REVIEW I

After a two year Covid-19 enforced hiatus, the National Ploughing Championships were back with a renewed vigour for 2022. Returning to the same Ratheniska site in County Laois as used previously, a total of 277,000 people thronged the walkways, stands and exhibition areas for the three day rural extravaganza, a number which included a record one day attendance of 115,000 on the second day.

While some prominent brands from previous ‘Ploughings’ were absent this year, plenty of motoring, transport and machinery exhibitors took the opportunity to showcase their latest products. Fleet Transport was there to get a flavour of what was on show.

INEOS

Launching in Ireland at the Ploughing was the INEOS brand with the new -renadier, a rugged 4x4 designed for on and off-road terrain. Available in 2 seat and 5-seat N1 Commercial specs as well as more passenger oriented 5 seater versions, the Grenadier is distributed in Ireland through Orangeworks Automotive with a showroom at Carton House in Maynooth. Managing Director Dave Bassett was very pleased with the high interest in the new off-roader which is built in France.

gOWAN AUTO

The Gowan Group had a major presence at the Ploughing Championships, with seven of the nine brands it distributes in Ireland represented.

DS AUTOMOBILES

The all-new DS4, just arriving into Ireland, was the main attraction on the DS stand, while the DS7 also had plenty of interest from visitors. Marketing Executive Mark Brennan was on hand with all the information about the growing French marque.

CITROëN

Star of the Citroën stand was the striking new C5 X available in petrol and hybrid versions, while the company also had its full range of commercial vehicles on display. Keeping interested visitors informed were Marketing Executive Cathal Lannigan, new Marketing Manager Trevor Hunt, and Managing Director of Citroën Ireland, Colin Sheridan.

FIAT, FIAT PROFESSIONAL & JEEP

Since coming under the Gowan Auto network as well as now being part of the Stellantis Group globally, the three former FCA brands are experiencing a surge in growth in Ireland, with new dealers being appointed and new products generating fresh interest. Senior Multibrand Marketing Executive for FCA-Honda, Jennifer Moran, and Zone Sales Manager for Fiat Professional, Philip Cullen were pictured alongside the newly launched Fiat Scudo mid-sized van, while the Fiat 500e and Jeep Compass PHEV were also attracting a lot of interest.

PEUgEOT

The new 308 took centre stage on Peugeot’s stand with the all-electric e-Partner also garnering a lot of interest. Digital & CRM Manager at Peugeot Ireland, Ciaran Cusack was the go to man on the stand.

OPEL

The new Movano large van and the stylish new Astra brought visitors to the Opel display. Representing the brand were Emma Toner, Marketing Director Opel Ireland, Stephen Briggs, Dealer Principal, Opel Mullingar, Alexis Moore, Retail Network Development Manager, Opel Ireland, Denise McNally, Sales Distribution Administrator, Opel Ireland, Kim Cummins, Cummins Motor Group, Portlaoise, Patrick Costigan, Area Sales Manager, Opel Ireland and Ken McKinley, Aftersales Development Manager, Opel Ireland.

TOYOTA

Naturally the Land Cruiser, a firm favourite with the farming community, was the star of Toyota’s stand - after a period of unavailability the company was pleased to advise that it now has a supply of new Land Cruiser Commercials in the country. Also gathering a lot of interest was the new Proace City Electric. Keeping the visitors updated were Toyota Ireland’s Lauren Hennessy and Carol Hughes.

IM gROUP - SUBARU & ORA

Two all-new products attracted a huge amount of interest on IM Group’s site. One was the Subaru Solterra, the first all-electric offering from the Japanese manufacturer. Arguably the star of the show though was the rather wonderfully named Funky Cat. It’s an electric offering from Chinese brand ORA, part of Great Wall Motors which will be familiar to Irish people through the pick-ups sold here for a number of years. Managing Director Pat Ryan explained that the Funky Cat will be priced from €32,000 after grants, and there will be a choice of two battery sizes of 48kW and 63kW with respective ranges of 300km and 420km. Three dealers in Dublin, Cork and Limerick are lined up to sell ORA vehicles.

SORTIMO

The van racking system specialist had a number of its dealers and outfitters on stand displaying the broad range of products available. David Keogh of Pro Van, Cork, and Donal O’Sullivan and Charlie Begin of Vanfit Solutions Ltd offered expert advice to visitors.

CARBERY PLASTICS

The leading manufacturer of liquid storage solutions had a selection of products on display including a new liquid fertiliser transport tank. Jill Turner and Pio Ronan were busy demonstrating over the three days.

Among the items displayed on the Brigade Electronics stand was a MAN TGX fitted with Brigade’s 3 camera MDR digital recording system, Cornerscan ultrasonic detection system and Backchat left turn audible warning alarm. Raza Bajalan, Paul Collins, Chris Ewing, Mark Lee and Jordan Jenkinson were showcasing the technology.

MODERN TYRES

Shane Byrne, Darragh Byrne, Jamie Burns and Tommy Kinsella were providing expert advice to stand visitors to Ireland’s largest retail tyre company and specialist in tyres, brakes, batteries, exhausts and wheel alignments.

MANITOU

The French manufacturer of forklifts, cherry pickers, telehandlers and other heavy equipment is celebrating 50 years in 2022. Kevin Shannon, Roy Graham, Glyn Wallace, Robert Shannon, Rebecca Harris and Callum Lowrie were marking the occasion. The Dundalk-based, world-wide renowned manufacturer of truck mounted forklifts had a selection of its products on display including the eSeries NX electric forklift. Gareth O’Reilly, Martin Kellett, Edel Moroney and Michael O’Reilly kept stand visitors updated on all the latest technology.

BRIDgESTONE

As well as products for the agriculture sector, the Japanese tyre manufacturer showcased its range of truck and trailer tyres. Cathal Murtagh, Conor Burns, Shane Landers, Ger McNamara and Colm Conyngham represented the brand.

gLEESON STEEL & ENgINEERINg / gLEESON TRUCk BODIES

Reporting a busy and successful show were David O’Brien and Tomás Gleeson of the Thurles, County Tipperary based steel fabrication business and truck body manufacturing company and supplier of Hiab products including this Multilift skip loader.