Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) hosted the very first World Skill Olympics for commercial vehicle distributors in the Asia and Pacific region last July 19, 2018. Held at the Hyundai Logistics Center (HLC) in Calamba, Laguna, 12 of the Region’s top service technicians from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar competed for the privilege to represent Asia Pacific at the First Technical Truck and Bus World Skills Olympics in Korea in October.

The competition consisted of two parts: a written exam on technical concepts, and a set of practical challenges.

Gary Junio and Mark Eric Rellosa of the Philippines took First Place; Thiha Saw and Aye Chan Aung of Myanmar, Second Place; and Vũ Đình Công and Lê Hồng Ninh of Vietnam, Third Place.

Styled after the Olympic Games, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) has been holding the competition every two years since 1995 to celebrate and showcase the abilities of the best Service technicians for passenger cars. The competition also aims to encourage Service personnel across the globe to update and upgrade their knowledge and skills, and to discover new ways to enhance the After Sales customer experience.

It is in this spirit that HMC will launch First Technical Truck and Bus World Skills Olympics in Korea in October.

According to Mr. Park Sung Hwan, General Manager of HMC Commercial Vehicle Technical Division, After Sales service is the most important factor to sustain and expand the Truck and Bus business and enhance the Hyundai brand image.

Mr. Park added that the Philippines was HMC’s choice to host the first-ever service skills Olympics for commercial vehicles because “HARI has shown the highest level of cooperation [as host to the 2018 Hyundai Global Commercial Vehicle Service Conference in April this year]. HARI has a well-organized team, excellent facilities, and the experience to stage such an event.”