How one app can get you €50 off your car insurance

The free app for iPhone and Android has been downloaded 40,000 times and people have driven 8,000,000kms using it.

The app rewards drivers who put their phone face down when driving. Points are earned for every km driven without picking up and can be redeemed with FBD Insurance and Topaz Re Store. Now anyone who collects 1,500 points will get €50 off an FBD insurance policy.

I'm heading to Pasadena in California this weekend to test some of the best cars in the world as a member of the World Car of the Year jury.

The award is regarded as a major accolade by manufacturers, but it's hugely important for buyers too. Ultimately the likes of myself are there on your behalf to reflect, absorb and hone expectations - especially in the current mercurial period of change.

Motoring is going more global. The major markets such as China are increasingly dictating how and when things are done. So I'm privileged to get a flavour of those influences.

The contenders are: Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, BMW X3, Buick Regal/Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Citroën C3 Aircross, Dacia Duster, Ford Fiesta, Genesis G70, Honda Accord, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Compass, Kia Niro, Picanto, Stinger, Stonic, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover Velar, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan LEAF, Nissan Micra, Opel/Vauxhall Crossland X, Peugeot 3008, Renault Koléos, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Karoq, SsangYong Rexton G4, Subaru XV/Crosstrek, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen T-Roc, Volkswagen Arteon, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC40.

World Urban Car contenders are: Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Kona, Kia Picanto, Kia Stonic, Nissan Micra, SEAT Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo.

Luxury Car contenders: Audi A8, BMW 6-series GT, Lexus LS, Porsche Cayenne, Panamera.

Performance: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Audi RS3 saloon, Audi RS 5 Coupé, BMW M5, Ferrari Portofino, Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N, Lexus LC500, Renault Alpine A110, Suzuki Swift Sport, Volkswagen Polo GTI.

The World Green Car competitors are: BMW 530e iPerformance, Chevrolet Cruze diesel, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Hyundai FE, Nissan LEAF.

All vehicles already mentioned are automatically in contention for the World Car Design award , plus the BMW i8 Roadster and Lamborghini Urus.

* Congratulations to Ian Corbett, who is to take over as head of Lexus Ireland from December 1. Ian joined Toyota Ireland 19 years ago and is replacing Kevin O'Reilly, who is head of sales for Lexus Ireland.

* José Mourinho recently visited Jaguar Land Rover's factory in Solihull to watch employees build his new car, the 100,000th F-PACE. He's a Jag fan so why is he always so miserable? Apparently he gave a team talk to workers about pride and passion in your work. Someone should tell him it's okay to smile now and again too.

* Hyundai's IONIQ has won the Women's World Car Supreme Award. The only car award in the world with an all-female jury, it has members from 20 countries.

* Volvo is to sell tens of thousands of autonomous driving-compatible base vehicles to Uber between 2019 and 2021.