What the car importers in Ireland think of diesel and EV

KCross

Some interesting insights into the thought process of the car importers in this country

https://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/car-news/what-the-motoring-experts-predict-will-happen-regarding-diesel-imports-prices-electric-cars-36340681.html

Mainly self centred views from each of them.


I had to chuckle at Toyota though!

Electric car sales will take off, only if the Government expands their definition of electric to all forms, such as hybrid and plug-in hybrid, in terms of incentives such as 0pc BIK.

Feeling left out at having no BEV plan, I think!



Overall, I think they are probably all close enough to the mark.... diesel isn't dead by a long way, BEV uptake will be gradual, charging infrastructure is one of the biggest issues.

liamog

If we expand the definition of Electric to all cars with a battery, we can predict 100% Electric sales next year.

umbauk

An interesting read! The strong denial that diesel isn't dead is surprising given the big European countries are all banning them in the next 5-10 years. But I suppose they have to say that if 60% of their sales are diesel! Also if Ireland doesn't legislate against diesel it will become a dumping ground for diesels from the rest of Europe - ugh.

I felt there was a bit of fear-mongering on the "risks of importing a car" (or maybe as a soon to be importer I'm in denial , but the point on the impact of Brexit on imports is an interesting one. We could suddenly see increased taxes on UK car imports from 2019 - or at least so they are hoping!

zilog_jones

I do hope changes are made to motor tax and VRT to accommodate for WLTP implementation, because we can really do without a return to the ultra-austere Paddy Spec cars of the past.

Not sure why some of them spoke about concerns of Euro 4 and older used imports coming into the country (i.e. pre-2009), as I would have thought the large majority of used imports are 5 years old or less.

Interesting to see Nissan's view on diesels - do they have plans for more hybrids? Will the Note e-Power be coming to Ireland? At least they are being realistic about current production limitations of BEVs.

I was speaking to a few independent used dealers recently (was helping my brother buy a car) and there definitely seems to be a shift back to petrol (at least for smaller cars) and increased interest in EVs, e.g. people travelling across the country to buy used Leafs.

KCross wrote: »

Feeling left out at having no BEV plan, I think!

They have a plan, they're just several years away from having a BEV ready for production...

umbauk wrote: »

The strong denial that diesel isn't dead is surprising given the big European countries are all banning them in the next 5-10 years.

Nobody has said that. There are talks about increased charges or restrictions on diesels in certain urban areas (London, Paris, etc.), but no outright bans until more like 2040 - and that's more ICE cars (sales of new ones specifically) in general.

Del2005

umbauk wrote: »

An interesting read! The strong denial that diesel isn't dead is surprising given the big European countries are all banning them in the next 5-10 years. But I suppose they have to say that if 60% of their sales are diesel! Also if Ireland doesn't legislate against diesel it will become a dumping ground for diesels from the rest of Europe - ugh.

I felt there was a bit of fear-mongering on the "risks of importing a car" (or maybe as a soon to be importer I'm in denial , but the point on the impact of Brexit on imports is an interesting one. We could suddenly see increased taxes on UK car imports from 2019 - or at least so they are hoping!

We won't become a dumping ground for European diesels unless they change the steering wheel, as LHD insurance is difficult here, and then you will hit the modification insurance hurdle. UK diesels unfortunately will continue to be bought until March 2019.

KCross

The import thing from each of them is just protectionism on their part. Its money lost for them so you can understand why they would dis it.

The majority of used imports are <5yrs old.
This year so far.... 76882 used imports from UK. 80% are diesel! Thats why diesel isn't dead.
39% are <3yrs old. 68% are <5yrs old.

elperello

Interesting article though given the size of our market we will have little influence on what the manufacturers do. We will just have to adapt to what they decide and make the best of it.
The government should adopt a pragmatic approach to make things easier for motorists to deal with changes in the market.
Chances of that actually happening are slim.

turbbo

elperello wrote: »

Interesting article though given the size of our market we will have little influence on what the manufacturers do. We will just have to adapt to what they decide and make the best of it.
The government should adopt a pragmatic approach to make things easier for motorists to deal with changes in the market.
Chances of that actually happening are slim.

The government are only worried about collecting tax - unless EVs make that easier I don't see them pushing for it.

KCross

KCross wrote: »

.................


I had to chuckle at Toyota though!

Electric car sales will take off, only if the Government expands their definition of electric to all forms, such as hybrid and plug-in hybrid, in terms of incentives such as 0pc BIK.

..............

They are correct though.
You'd get loads of reps and directors into Lexus, Toyota, BMW etc hybrids if there was 0% BIK on them.

elperello

Augeo wrote: »

They are correct though.
You'd get loads of reps and directors into Lexus, Toyota, BMW etc hybrids if there was 0% BIK on them.

Then they would need to replace the tax forgone from somewhere.
Nasty polluting diesels maybe?
2008 all over again.

turbbo

Augeo wrote: »

They are correct though.
You'd get loads of reps and directors into Lexus, Toyota, BMW etc hybrids if there was 0% BIK on them.

Not gonna happen. They will be clawing back that 0% on bik too if any manufacturer was selling a car halfway decent and affordable - Tesla model s is a fine car but has a very hefty price tag. I can't see the company car moving from diesel soon if the competition doesn't improve fast, so the 0 bik is safe enough for now.

zilog_jones

turbbo wrote: »

The government are only worried about collecting tax - unless EVs make that easier I don't see them pushing for it.

Well we only pay 13.5% VAT on lecky, so I'd say it will make things a lot harder for them!

cros13

Augeo wrote: »

They are correct though.
You'd get loads of reps and directors into Lexus, Toyota, BMW etc hybrids if there was 0% BIK on them.

That's not something we want to happen. In the UK allowing plugins onto the 0% BIK scheme caused people to buy them who never charged the car just to take advantage of the BIK.
PHEV & hybrids are not something we should encouraging anyway due to their high cost and poor electric range.

turbbo

cros13 wrote: »

PHEV & hybrids are not something we should encouraging anyway due to their high cost and poor electric range.

Same could be said for straight electric. - high cost and poor range - unless you don't need range and are happy with a low spec car the people driving company cars who do the big mileage won't be driving them unless their company is very generous and they all get Teslas for xmas.

NIMAN

When I come to change my main ICE diesel car in a couple of years, I'll definitely be hoping to go for petrol.

turbbo

NIMAN wrote: »

When I come to change my main ICE diesel car in a couple of years, I'll definitely be hoping to go for petrol.

I'll try and not change my diesel car as it's a complete racket.