What's happening in the motoring industry. Andrew Hamilton's digest
• Denis Smyth is retiring as managing director of the Killeen motor group which incorporates Toyota and Lexus. A former distinguished journalist and a native of Skyrne, Co Meath, he will continue in a non-executive role as vice-chairman of the Killeen group and as a director of its subsidiaries, Toyota Ireland and Lexus Ireland.
David Shannon takes over as managing director, Killeen motor group, as well as retaining his position as managing director of Toyota Ireland. Jim Cusack, after sales director with Toyota Ireland has been appointed deputy managing director of Toyota Ireland. Mark Teevan, currently general manager of Lexus Ireland, becomes managing director of Lexus Ireland.
• The annual Mercedes-Benz used car sale takes place on the weekend of April 20/21 at the National Show Centre, Irish Kennel Club premises beside the Coachman's Inn at Dublin airport. Over 400 quality Mercedes Benz used cars will be on sale.
• Jack Toohey who has died, was one of the leading figures in the Leinster Motor Club, founded by Nathan Lepler. He lived in Costelloe Lodge in Connemara, Co Galway.
• Things really don't change very much. Over 30 years ago we heard that lawyers and their legal fees were the main reason why we paid so much more for car insurance. Conor Faughnan, AA spokesman at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Bsuiness, told the committee the high cost of insurance was because Irish people "have more accidents, sue more frequently, compensate more generously, settle claims more slowly and pay our lawyers much more than all the countries in the EU." According to Faughnan, in 2000, the insurance industry paid out €3 billion in compensation of which €760 million accounted for legal costs. "Eighty per cent of claims wind up being settled on the steps of the court, with expensive legal fees being paid out of money that should be available to compensate legitimate victims." Legal people in his view , were making "ridiculously excessive amounts."