Derek Slack Motors, main dealers for Skoda, Subaru and Isuzu celebrate 40 years of trusted service in Middlesbrough

Derek Slack Motors are celbrating 40 years of service. Established in 1973, Derek Slack first began trading as a vehicle repair centre in Coral  Street, Middlesbrough, specialising in Reliant Robins. The business is now the last remaining family run motor retailer in Middlesbrough, as well as being dealers for Skoda, Subaru and Isuzu.

The growth Derek Slack Motors have enjoyed over the past four decades echoes the rise and rise of the Skoda brand. Derek Slack Motors is the oldest Skoda dealership in the North East and still a  family run business with Derek’s son Tony now at the helm.

“When I decided to take on board the Skoda franchise, I felt it would be a sound investment as VW had just taken a share stake offering long term stability and investment, giving us the opportunity to grow, said Derek Slack - Managing Director at the Cargo Fleet dealership. The success Skoda enjoyed and the demand for Skoda cars exceeded all my expectations. It has enabled us to grow and expand into bigger and better facilities-and we’re still 

growing with plans for further expansion in line with Skoda’s own growth strategy”. Derek Slack Motors will be firmly on the map as one of the leading Skoda operations during the next decade. 

The dealership has received numerous awards and accolades over the years for levels of outstanding customer service including, the prestigious title as ‘Number One Skoda Dealer in the UK for Customer Satisfaction’. Not content with receiving awards for customer service, Derek Slack Motors have also received recognition for staff development. 

“We’re proud to have two of the countries’ official, best Subaru technicians, Chris Harrison and Mike Lamb working in our Subaru workshop, said Tony Slack- Dealer Principle at the Cargo Fleet dealership. Working alongside them in our Skoda workshop is Graeme May, one of the first Skoda Master 

Technicians in the UK”.

March is also set to be an exciting month for the new ’13’ registration plate, with Skoda, Subaru and Isuzu all putting together some fabulous offers. Skoda have introduced the new Citigo, Rapid and 

to be released in March the latest Octavia to the line up, whilst Subaru have added the stunning BRZ and 5 years manufacturers’ warranty across the range. Isuzu have also launched a new special  edition D-Max Huntsman, designed for those working outdoors or with outdoor field pursuits, with some rather special bespoke features.

Tony added, “We’ve tried never to take our finger off the button and with the help of customer feedback, hope to remain an independent, family run garage for many years to come”.

Skoda Citigo Sport

Skoda have reveiled a new 2013 version of the Skoda Citigo, fittingly called the ‘Sport’. Available in a choice of three special colours including, Tornado Red, Candy White and Deep Black and all with coloured sport stripes, the Citigo Sport will soon be dashing along the roads of the north east. The Citigo Sport will also be available in three and five door models with a choice of 44 kW (60 hp) or 55 kW (75 hp) three-cylinder 1.0 MPI petrol engine, capable of returning 4.1 l/ 100 km and CO2 emissions of 95 g/km – with the Green tec package included. 

The sport trim includes, black 15-inch Auriga alloy wheels, a new body styling kit with front and rear spoilers and a rear diffuser section. With contrasting racing stripes along the hood, roof and smaller stripes along the sides and tailgate, the Citigo Sport has the look of a real supermini 

The sporty touches arn’t limited to the exterior, inside you’ll find a leather steering wheel, gearshift level and handbrake. The seats also have a sport trim with combination of red, grey and black.

Moving inside, there’s a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearshift level and handbrake handle, with the seats receiving a sport’ textile design in a combination of red, grey and black. The Skoda Citigo will land in Middlesbrough during the spring, so watch this space for updates.

Isuzu D-Max Huntsman North East

Isuzu have introduced a new D-Max special edition the ‘Huntsman’ based on the range-topping Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Utah double cab. The vehicle endoserd by Mike Robinson from ITV’s Countrywise Kitchen is already hitting the headlines benefting from some rather unique features making it an ideal choice for both town and country.

Selecting a vehicle which is not only ideally suited for the country environment but also reducing it’s impact on the environment is helped by the efficient 2.5-litre Euro 5-compliant twin-turbo diesel engine, delivers 163 PS and 400 Nm of torque, but equally importantly, emits only 194 g/km of CO2 and returns class-leading fuel economy of 38.2 mpg (combined). Many customers who purchase Isuzus from Derek Slack Motors often live or work in the more rural areas of North Yorkshire, Teesside and Durham. The modifications made to the Huntsman have all been carefully designed to make a real difference in the day-to-day life of a people working or with outdoor pursuits in the field.

