10/25/2017, Fountain Valley, CA
- Biennial World Skill Olympics rewards exceptional auto service skills and highlights best practices for worldwide service personnel
- Long-running competition tests the skills of 72 service experts from 53 countries
- All U.S. participants win medals for the first time ever
- Competition tests automotive service expertise and reinforces Hyundai’s commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction
Fountain Valley, Calif., Oct. 25, 2017 – Hyundai Motor Company recently concluded its 12th Hyundai World Skill Olympics (WSO) in Korea. The Hyundai World Skill Olympics is a biennial competition that pits Hyundai’s automotive service experts and technicians against one another in various Olympic-style events. Hyundai Motor America (HMA) sent four platinum technicians to this prestigious event and all four technicians showed off their skills by bringing home medals in various categories.
The Overall World Top Technician silver medal was awarded to Robert Tyler Johnson, from Paramount Hyundai in Hickory, North Carolina. In addition to Johnson’s success, Jake Rigdon from Luther Burnsville Hyundai in Burnsville, Minnesota received a gold medal for his performance in the Electrical category. Ty Mooney from Wright Way Hyundai in Staunton, Virginia won a silver medal for his performance in the Chassis category and Bradley Draughon from Parkway Hyundai in Wilmington, North Carolina earned an Excellent Skills medal.
Service Technicians as a Foundation for Great Customer Satisfaction
“Our Hyundai technicians are the foundation of great customer satisfaction and loyalty,” said Dave VandeLinde, director, dealer service process, Hyundai Motor America. “All of us at HMA could not be more proud of our team’s accomplishments in the WSO. The professional development of our amazing technicians, including these World Skills Olympics is a vital part of our goal to deliver even BETTER customer experiences and products.”
The Hyundai World Skill Olympics is designed to improve customer satisfaction at Hyundai service centers across the globe. First held in 1995, the competition has sought to improve service technicians’ skills through systematic training in a unique and interactive environment.
For the 2017 World Skill Olympics, 72 service personnel from 53 countries gathered at Hyundai Motor’s Technical Center in Korea to perform their latest techniques in an Olympic-style competition. The competition includes practical evaluations of engines, electric devices, chassis and automatic transmissions. There is also a written exam portion of the competition.
Bradley Draughon (right of center) from Parkway Hyundai in Wilmington, North Carolina earned an Excellent Skills medal