9 minute read
NEWS
Pictured at the presentation of the award with the winning vans were (l to r): Colin Sheridan, MD of Citroën Ireland; James Brooks, MD of Opel Ireland; Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor Continental Tyres; Cathal Doyle and Anthony Conlon, Joint Chairmen of the Irish Car and Van of the Year Committee and Stephen McGrath, Head of Product and Pricing with Peugeot and DS Automobiles.
At a special ceremony at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the Citroën e-Dispatch / Opel Vivaro-e / Peugeot e-Expert, an electrified joint collaboration of the three Stellantis owned companies, have been collectively voted Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year for 2022.
The award is voted upon by a jury of Ireland’s most experienced light commercial vehicle journalists and was announced at the 2022 Irish Car and Van of the Year awards event, hosted by Newstalk radio’s business editor Vincent Wall.
James Brooks, Managing Director at Leeson Motors, Opel Importer in Ireland, commented on the success: “Team Opel Ireland is delighted with this prestigious award. The all-electric Vivaro-e, International Van of the Year 2021, was Ireland’s best-selling electric van in January, taking 32.8% of the emerging EV market. Indeed, Opel almost doubled its light commercial vehicle share this January, to take a phenomenal 13.8% market share, compared to 6.97% in January 2021. There can be no doubt, the Opel renaissance is clear for all to see. The Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year 2022 gong, is gratefully shared with our sister brands, Peugeot and Citroen.”
Electric Vehicles were very much to the fore at the awards event as, in addition to electric models taking the main trophy in the Van of the Year contest, the full electric Kia EV6 won the top award in the Irish Car of the Year 2022 competition.
Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year 2022 award- The Contenders:
Citroën e-Dispatch / Opel Vivaro-e / Peugeot e-Expert Maxus e-Deliver 3 Maxus e-Deliver 9 Mercedes-Benz e-Sprinter Toyota Proace City Volkswagen Caddy van
Mike Price strengthens management team at MotionMetrics
Irish-based fleet management provider MotionMetrics has appointed Mike Price as Commercial Director. The Limerick native will be responsible for the growth of the company’s suite of products with fleets across Ireland and the UK.
Mike claims over 30 years of in-depth knowledge of transport and technology in Ireland, having founded Tranzaura, a successful fleet software firm back in 2010. A former Council member of the CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Ireland), he joins experienced directors Hal Fitzgerald and Sean Kirwan on the MotionMetrics management team.
MotionMetrics brings together critical information on a single screen for the fleet manager, from fleet telematics, vehicle CCTV, vehicle checks, maintenance and tachograph management through to route planning. The solution is flexible, allowing users to add on tools “à la carte” as their requirements and business needs evolve.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director Hal Fitzgerald: “Mike’s strong relationships within the fleet sector in Ireland will be a major asset to the business in building long-term partnerships with clients. His skills complement the blend of commercial and technical expertise already present within our management team.”
Speaking about his new position, Mike Price said that he was hugely excited about the market potential for MotionMetrics’ fleet management solution. “From my years at the coalface of this industry, I know that fleet operators – in the face of ever tighter margins - are looking to replace multiple suppliers and multiple systems with a single solution on one screen, with just one invoice to pay and without the additional expense of system integrators. The MotionMetrics product is designed to do just this.”
Leading building materials supplier Kilsaran is one of the latest clients to have discovered the bottom-line potential of the MotionMetrics solution. The company, headquartered in Cork with offices in Dublin, foresees accelerated organic growth in 2022 on foot of the positive real-world experience of working with MotionMetrics products.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz – Light years ahead!
In the early days of the Volkswagen Bulli/Transporter (T-series) passenger and van models, the air-cooled petrol engines were fitted to the rear of the vehicle. Decades later, Volkswagen is turning back the clock as it looks to the future with its all-new zero-emission ID. Buzz, as not only is its electric motor positioned at the rear, but it’s rear-wheel-drive to boot!
On 9 March details of the much anticipated vehicle were finally revealed, with the ID. Buzz cargo and 5-seater people carrier set for market launch in the Autumn. To give members of the press and selected customers an early impression, a number of pre-production models went on tour around a number of European cities, with Fleet Transport taking in the London stopover.
As highlighted by Kate Thompson, Head of PR & Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, the development of the new ID. Buzz goods and passenger vehicle is in itself an interesting story, dating back to 2001 when the Bulli Microbus concept was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Since then, other prototypes on the electrically propelled theme followed, such as the Bulli (2011) and BUDD-e (2016), while the first versions of the ID BUZZ debuted at the Detroit Show in 2017.
Concurrently, some of the safety technology being fitted into the now ready for production ID. Buzz was introduced in mass production models like the Transporter T6.1 and new Multivan (Caravelle).
