Skoda win ‘Best Car Manufacturer’ title in the annual Which? Awards

The awards really seem to be following us around these days! Not content with

being nominated as one of the top 50 dealers in the UK and in the top 5 in the region, now Skoda have received their own prestigious award from Which ?

as ‘Best Car Manufacturer’ title in the annual Which? Awards, presented at the British Museum on the 19 May. Škoda trumped the competition – including premium brands – thanks to their outstanding customer service and products.

 

Škoda UK Director, Robert Hazelwood, said: “We’re really pleased to win this award. It shows just how highly Which? rates our products and service.  We’re very proud of the excellent engineering and great value in every one of our cars, and pleased that Which? has recognised the outstanding personal service our retailers give their customers.”

The Which? car test team and Which? members were impressed with Škoda’s reliability, customer care and the quality of its retailers. Škoda achieved above-average marks for its retailers (79 per cent) and its service (81 per cent), and the brand had a reliability score of 79 per cent. Four Škoda models were judged to be ‘Best Buys’ or ‘Worth Considering’.

 

Which? Chief Executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, said: “Škoda is a car company ideally suited to the times, as people demand more but want to pay less. It offers a great range of reasonably-priced, well-built cars.”

 

Announcing the awards, he added: “The winner of this award is a car brand much praised by its customers, with high scores on dealer satisfaction for both sales and servicing. Owner satisfaction is also high, with most Which? members rating it as very good. The company also achieved a number of best buys for the various models we tested, making Škoda an obvious choice for Best Car Manufacturer 2010.”

 

Editor of Which? Car, Richard Headland added: “'People might know Škoda as a purveyor of value, but what they might not know is that this brand should be equally recognised for its quality of product, its reliability and its excellent retailer network.”

We at Derek Slack Motors fully endorse all of the above comments and look forward to see customers new and old over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Thanks for reading

Tony Slack

Isuzu Denver Pick-ups in Middlesbrough

Sorry for the self promotion, but I thought this little story might be of interest to those familier with the true power of the internet!

Derek Slack Motors’ recently ran an online promotion targeting Denver Pick-up customers, which brought admiring glances from all corners of the country as we sold and delivered (free of charge), three Isuzu pick-ups in 24 hours. Recognising that a shortage of UK stock was leaving some customers frustrated we decided to help out by introducing a ‘Free UK Delivery Package’ on all orders placed within 24 hours of the online advertisment going live. Nothing happened until around mid-day, when the phones started to ring and the Isuzu promotion got into full swing.

Our furthest delivery was in Kent, but would have been happy to go further.

We still have Isuzu Denvers in stock, for immediate delivery with a choice of metallic colours and prices starting from as little as £14,995 for the Denver 2.5 Twin Cab.

As the main dealers for Isuzu in Teesside, Middlesbrough, Stockton on Tees and Darlington

we’d be happy to extend the same offer indefinitely! Just give us a call on 01642 256101

or visit us online at www.derekslackmotors.co.uk

Thanks for reading

Tony Slack

Skoda Fabia vRS comes to Middlesbrough, Darlington and Stockton on Tees

Interest in the new Fabia vRS (the fastest production Fabia ever built), is so great, Derek Slack Motors, (main dealers for Skoda in Middlesbrough and Stockton on Tees), have already taken two orders. One from a Skoda customer in Stockton - on - Tees, a second from a Skoda customer in Darlington.

Built on its predecessor’s reputation for high performance, low running costs and remarkable value for money, the Fabia vRS is bound to become a big seller

to those who enjoy a bit of bite to their motoring. The fantastic new Fabia vRS will be officially launched in the UK on Thursday 28 July 2010, with prices and specification already confirmed.

Available as a hatch and estate, the vRS is powered by the fantastic 1.4 TSI 180bhp engine in tandem with a seven-speed DSG transmission, with ESP, HHC (hill hold control) and XDS (electronic differential system). Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 7.3 seconds. Top speed is 139mph (140mph for the estate), where law permits.

 

The new vRS features stylish 17-inch ‘Gigaro’ alloy wheels, LED daylight running lights, sunset glass and vRS body kit giving it a very sporty appearance. Customers can also choose an optional white or black roof with a range of body colours, including the new Rallye Green, inspired by the S2000 rally car.

 

Inside, the vRS boasts figure-hugging vRS sports seats, a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with radio controls and paddles for changing gear, and MDI (multi-device interface) for use with iPods and other MP3 players.

 

Overall, the vRS offers fantastic value for money, particularly when compared to the competition. Where else can you find a 180bhp engine with DSG, paddles, LED lights and loads of standard kit for £15,700. If you’d like to be one of the first to get behind the wheel, or make an advance order, visit our website at: www.derekslackmotors, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Happy Darlington Couple head for Subaru on Teesside

Tuesday 30th March was a cold, foggy day here on Teesside, and even though the clouds didn’t break, a ray of sunshine did manage to appear on our forecourt when a delighted Mrs. Scott from Darlington, took delivery of her stunning new Subaru Forester XS Automatic. This was Lynne Scott’s second Subaru and she was over the moon when Sales Executive - Ged Thirkell  handed over the keys! There was no question in Lynne’s mind which vehicle was going to replace her old Subarau Forester and that was a new Subrau Forester. So after doing her homework, Lynne decided Derek Slack Motors, (main dealers for Subaru on Teesside), was the right choice. We’re delighted Mr. and Mrs. Smith choose Derek Slack Motors for their new Subaru, as we wish them both many years of safe, happy motoring! What lovely people!

Thanks for reading

Tony Slack