Welcome to the 251 edition of the Auto Ireland magazine, a Business Post publication brought to you with the support of First Citizen Finance.

I’m particularly proud to be the editor of this 30th-anniversary edition of this great magazine, continuing the long line of annual new car guides that helps buyers choose between the dizzying array of new models on sale. 

When we start to plan the magazine every year, one of my first tasks is to make a list of all the relevant cars that must be featured, and that list gets longer every time as car makers continue to fill all the niches and expand their ranges to capture as much of the market as possible. My team of professional writers relish the challenge of course, and we wouldn’t be in this job if we didn’t love what we do. 

In last year’s guide, I talked about the arrival of Chinese car brands in Ireland and that initial trickle has turned into a stream of new models for buyers to consider. More choice can only be a good thing for the consumer, and this time next year we’ll have even more new brands to include in our index. 

The Chinese car manufacturers have been quick out of the blocks with affordable electric models in particular, but I’m heartened to see the European manufacturers rising to the challenge, and there are dozens of affordable new EVs on the way in the coming months that should help restart slow sales. (Not that hybrid, petrol, and diesel cars are going anywhere in a hurry.)

As ever, Auto Ireland likes to remain objective and we’re here to help all buyers, no matter what their preferences or requirements.

Hopefully the guide will be both of use and of entertainment to our readers.

Thanks for taking the journey with us,

SHANE O’ DONOGHUE
Editor