 ads), almost triple the number of listings compared to any three month period in 2022. This growth in supply seems to have had a stabilising effect on prices: Q1 saw used EV prices decrease by 0.7%. The steady transition of new EVs into the used car market is an encouraging sign from an environmental policy perspective, as an increase in supply should make EVs more affordable and encourage people to transition. It is hoped that the charging infrastructure development will keep in line with the increased number of EVs on the road, especially in rural Ireland, where car emissions per person are highest. Methodology DoneDeal is the largest car marketplace in Ireland, listing 9 out of 10 cars advertised online from car dealerships in Ireland. Economist Tom Gillespie analysed over 5m of DoneDeal’s vehicle listings from 2011-2023 using hedonic regression analysis to isolate pricing inflation associated with vehicles after controlling for mileage, age, and other vehicle attributes. All of DoneDeal's reports are based on data associated with the car, its fuel type, its location, make, model, etc. We then aggregate the Ad views or enquiries made on that specific ad. We do not use cookies or users' personal data to form any part of our analysis.

Ford Pro have revealed the new Ranger Wildtrak X and Ranger Tremor – two exciting off-road focused models for the best-selling pickup’s most comprehensive line-up ever in Europe. Targeting customers who require enhanced capability in challenging off-road conditions, both models feature a substantially reworked chassis with unique suspension upgrades including advanced Bilstein dampers as standard. Off-road focused driver assistance systems provide enhanced confidence, while the two new Ranger variants possess a rugged new style that reflects their prowess in tough conditions. Ranger Wildtrak X and Tremor offer the segment-first Flexible Rack System option to maximise load-carrying ability for longer items. The easy-to-use system will also be available as an option for Ranger Wildtrak. The introduction of Ranger Wildtrak X and Tremor follows Ranger’s best-ever sales performance in Europe last year. A record market share of 44.9 per cent and year-on-year share growth of 18 per cent capped eight consecutive years of segment leadership. Order books for both new models open from April 2023, with deliveries set from August 2023. Ranger Wildtrak X Ranger Wildtrak X builds on the Wildtrak model with a 26 mm ride height increase and 30 mm wider track width for sure-footedness on rugged terrain. 2 Standard Bilstein high-performance position‑sensitive dampers provide the right amount of damping force throughout their travel to enhance off-road ability without compromising on-road performance. An uprated heavy-duty power steering system and a protective steel bash plate deliver even more confidence off-road. Standard new off-road technologies include Trail Turn Assist, 3 which uses brake-based torque vectoring to reduce turning radius by up to 25 per cent when tight turns are needed. Trail Control 3 operates in a similar way to cruise control: the driver can select a speed below 32 km/h and the vehicle will automatically manage acceleration and braking to maintain the selected speed while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain. Ford’s proven 2.0-litre EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine powers the Wildtrak X, 4 producing 500 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm and 205 PS paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. An advanced new full-time four-wheel drive system with a reassuring set-and-forget mode is standard, designed to deliver capability when and where customers need it. Ranger Wildtrak X sends a powerful visual message with a wider stance, underbody protection and increased ground clearance compared to the existing Wildtrak. Its distinctive look is further enhanced by a unique Asphalt Black grille surround and bumper H-bar, wheel arch trim and rear bumper. Optional matrix LED headlamps with auxiliary lamps in the grille deliver optimum visibility. Chunky Wildtrak X badges, blacked-out Ford ovals and matching black 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain white-lettered tyres complete the more hardcore off-road styling. Inside, occupants benefit from unique Miko suede-trimmed seats with exclusive Wildtrak X embroidery, supported by soft-touch Terra suede with contrast Cyber Orange stitching on the upper dashboard, door trims and centre console. Built-in connectivity as standard to FordPass 5 and Ford Pro services such as FORDLiive enhance the ownership experience. Ranger Tremor The new Ranger Tremor 4 is based on the hard-working Ranger XLT and shares the chassis and technology upgrades as well as the new all-wheel drive system from Wildtrak X to suit customers who desire confident off-road ability. The revised suspension geometry helps to create a tougher, more planted stance, enhanced by the increased track and extended arch mouldings. A distinctive long-leg tubular sports bar is fitted as standard and defines Ranger Tremor’s adventurous look, while cast aluminium side steps and exposed twin front tow hooks continue the function-led styling. Unique Boulder Grey exterior details and a darkened grille complete the model’s bold, distinctive appearance. Ranger Tremor’s seats and floor feature water-resistant, easily-cleaned vinyl trim. An optional pre-wired overhead switch pack offers six inputs for winches, LED light bars and other equipment – which can be ordered via a Ford dealership or through the online Ford Shop. Segment-first Flexible Rack System Both Ranger Wildtrak X and Tremor can be specified with Ford’s innovative new Flexible Rack System. 6 The unique feature’s folding roof rack and adjustable sliding rear load hoop allow long items to be carried above the roof rather than wedged between the tailgate and cab. This improves load security and frees up the load bed for other items. Flexible Rack System will also be available as an option for Ranger Wildtrak series from March 2023.

