The ‘V-Charge’ research project has won the Auto Bild / Computer Bild 2015 Connected Car Award. Participants in the ‘V-Charge’ project in addition to Volkswagen Group Research are the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, the Technical University of Braunschweig, Robert Bosch GmbH, the University of Parma and Oxford University. The award was presented to Dr. Volkmar Tanneberger, Volkswagen Brand Head of Electrical and Electronic Development and Prof. Dr. Thomas Form, Volkswagen Group…

Adoption of truck telematics seems set to take off faster than ever before in 2016, with the UK at the forefront of latest developments. Truck manufacturers and independent telematics system suppliers report unprecedented interest from operators seeking to squeeze as much operational efficiency as possible from their vehicles. The total annual value of the global commercial vehicle telematics market will grow by no less than 22% year-on-year to US$40 billion this year, according to Statista,…

Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for the year 2015 (124,945) finished 30 per cent ahead of 2014 (96,284). That was itself a 30 per cent increase on circa 74,000 units registered in 2013. The top five selling makes were: Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, and Nissan. The top five selling models were: Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Octavia, Ford Fiesta 95.5 per…

Ford is tripling its fleet of Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicles this year – making the company’s fully autonomous vehicle fleet the largest of all automakers – and accelerating the development and testing of its virtual driver software in both urban and suburban environments. This year, Ford will add 20 Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicles, bringing the company’s autonomous fleet to about 30 vehicles being tested on roads in California, Arizona and Michigan.   “Using the…

Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for the year 2015 (124,945) finished 30 per cent ahead of 2014 (96,284). That was itself a 30 per cent increase on circa 74,000 units registered in 2013. The top five selling makes were: Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, and Nissan. The top five selling models were: Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Octavia, Ford Fiesta 95.5 per…

This week’s tips, from the Institute of Advanced Motorist’s (IAM) director of standards, Mark Lewis are advising motorists on how to cope with driving in high winds. Keep up-to-date with the latest tips and ensure your winter drive is a smooth one. Plan your journey beforehand and check for any travel disruptions that may affect you. If you can, avoid driving through country roads which are more likely to be exposed to fallen branches and…

Ireland’s auto jobs website RecruitAuto.ie, has welcomed the new unemployment figures published today which show that unemployment is continuing to fall. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the unemployment rate for December 2015 was 8.8 per cent. This is down significantly from the same period last year, when the jobless rate stood at 10.2 per cent. More than 29,000 people are back at work compared to December last year. However, this…

An Irish technology company, says its range of forward facing cameras can save help prove the user’s innocence in non-fault accident / incident situations. MKRoadSystems is currently promoting its new 3rdEye vehicle black box technology on the Ireland / UK  and European markets. MKRoadSystems says its 3rdEye vehicle black boxes are tailor-made for truck and bus operators. “3rdEye vehicle black box is the only way to prove your innocence in non fault accident / incident…

Revenue officers have shut down 134 filling stations suspected of selling diesel that had been laundered by rogue republicans along the Border, the Irish Independent has reported. The network of outlets, which covered almost every county in the State, was set up by the godfathers, who controlled the multi-million-euro racket from their Border bases. But the shutdown operation, combined with the discovery of a number of key laundering plants, has badly hit the godfathers and…

Provisional end of year road casualty figures for 2015, as of Friday, 1st January 2016, show that there were 158 fatal collisions, which resulted in 165 fatalities on Irish roads. This represents 21 (12%) fewer fatal collisions, and 28 (15%) fewer deaths compared to 2014, yet of course it is far too many. The significant decline reverses an upward trend in road deaths in 2013 (188) and 2014 (193). It is also the second lowest…