SEAT set for Sunderland Success

Sporty Spanish car maker SEAT is set for even more success in Sunderland following the takeover of its award-winning dealership in the city.

Alexandra Bridge Cars in Southwick was one of the first SEAT dealers in the UK and built a glowing reputation for excellence over the past quarter of a century.

Now though, the hugely popular and highly regarded retailer has been acquired by the North East-based retailer Pulman  – one of the most successful and innovative retailers in Volkswagens nationwide network.

And the new owners, who operate the Volkswagen franchises in Sunderland and Durham, have pledged to offer customers the best of both worlds as they look to make the latest addition to their growing family even better than ever.

But loyal customers of Pulman SEAT, as it will now be known, should not expect to see change for change’s sake or a sea of new faces on their next visit.  On the contrary, long-serving Sales Manager Alex Paget will continue to oversee matters in the showroom, while Service Manager Lee Morris and his experienced team of technicians will remain in the workshop.

Both teams will be strengthened, however, in order to further improve customer satisfaction and ensure all visitors to the dealership receive the highest levels of care and attention at all times.

It’s an approach that has served Pulman well down the years, with Durham Volkswagen going from strength-to-strength over the past decade and the acquisition and subsequent expansion and transformation of Mill Garages in Sunderland two years ago where the goal is to deliver a fantastic customer experience.

Mike Pulman, founder and Managing Director of the Pulman Group, which now employs more than 130 people, said: ‘We are thrilled to add such a fantastic dealership to our stable.

‘We are also extremely excited to be working with SEAT which is undoubtedly one of the most exciting brand’s around with a great line-up of models.

‘Being from the North East myself I’ve been aware of Alexandra Bridge for many years and am well aware of the fantastic reputation the team at the dealership worked hard to build and maintain in the local community and beyond.

‘Our intention is to build upon the many strengths of the dealership by adding the ideas and innovations that have made our Volkswagen franchises among the very best in the country.

‘By strengthening the fantastic team already in place at the dealership and instilling our own approach to customer care, I am sure Pulman SEAT will go from strength to strength and that customers old and new will be impressed.

‘As a group, our overall goal is to deliver a fantastic customer experience as we know that, ultimately, we’ll only be successful if we keep our customers happy.’

For more details about the SEAT range or to speak to a sales or service adviser, call Pulman SEAT now on 0191 549 2926.

A Fantastic £22,000 raised for the NSPCC and Freeman Hospital

It’s that time of the year again, when bacon rolls are served, the golf clubs are out and Pulman Volkswagen charity golf day is about to begin. 6 hours later, after the birdies, the misses, the hole competitions and auction it was announced that a phenomenal £22,000 was raised for the NSPCC and Freeman Hospital to share.

This fantastic achievement smashed all previous records. For the 5th year running, Pulman Volkswagen held their annual charity golf day at Chester-le-Street golf club on Monday 5th July. There were 23 teams with prizes for first, second and third placed four balls.  The individual best score was achieved by Ray Scotting from Gilder Group.  A delighted Mike Pulman Managing Director of Pulman Volkswagen said “We are so proud with what has been achieved, it was truly fantastic. The golf day just get’s better and better, over the previous 4 years we raised just over £30,000, so to raise £22,000 in one year is amazing.

Chester-le-Street golf club has once again exceeded our expectations and we would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors that made it possible to raise the amount we did.”

All proceeds are shared between the NSPCC and NHS Freeman Hospital. Dennis Clark from the NSPCC comments, “this is absolutely amazing, £11,000 towards the NSPCC is fantastic and I would like to thank everyone at Pulman Volkswagen for all their hard work on making this possible.”

The golf day had lots of twists and turns and exciting competitions, including a nearest the pin and longest drive competition.  A four ball at the home of the Ryder Cup, the Celtic Manor with overnight accommodation was also won, a prize kindly donated by Executel. There were exceptional auction prizes including a 10 seat box for the Newcastle United verse Manchester United game, as well as 10 seat box for Disney on ice and Peter Kay tickets kindly donated by Metro Arena.

Mike Pulman continues, “NSPCC and Freeman Hospital are fantastic charities. We’ve certainly set ourselves a benchmark now for next year, I can’t wait to see what we achieve!”

A hole in one and a new Volkswagen car

It’s not often you see a hole in one achieved on a golf course, but on Thursday 24th of June that’s exactly what happened. It was a gorgeous sunny morning at Ramside hall, Jeff Tabb walked up to the tee on hole 15, placed his ball, aimed his shot and after a few moments hit a hole in one.

Not only did Jeff Tabb achieve an amazing hole in one, he also won a brand new Volkswagen Polo, kindly donated by Pulman Volkswagen. Jeff Tabb commented: “Having played the 15th Hole at Ramside Hall on a number of occasions I knew the hole was a good test, after selecting the 5 iron in my bag I just thought to myself make sure you take a slow swing and hope for reaching the centre of the green!