To begin, all the vehicle’s chrome finished exteriors have been wrapped in matt-black vinyl – including the front grille, door handles and rear bumper. The 17” alloys are also matt black and fitted with all terrain tyres. So no danger of glare from chrome.

Inside are many new features for keeping binoculars and other gadgets close at hand. One of the most ingenious hidden features is the secure gun box in the cabin which offers a safe and secure storage for rifles, scopes and lights. Once locked the draws are hidden from view when tailgate shuts making life more difficult for thieves.

Below the tailgate there’s a reversing camera and sensors making parking in tight places a great deal easier. The towbar is also slighty raised so if you’re pushing the Huntsmans through its off-road capabilities, you won’t hit the ground on landing.

The Isuzu D-Max is also fitted with a unique load-bay drawer system, winch and ramp, for loading heavy items into the back of the pickup. The winch is also powerfull enough to pull a car from a ditch. To keep the payload secure and cool, it’s protected by a ventilated Truckman Grand Hard Top. So for those looking for a dependable workhorse pick-up which is robust, utterly reliable and virtually unstoppable off-road. The Huntsman is the ultimate vehicle.

Andreas Mikkelsen picks up second Intercontinental Rally Challenge trophy

Andreas Mikkelsen picked up his second Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers’ trophy in two years at an end of season awards ceremony in Paris – along with the additional award of the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy Driver of the Year.

Ola Fløene also in the famous luminous green ŠKODA tie collected his second successive co-drivers’ title, having guided Andreas to all his IRC successes.

Andreas began by saying, “I’ve just completed two fantastic years in the IRC with ŠKODA. It was a big opportunity coming with them in 2011 and I felt like I’d won the series when I got that drive. We’ve been very successful and won two championships. These years with ŠKODA UK have meant everything to me and if it wasn’t for them I’d still be driving in the Subaru Cup in Norway.”

The new Skoda Octavia 2013

After eight years of sales and critical success, the second generation Octavia is making way for the third generation; the most important car that ŠKODA has ever launched.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB platform, the new Octavia boasts levels of technology and specification never before seen in the ŠKODA range, as well as ground-breaking CO2 and efficiency figures. 

That’s not all; the new Octavia has more luggage and passenger space than any other car in its segment, and stunning exterior design that continues the new design language introduced with Rapid. The new Octavia is set to land in Derek Slack Motors showroom in early March, but we’ll keep you posted.

The Subaru XV has been voted the best SUV of 2013 by 4x4 Magazine.

4x4 Magazine, published by Kelsey Publishing said of Subaru's SUV;

"The SUV class in 4x4 Magazine's 4x4 Of The Year test is one of the most competitive. The Subaru XV was an interesting new arrival in that class, which did much to impress the judges. For a vehicle which obviously spends most of its time on road, it is such an enjoyable drive, involving the driver in a positive manner. It also boasts promising fuel economy potential. When we took it off road, given the obvious limitations of ground clearance, the Subaru completed our test route with ease. But what nailed it for the brightly coloured XV, was Subaru's ETCo (Everything Taken Care of) customer service package, which has to be one of the best around. So, well done the Subaru XV, 4x4 Magazine's SUV Of The Year 2013." For a closer look at the Subaru XV visit Derek Slack Motors.

Skoda Yeti Laurin & Klement Teesside

Don’t look now, but there’s a another Yeti heading your way!...well the new Skoda Yeti Laurin & Klement to be precise.  Skoda enthusiasts will already be familiar with the luxurious trim of Laurin & Klement range. Founded in 1895 Laurin & Klement went on to merge with Skoda and the sub-brand offers extensive features to emphasise eye-catching details. The new Yeti Laurin & Klement is no exception with 17” Annapurna alloy wheels,  L&K inscription on front mudguards, black side protective moulding with chrome ledge and silver roof rails and that’s just the exterior. 

Inside, the new Yeti L&K includes, Columbus satellite navigation with DAB radio, heated windscreen, panoramic sunroof, park assist, gorgeous black leather seats with L&K lettering, shall I go on?...Okay, black leather jumbo box with silver stitching, 3-spoke, multifunction black leather steering wheel with silver stitching, inlays with L&K logo in piano black or wood, and L&K scuff plates. Believe it or not there’s even more, but you’ll need to come and see it for yourself at Derek Slack Motors in the new year. We’ll keep you posted nearer the time, but for now, we can tell you it’s available on  the 1.8 TSI 4x4, 2.0 TDI 140PS 4x4 DSG and 2.0 TDI 170PS 4X4