Spanish multinational testing and services group Applus RTD, has emerged as the winner of the new 10-year national car testing contract worth more than €400 million, reports the Irish Times.

Applus RTD beat the current holder of the contract, NCTS Ltd, into second place during a tender process run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) last year. Applus RTD is an international certification company and operates across five continents...Separately the Government is planning to introduce test measures for all used vehicles, including used imports, "as a condition of registration" by the middle of next year and the company operating the national car test then is seen as the most likely agency to carry this out.

It is understood pricing was a significant factor in deciding the winning tender. Applus RTD will take over on January 1st, 2010. The new contract envisages up to 11 million car tests being conducted between 2010 and 2019, suggesting potential fee income for the successful company of over €400 million at 2008 prices. The test costs €49 and a re-test €27.50..

It is understood the majority of the NCTS workforce will transfer to the new company under the transfer of undertakings. These regulations were designed to safeguard employee rights following the change of ownership of a company.

Irish Times