After taking my shot one of playing partners Iain Prescott shouted out “that’s got to be close, in fact Jeff that’s really close!” it was only when we approached the green and saw the large pitch mark in front middle of the green that I realised that the ball could well be in the hole because there was no sign of my ball. Sure enough when I eventually reached the pin there it was the ball in the hole! It was a tremendous feeling to achieve the feat of a hole in one and to win this great car makes it even better”.

The golf day was in aid of Niemann-Pick Disease Group charity (NPDG), Craig Mathieson organised the golf day at Ramside Hall for the past 5 years in the name of his niece Lucy who was affected by the rare, neurological condition Niemann-Pick Type C disease, which currently has no definitive treatment or cure. The NPDG provide expert care, advice and support to families affected as well as research in hope that one day there will be a cure.

Craig Mathieson comments, “NPDG charity is very personal to me and is something I hold close to my heat as my niece Lucy suffered from the Niemann-Pick disease. The Ramside golf day was created in Lucy’s name 5 years ago. It is absolutely fantastic that Jeff won the hole in one and I would also like to thank Mike Pulman for supporting us over the last 5 years.”

Toni Mathieson, Craig’s sister-in-law and Lucy’s mother is delighted with the outcome of the day, “the golf day was fantastic raising over £5000 for the NPDG charity. The funds will be used to provide a continuation of much needed support service for children affected by Niemann-Pick diseases and their families."

Mike Pulman, Manager Director of Pulman Volkswagen commented, “it was a privilege to be asked to be involved in the Niemann-Pick charity golf day, and we are so pleased that the hole in one was won. Niemann-Pick Group are an amazing charity, providing support for families affected by this terminal neurological disease. It was one fantastic shot by Jeff who deservedly wins the new Volkswagen Polo.”

Congratulations to Steve Cram and the COCO team for raising over £15,000 at the celebrity charity golf day at De Vere Slaley Hall.

It was a gorgeous summer day last Wednesday 19th when the celebrity charity golf day teed off, raising over £15,000 for the COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) charity.

The atmosphere was buzzing, it couldn’t have been a more perfect setting, hosted by the stunning De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland. The bacon butties were served, the itinerary for the day laid out, golf buggies distributed, everyone at their starting holes for a shotgun start! Twelve o’clock came and they were off!

Over two courses, The Hunting and the newer course The Priestman, 36 teams and a few hours later the tournament was won by Ashes winning cricket star Steve Harmison and raised over £15,000 for COCO.

COCO charity was founded by former Olympic athlete Steve Cram in 2000, and since has raised over a staggering £1.7 million to help fund projects for children in developing countries. The COCO vision is “to protect and enrich the lives of vulnerable children through poverty reduction education and improved health”.

Steve Cram said “This year’s COCO Charity Golf Day at Slaley Hall was a magical event and I would like to pay huge thanks to all those who participated in helping raise in excess of £15,000 for the charity.

The event has grown in popularity and respect as a successful fundraiser and this has only been made possible by the support of some of the best sponsors we could wish for, including of course Pulman Volkswagen as well as the countless others who have donated time, effort and energy to make the event so special.”

Mike Pulman the Managing Director of Pulman Volkswagen attended the day and commented: “It was absolutely fantastic to be part of the COCO charity golf day, Steve and the team did unbelievably well raising over £15,000. It was a lot of fun even though I didn’t win, maybe next year!

We were also proud to sponsor this event, it’s such a fantastic cause, focusing on giving children who are living in poverty access to a brighter future. Well done the COCO team.”

Save up to £7,559 on a new VW Sharan

We have a selection of un-registered Volkswagen Sharan 1.9 S TDI from £16,495, saving a massive £6,525 on list price.

We also have a selection of un-registered Volkswagen Sharan 1.9 SE TDI from £17,995, with a fantastic saving of £7,559.

These cars are strictly limited so call us for more details on 0191 383 7525 or visit www.pulmanvolkswagen.co.uk

£500 extra towards your part exchange

Pulman Volkswagen will give you the best possible price for your part exchange plus an extra £500 at the Pulman Swap Shop event this bank holiday weekend.

Download your voucher here.
Simply bring the voucher with you to claim you extra £500, or quote the included voucher code.
3 years free servicing is available on all new cars when purchased with Volkswagen Solutions.
Visit our showrooms on the 29th, 30th and 31st of May to take advantage of this fantastic offer, but only for this weekend!
For more information visit our website - PulmanVolkswagen.co.uk

'Unbelievable Value' says The Telegraph

Telegraph columnist, Mike Rutherford, looks at the fantastic savings available across the Volkswagen range and compares the current on the road prices with that of other popular brands.

In typically understated fashion, Volkswagen has just revealed its latest 'Unbelievable Value' slogan which must have taken an in-house VW wordschmidt all of five minutes to dream up and implement. Exciting and original it is not. But rarely, if ever, has a company so accurately described in so few words what it, its prices and its products are all about.

Read the full article at The Telegraph website.

For more information on the 'Unbelievable Value' of the latest Volkswagen, visit Pulman Volkswagen.