ID. Buzz versions also draw on the stylistic elements of the legendary T1, the original Bulli. Those include extremely short vehicle body overhangs, maximum utilisation of space on a minimal footprint, the classic division of the vehicle body design into an upper and lower level, plus the unmistakable face with its V-shape.
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform, both ID. Buzz versions feature a high-voltage lithium-ion battery providing gross energy content of 82 kWh (net: 77 kWh). The battery supplies a 150 kW electric motor, which is integrated in the rear axle, which it also drives. The top speed is electronically limited to 145 km/h. Official figures for range are not yet available, but the electric motor builds up its maximum torque of 310 Nm from a standing start. In addition, the vehicle body has a very low centre of gravity, as the battery is located underneath the floor. And also, by virtue of its design, the ID. Buzz has another advantage: the electric Bulli’s turning circle is only just over 11 metres.
With the standard wheelbase of 2,988 mm and just 4,712 mm long, it is slightly different to that of the T6.1, which measures 4,904 mm in total length. The ID. Buzz thereby offers a similar internal length, but is able to use smaller parking spaces. At 1,985 mm wide (excluding wing mirrors), the ID. Buzz is 81 mm wider than the T6.1. The maximum load capacity of the ID. Buzz Cargo, which is fitted with a partition behind the front seats, is over 3.9 m3.
With the three-seater ID. Buzz Cargo, an ultra-modern zero-emission van is about to take off. But that is just the
beginning. During the course of the coming year, the portfolio will be added to with the addition of a longer wheelbase model and a correspondingly broader range of possibilities in the interior. Look out also for a campervan version in due course.
Using the latest ID. software, the model line will in future offer a ‘Plug & Charge’ function for connectivity to (DC) quick-charging stations via the charging connector, exchanging all necessary data, including card-less payment with it in this way – a much more convenient arrangement than current systems. Another new feature is bi-directional charging. This technology opens up a whole new spectrum of possibilities. One example: It will from now be possible to store excess power from a home’s own solar panels in the ID. Buzz and to feed it back into the home in the evening in order to be independent even without the sun.
Even though the prototypes driven were dynamically disguised, there were enough design and styling elements shown to get a flavour of what the new vehicle is all about. The ID. Buzz is also set to be marketed in the USA – it will be the comeback of a model line which has been eagerly awaited by many American fans.
It should be noted that the ID. Buzz is not the first Bulli with an electric drive system. Fifty years ago at the Hannover Trade Fair, Volkswagen exhibited a Transporter generation II (T2) as a first prototype powered by a rear-mounted electric motor. The maximum range of 85 kilometres demonstrated, however, that the battery technology was still far from being suitable for practical use. But even back then in 1972, the dream was born: the dream of an emission-free Bulli. In 2022, it is now becoming reality. 1972 versus 2002 (MEB) 21.6 kWh lead acid battery versus 77kW lithium-ion battery 32kW electric engine versus 150 kW PSM engine 75 km/h top speed versus 145 km/h top speed
n DNA of an Icon: Futuristic, modern, progressive design; inspired by heritage n MEB Platform: 100% electric; optimised packaging and urban capabilities n Spacious Interior: Colourful and fresh, space for every hobby and occasion n Connected: Smart & Digital; Always connected, premium driving comfort
ID. BUzz CARGO: LOAD DIMEnSIOnS – MAx SPACE
Load Volume = -4m3 Load Length = 2.2m Load Height = 1.25m Load Width = 1.7m Load Space = 2 x Europallets
ID. Buzz: Technology Intelligent & Rapid Charging Plug & Charge: Pre-paid charging system Bi-Directional: DC Home Charging & Home energy management system Charging Points: 270,000 units across EU through WeCharge network
Dennehy Commercials Ltd Riverside Park, Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 229900 Web: www.dennehycommercials.com
RENAULT TRUCk & MAN TRUCkS MAIN DEALERS FOR THE SOUTH WEST
MAn Tridem 35.470, huge spec, Alloys and super singles, Sleeper cab, Tow hitch cross member Ideal Bulk Blower chassis or drilling rig, 9 tonne front axle new Renault Range C.440 Mixers & Tippers new MAn TGS 35.430 C/W CIFA Mixer new Isuzu Tippers, in stock new Isuzu18 ft Curtainsider in stock
2014 DAF CF65 250 Plant truck with hIAB 14 Tonne metre crane - 5 c/w remote control Full Beavertail / Cheese-wedge plant body. All vehicles with full warranty. Recovery/ 24/7 Call out
For more information please contact the Sales Team: Martin Hough 087 6601648 For Service: 061 229900
