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REPORTS: EV Summit, RDS, Dublin & Fleet Europe, Convention Centre, Dublin TEST: New Citroën C5 X DESIGN: Autostyle+ Design Edition LAUNCH PAD: Alfa Romeo Tonale & Nissan X-Trail

| NEWS 1 54 | NEWS I Volkswagen Passenger Cars’ ID. Buzz and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ID. Buzz Cargo have created history in being named as Irish Car of the Year & Irish Van of the Year 2023 in association with Continental Tyres. It marks the first occasion that the same model has won both prestigious titles at the same time.

The ID. Buzz Cargo and its ID. Buzz people carrier stablemate were awarded the unprecedented honour at a special ceremony at The Westin Dublin, capping off a memorable week for the new arrivals. On the Monday, the ID. Buzz had its official Irish launch at the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow. Then on Wednesday, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director Alan Bateson was in Hannover, Germany to collect a Golden Steering Wheel Award for the ID. Buzz, Germany’s best known award for new car models. On Thursday, he received the trophy for International Van of the Year 2023 (IVOTY) from IVOTY Chairman Jarlath Sweeney at at the Fleet Transport Awards held at Johnstown House, County Meath. The Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year Awards 2023 on the Friday, were the highlight of an incredible week.

Accepting the Irish Van of the Year trophy, Alan said: “I am extremely proud to accept these awards on behalf of the entire Volkswagen Commercial team. The ID. Buzz Cargo is a vehicle that has been 75 years in the making. This is a truly historic moment, heralding a new era of sustainability for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The phrase game-changer is bandied around liberally in the motor trade but the ID. Buzz is a truly a unique proposition. Everyone in the Volkswagen Commercial team feels privileged to have played their part in the delivery of these iconic vehicles and we cannot wait to see the reaction from members of the public now they are finally on Irish roads.” A judging panel from the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), which consists of motoring journalists from across Ireland, voted the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo as the best new cars and vans of the year. In addition, the ID. Buzz people won the MPV of the Year category, making it a hat-trick for Volkswagen Ireland on the night.

Power for the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo comes from a 77kWh lithium-ion battery mated to a rear-mounted electric motor that develops 310Nm of torque and an output of 150kW (204 PS). Both vehicles have an electronically-limited top speed of 145kph as well as a fast charging capacity of up to 170kW, enough to charge the battery from 5% to 80% in just 30 minutes. Sustainability is an integral part of the new ID. Buzz Cargo, from design through to the manufacturing process, and on to the road. The leather-free interior features recycled synthetic materials, including seats made from reclaimed sea plastics and recycled plastic bottles. The ID. Buzz Cargo is manufactured using sustainable components: battery housings and wheel rims are made from green aluminium and tyres from low-emission production.

Founded in 1978, the Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year awards are the most prestigious honour in the motoring calendar. Voted on by a jury of 32 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring and commercial vehicle journalists, each award recognises technology, efficiency, safety, comfort and practicality.

Tom Dennigan, representing awards sponsor Continental Tyres, said: “The MMAI jurors provide a great service to Irish motorists in providing a really helpful insight into the broad range of increasingly sophisticated car models and business orientated van models that are launched here each year. No doubt, the Irish Car and Irish Van of the Year titles will be a huge boost to the popularity of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in the new vehicle market in January and throughout 2023.”

The resurgence in Ireland of Fiat and its associated brands Alfa Romeo and Jeep is happening - and fast! That’s thanks to new energy, impetus and investment coming from new national distributor Gowan Auto and its dealers.

The acquisition of the Fiat Auto Ireland franchise came about following the formation of Stellantis, the merger between Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. As the Gowan Group already had PSA’s Peugeot, Citroen and Opel brands under its wing, bringing in Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Fiat Professional made perfect sense.

While Fiat Auto Ireland has only had a token presence in the auto industry of late due to a number of factors, that means there is only one way it can go and that is up! There is little point in harking back to the past and the heady glory days when Fiat was second only to Ford in the sales stakes. Many will remember how popular the Fiat Punto was for example, in the early 2000s.

With Gowan’s 55 years of experience in the Irish automotive industry, the company and its personnel have the undoubted expertise to revive the fortunes of the Italian / American brands. Not least because a host of new models recently launched or due to arrive soon are giving all the brands a fresh impetus.

Ian Tolan, Head of Sales at Gowan Auto, explained that the interest in the brands both from existing and new dealers as well as customers is heartening. At its inaugural press briefing in Cashel, County Tipperary, he outlined the reasoning behind the restored confidence and the exciting times ahead for the company and these brands. For instance, Fiat has the new all-electric 500e now on sale, and we can look forward to a new 600 Topolino. From Alfa Romeo, the Tonale compact SUV hybrid is about to turn heads and refreshed Giulia and Stelvio models will once again set pulses racing.

On the commercial front, the new Scudo and Doblò vans, with diesel and petrol options are imminent, as is the new eDucato. Below these commercial segments, there are talks of a Fiat version of the unique Citroen Ami electric city vehicle.

Then there’s Jeep, which has a long history, and is now looking to generate new business with its new Avenger BEV SUV and new Grand Cherokee coming next Autumn. They will be joined by Model Year 2024 Compass and Renegade, with a choice of power outputs.

Ian also mentioned the Waggoner S and Rubicon, also part of the Jeep family, that will soon be making their way into the European market.

Currently, Fiat retails the 500C, 500X, Tipo Cross and Panda hybrid. All go and all to play for therefore at Gowan Auto.

At the event at Cashel Palace, Gowan Auto took the covers of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the new premium compact SUV from the legendary Italian brand.