Stallion Motors, multiple franchise holders and distributors of European automobiles in Nigeria, last week presented the trio of Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda  for a  road test that showcased the strength of these European engineered vehicles.

The road test which started from the Porsche Centre, Victoria Island Lagos to Banana Island Estate through Chevron Pavilion, Lekki Peninsula Lagos, saw the Nigerian automobile media scoring Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda range automobiles A+, the highest rating ever in a county road test.

The road test, according to the organisers was arranged to ascertain the efficiency, ruggedness and performance of any vehicle designed to standard.

The test which lasted almost six hours offered local media the opportunity to also compare the proficiency of European engineered brands of vehicles to similar products of evolving Asian automakers such as Japanese and Korean series of vehicles.
It also sought to acquaint journalists with the ideals, values and standards of European brand of vehicles when viewed against rival brands.

The Deputy Managing Director, European Brands, Stallion Motors, Mr Julian Hardy, who said this at the pre-test briefing, noted that the dealership was not only interested in selling cars but dispensing valuable information that could help end users derive optimum value from any brand of vehicle purchased from the Stallion Group.

“European engineered vehicles are value-driven cars with exceptional inputs to deliver optimum value while also reassuring on sophistication and comfort,” Hardy said.

Meanwhile, the management has said the test drive was one of its numerous showstoppers to herald the ‘Stallion European Motor Show’ slated for September.   

The show, according to Stallion Motors would also arouse the consciousness of motorists and help them rediscover the potentials of European engineered vehicles such as Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda range of vehicles.

Hardy said that Stallion Motors’ European brand division would in September commence a free service clinic for VWs, Audi and Skoda vehicles in all her workshops in Nigeria.

“The exercise is aimed to reunite us with old and new customers and solve whatever challenges they may have encountered,”  Hardy said.

He noted that “top European car manufacturers like Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen produce some of the best performing vehicles on the road and are evidence in many consumer reports’ that have shown how sturdier in design and build strength European brands of vehicles are.”

The test drivers however, unanimously agreed that European vehicles are generally safer because of their shorter braking distances in case of serious accident and imbued with better acceleration, impressive handling, matchless performance and exceptional steering response.

Hardy was joined at the briefing by Mr Anurag Shah, Sales and Marketing Director, Audi and VW Centre; Mr Amit Sharma, Sales and Marketing Director, Volkswagen Commercial; Mr Snajay Rupani, Sales and Marketing Director, Skoda World and Mr Munish Sharma, Service Manager, European Brands, Stallion Motors.

Some of the models put to the test by 17 automobile journalists who attended the test drive include: Volkswagen Amarok pick-up, VW Polo, VW Passat, VW Tiguan and VW Touareg. From the Audi stable are the A4, A6, A8 and Q7 while Skoda paraded Superb, Octavia and Fabia.