Speed dating on two wheels; BMW planning for hard Brexit; SUV surge; Plans for plastic

SKODA, it seems, are breaking into the dating business – so long as you own a bicycle.

On Saturday week (from 8.30am) in Avon Rí, Blessington, Co Wicklow, there will be a cycle event with a difference – speed dating on wheels.

Basically, while you’re on your bike, the organisers hope, you might meet someone you like.

Skoda says (I kid you not) it “gives single cyclists the chance to kick their dating efforts up a gear. The 60km cycle around Blessington Lake gives single cyclists the chance to meet like-minded men and women with shared interests”.

Here’s how it works. There will be two lines of cyclists, men on one side, women on the other. A bell will ring every three to four minutes. When it does, the front cyclist on the right will drop to the back and all the other cyclists will move up a place.

Skoda says there are only a few spaces left, so on your bike if you want to take part. To register visit www.skoda. ie/speeddating. It costs €40 (for which you get your race number, cycling jersey, Skoda cycling merchandise and a BBQ). Good luck.

It was a bit chilling to read that BMW is preparing for a “worse-case Brexit” in which the UK quits the customs union and single market.

According to a special report, the carmaker’s main aim is to make sure its Mini, Rolls-Royce, engine and stamping factories in England get parts on time “despite potential bottlenecks at the border”.

BMW purchasing chief Markus Duesmann discussed Brexit fallout implications with Burkhard Riering, editor of Automobilwoche, Automotive News Europe’s sister publication.

He revealed firm has set up a Brexit taskforce to help cope with the expected bottlenecks at the border and to anticipate delays in the supply chain. He said: “The processes will become much more complicated.”

Volvo wants to use 25pc recycled plastic in all its cars from 2025 to reduce the environmental impact production. Tall order but if anyone can do it, they can.

The growth of small SUVs is going to soar even higher across the globe this year, the experts are saying.

Best of luck to PG Duffy & Sons, Naas Road, Newbridge, which has been appointed Subaru’s main dealers for Kildare.