Skoda scoops top Which? award

Once again, Skoda have beaten off stiff opposition, to be named best car manufacturer for 2013 by respected UK consumer champion Which? Skoda came first ahead of BMW, Ford and Volkswagen to win the award. Tony Slack, dealer principle at Derek Slack Motors, main dealers for Skoda on Teesside said, “Being recognised by Which? is not just a mark of excellence but also a measure of good quality service and value-for-money motoring in what are still difficult economic times. I believe all those on the 2013 list of winners, reflect companies prepared to go the extra mile to offer outstanding customer service, something Derek Slack Motors passionately believe in. It’s no wonder in 2013 we’re celebrating 40 years of service as the North East of England’s oldest Skoda dealer.”

Best car manufacturer: Skoda

Best home appliance brand: Bosch

Best retailer: John Lewis

Best computing brand: Samsung

Best audio-visual brand LG

Best financial services provider: NFU Mutual

Best telecom services provider: Tesco Mobile

Best supermarket: Aldi

Best photography brand: Panasonic

Best customer care: Amazon

New Skoda Octavia vRS on Teesside

No sooner were we holding our breath over the new Octavia, and in powers the high performance, Octavia vRS hatchback and estate, both models faster and more fuel efficient than their producers. As usual there’s a choice of both petrol and diesel, the petrol 2.0 TSi offering a staggering 217bhp while the diesel 2.0 TDI provides 181bhp, both models giving exceptional fuel economy. 

In about the same time it takes me to get out of my chair (6.8 seconds) the vRS can excellrate from 0-62 also beating the Golf GTI on top speed and I daren’t tell you what it manages flat out, so be careful on the roads.

The Octavia vRS has lowered suspension and new stylish alloys, xenon headlights, dual exhausts, sports suspension, electronic locking differential, red brake callipers all giving the vRS a sportier look. Inside you’ll find black sports trim, sport seats, leather steering wheel, steel pedals and sill kickplates and custom vRS branding.

The estate model boats 610 litres of space with more head and legroom for front and rear passengers. As always, safety is paramount with the new Octavia accumulating a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. We’ll keep you posted as soon as both models arrive at Derek Slack Motors, main dealers for Skoda on Teesside and the oldest Skoda dealer in the North East.

Isuzu D-Max towing capacity increased to 3.5 tonnes

Isuzu has announced from the 1st July 2013, towing capacity of the award winning Isuzu D-Max will be increased by 500kg, adding to its already impressive list of credentials. The increase has come as a direct response to customer feedback and to satisfy commercial users demanding extra towing capacity.

Jed Thirkell, Isuzu Sales Executive at Derek Slack Motors says, "All D-Max models will be able to tow a maximum braked load of 3.5 tonnes with the new certification applying to all Isuzu D-Max pick-ups (excluding 4x2 Single Cab) registered from 1st July 2013. With confirmation of the new cetification to tow 3.5 tonnes, the Isuzu D-Max becomes the most capable pick-up in the market".

For more information, please contact Derek Slack Motors, Isuzu Centre of Excellence in Teesside-Middlesbrough on: 08433 201267