At just under 125,000 new cars sold here last year (the new car market in the UK saw sales of over two million for the same 12-month period), it’s surprising that Ireland continues to sustain the number of manufacturers and distributors that it does.
Yet, competition will continue to remain keen on the Irish market in the coming year, especially with the continued growth of Chinese brands that are sold at competitive prices and well-equipped with standard features.
In a relatively short period of time, they have been piling pressure on European car companies and on Tesla, also.
Leapmotor – the latest Chinese arrival in Ireland – will begin further expansion of its range with a compact city SUV called the B03X that has a 67.1 kWh battery and a claimed range of 460 kilometres.
The car is 4.2 metres long and 1.6 metres high and is expected to feature a comprehensive list of standard features, including safety features. It’s expected to arrive here in the second half of the year.
Peugeot, part of the same Stellantis Group that has a holding in Leapmotor, will launch a facelift version of its 408 – a car with bold and even brave design language. It will come with three power options – fully electric, plug-in and mild hybrid.
The changes are mainly cosmetic, with new LED lights front and rear, illuminated Peugeot lettering on the rear, newly improved graphics for interior screens and a reworked grille and front bumper. The electric version has a claimed range of 456 kilometres from a 58.2 kWh battery.
Contrary to some expectations, Kia’s new EV will not resemble its close relation, the Hyundai Inster, in either looks, dimensions, or price. It’s going to be a bigger car with more space.
It will have a choice of batteries, from 42.2 KwH, with a claimed range of 317 kilometres, to a 61 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 448 kilometres.
The interior will, like current Kia models, feature a three-screen layout – a 5.3″ climate control cluster and two 12.3″ screens for driver information and infotainment. There is a 403 litre boot.
With the Inster starting price at around €20,000, the bigger ERV will likely retail alongside Renault’s new 4 EV at nearer €30,000.
Mazda has launched the CX 6e mid-sized SUV with a 78 kWh battery and a claimed range of 484 kilometres.
It’s a biggish car with a 2.9 metre wheelbase. Mazda says the car will charge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity, but provided you’re connected to a 195 kWh charger – not readily available in Ireland.
In the next few days, Volvo will release details of its new XC 90, which the company says has achieved (in one test) a range of over 800 kilometres on a single charge. We’ll bring you more information on it as soon as we have it.
Finally, a reminder that a claimed range from car companies is just that. Depending on a variety of factors, there can be quite a discrepancy in the real world.