Good news for Renault as the group have recorded a strong finish to the first quarter of 2023 and is on the podium at 9.3% market share year to date. Mobilize Financial Services (MFS) lent €26 million last month with lending in the first quarter at €78 million, up 50% on the same time last year. This has been driven by an increase in Renault Group registrations and an increase in the mix of their PCP business which has been bolstered by the introduction of more flexible terms to customer agreements. Renault’s award winning vans continued to perform well and are now positioned in second place year to date with 17.8% market share. Renault Master maintains its number one position in the LCV market year to date and Trafic comes in at number two in its segment. Renault’s all new Kangoo, which won International Van of the Year 2022, is coming in at number two in its segment, having just arrived in this quarter. Dacia’s popularity continues as the brand’s sales are up 120% year to date. Currently at 8th position overall year to date, Dacia’s models continue to attract the Irish value-conscious customer with Duster sales up 94% and Sandero the second best-selling car in its segment . Duster also moved to number six in the popular C-SUV market and all new Jogger, the most affordable 7-seater, is the second best selling in this segment in Ireland year to date. After a very positive quarter 1, Renault Group goes into the second half of the year with strong supply and stock available across all core models. To visit our trusted Renault and Dacia network of dealers please log on to www.donedeal.ie

After the SIMI car sales report we brought to you earlier this week it was interesting to see Volkswagen’s ID.4 has become Ireland’s all-time, best-selling electric vehicle. The SUV officially became the country’s number one electric vehicle of all-time last weekend with Volkswagen Ireland selling a total of 5,876* ID.4s, so far. First introduced here in March 2021, the ID.4 quickly won admirers among early adopters and motorists looking for more sustainable means of transport. It was the best-selling Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in its first year on sale and has remained at the top of the sales charts ever since. A strong start to 2023, with ID.4 registrations up 134% on the same time last year, has once again positioned it as the most popular electric vehicle in the country year-to-date with 16% of total EV market share. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is well on course to becoming Ireland’s undisputed BEV leader for the third year running, commanding a 22% market share in the first quarter of 2023. Rodolfo Calixto, Volkswagen Brand Director for Ireland, said: “The outstanding popularity of the ID.4 cannot be attributed to one single element. It is down to a combination of factors, such as timeless design, outstanding electric range, unbeatable sustainability as well as class-leading comfort and space. Becoming the all-time leading electric vehicle is an important milestone. But, here at Volkswagen Ireland we refuse to rest on our laurels. We are investing more into electric vehicles than any other brand and are determined to position ourselves as the world’s leader in electro mobility. Records such as this are recognition that our New Auto strategy is paying off but the real hard work lies ahead of us as we journey towards full carbon neutrality.” Volkswagen’s ID. Family first came to Ireland in 2020 with the introduction of the ID.3. The ID.4 became the second model in the ID. line up when it was launched here in March 2021. It went on to win the coveted World Car of the Year title in its first year on sale and has been the country’s best-selling electric vehicle ever since. The ID.4 range is now more readily available than ever. For instance, the ID.4 Pure with 52kWh battery is available from just €289 per month with 3.9% APR PCP finance. The growing ID. Family also includes the design-focused ID.5 Coupe SUV and the Irish Car of the Year winning ID. Buzz. It is set to expand further this year with the launch of the brand new ID.7 saloon, which arrives here in the winter promising stunning contemporary looks, state-of-the art infotainment and a 700km WLTP electric range. According to latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), sales of EVs are up 49% year to date. EVs now account for 16% of new cars registered in the Republic (compared with 13% this time last year) as increasing numbers of buyers transition to more sustainable forms of transport. Last month, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume announced plans to invest €180bn over the next four years, two thirds of which has been allocated to further electrification and digitalisation. Volkswagen Ireland’s range of all-electric ID. Cars is available to test drive today at your local Volkswagen retailer and more information on any model can be found online or through our trusted dealer network on www.donedeal.ie