Irish pay more for cars EU survey

Irish consumers pay more for cars than most other Europeans, according to a survey carried out by the European Commission which examined car prices across the EU both before and after tax. In the latest edition of Consumer Choice, the magazine of the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI), an EU survey was used to compare the cost of five car models in 12 countries. The top-selling car in the Republic in each category for the first half of 1999 was chosen - Fiat Seicento, Fiat Punto, Opel Astra, Toyota Avensis and Volvo S-80. Each car was more expensive to purchase in the Republic than in most or all the other EU countries surveyed both before and after tax. Tax on cars here currently varies from 43.5 per cent to 51 per cent.