ForWare

A Nissan Qashqai equipped with e‑POWER technology has earned a Guinness World Records™ title for the longest journey completed by a non-plug-in extended-range electric vehicle SUV without external charging or refuelling. The vehicle managed to cover 1,980km from 14 to 17 July 2026, travelling from Bogotá to the Caribbean coast.

Speaking on the achievement, Richard Candler, Nissan's Corporate Executive (CE), Family, Product & Components Strategy, remarked:

"This fantastic record once again shows the capability of the latest generation of e POWER technology. Qashqai e POWER delivers efficiency, refinement and EV-like driving performance that we have focused around real customer driving needs. It also plays an important role in Nissan’s electrification journey, helping more drivers experience the benefits of electric driving as they move towards a fully electric future".

The latest figures from SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) reveal that new car registrations for August 2026 were up 3% on August 2025. Battery Electric sales rose 7%.

Registrations year to date are up 5% (121,979) on the same period last year (116,068).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) decreased by 10% (2,382) compared to August last year (2,651). Year to date, LCVs are up 7% (29,604). Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations experienced an increase of 9% (223) in comparison to August 2025 (205). Year to date, HGVs are down 1% (2,205).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 36% (8,093) increase in August 2026, when compared to August 2025 (5,963). Year-to-date imports are up 37% (63,815) on 2025 (46,661).

In August, 2,265 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was a 7% increase from the 2,115 registrations in August 2025. So far this year, 32,079 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 55% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 20,642 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type, Battery Electric cars lead the market position with 26.3%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 24.14%, Petrol 20.09%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.85%, and Diesel 12.56%.

SIMI Director General, Brian Cooke, remarked: "The market shift towards battery electric vehicles is clearly evident, and it is crucial that the Government supports this trend with incentives that build on this momentum in what is still a developing market. Budget 2027 provides the Government with the opportunity to build on the success in BEV sales by extending and retaining the current incentives (the SEAI Grant, Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) relief, and 0% Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) threshold) that are vital in sustaining consumer confidence. This would enable more households and businesses to make the switch, while also supporting our climate change goals. Additional targeted measures like the scrappage scheme, investment in high-powered public charging infrastructure and a focus on the business sectors can also help increase our national fleet and our second-hand BEV market. Now is the time to invest in incentives to drive change".

Lynn Motors Limited, Dundalk, has been appointed the latest official franchise dealer partner for Leapmotor Ireland. It is now the brand's tenth retail location in Ireland.

Stephen McGrath, Brand Manager of Leapmotor Ireland, remarked: "Reaching ten dealer partners inside our first year in Ireland says a great deal about the appetite we are seeing for the brand. Lynn Motors gives us a strong presence in the north-east, in a part of the country where we know there is real demand for electric vehicles that deliver on both specification and price".

Donn Lynn, Dealer Principal at Lynn Motors, added: "We are delighted to bring Leapmotor to Dundalk. The specification you get as standard is remarkable for the money, and with the Gowan Auto network behind it for parts and aftersales, we can give people the reassurance they are looking for when they ‘Take the Leap’ to electric".

Research by The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) predicts that the shortfall of qualified EV technicians in the UK could reach 43,000 by 2035.

At present, 75,000 technicians in the UK are EV-qualified. This represents only around 1/3 of the profession. With the need for qualified EV technicians expected to increase sharply, the IMI projects that current training rates will not be able to keep up with demand.

Everything your fleet needs, all in one place. Manage your entire fleet operation with connected workflows for:

• Vehicle bookings
• Service scheduling and maintenance
• Compliance management
• Vehicle inspections
• Reporting and analytics
• Stock and inventory management

Spend less time switching between systems and more time keeping your fleet moving efficiently

Book your demo: https://www.forware.io/?utm_source=social

Spreadsheets work... until they don't.

If your fleet is growing, relying on manual spreadsheets can lead to missed servicing, compliance risks and hours spent updating data instead of managing operations.

Here are five signs it's time to move beyond spreadsheets:

You're entering the same information multiple times.
Finding vehicle records takes longer than it should.
Service schedules and inspections are tracked manually.
Your team relies on emails and phone calls to keep everyone updated.
Reporting takes hours instead of minutes.

Which of these challenges sounds familiar? Let us know in the comments.

Check more: https://www.forware.io/?utm_source=social

Behind every feature is a team that understands real fleet challenges.

Meet the people helping organisations simplify fleet operations every day.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced the addition of 24 new dealers to its UK network.

Dealerahips include Magna Motors in Hull, KT Green in Leeds, York Van Centre, and Oliver Landpower Ltd.

Toby Marshall, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, remarked: "We are delighted to confirm the appointment of 24 new sales partner dealers"

"Our sales network continues to build in line with our development strategy, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key UK regions".

Research by TOPDON EUROPE has revealed that catalytic converter issues are the most car common fault in Europe.

"P0420 is the fault we see more of than any other across Europe, and it is a good example of where our tools are designed to help without overreaching" remarked Topdon Europe CEO, Oscar Diaz. "An owner can read the code, understand what it means and know what they are being told. What they should not do is clear it and drive on. Emissions hardware exists for a reason, and a professional workshop is the right place to have it looked at".

Alan Bateson has become the first full time Irish Chief Executive for Volkswagen Group Ireland since it took over direct control of operations in 2008.

Bateson previously served in the marque's Brand Executive role, commencing in 2023.