More distributors absorb VRT increase
29 December 2002: Two more Irish car distributors have announced that they are to absorb the recent VRT increases on their 1901cc-2001cc cars, following the VRT band changes imposed by the minister for finance. This follows a similar move by Ford.
Lexus Ireland will hold the prices of their IS200 range (the 200 SportCross is pictured above) for the first quarter of 2003 at the pre-Budget level and not pass on the VRT hike of E3,032 (entry model) until April.
Mark Teevan, Managing Director of Lexus Ireland, said the company has taken significant advance orders for IS200 cars for 2003. “The difficult decision to absorb the increase in VRT on the IS200 range for the first three months of 2003 has been taken with the consideration of these and other Lexus customers in mind,” he said. “People have made commitments to us for 2003 and we don’t want to disappoint them."
And retail prices of the Citroen C5 (estate version shown above) and Xsara Picasso ranges will not change for the month of January despite the VRT increases. Citroen will absorb the extra VRT increases as well as offering cash savings of E2,500 on their C5 range and E2,250 on the Xsara Picasso range with their ‘Drive a Better Deal Today’ promotion.