Kuala Lumpur, 29 August 2022 – The national chapter of the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) 2022, an annual truck driving competition organized by UD Trucks and its sole distributor partner Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), has returned once again and concluded with the crowning of Mohamad Hanif bin Md Nor, a truck driver from ASAC Logistic Sdn Bhd as this year’s Malaysian champion. He beat 9 other finalists in the final leg of the competition held in TCIE branch in Ipoh, Perak.
The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) is carried out as a friendly skills-based competition which simulates three relevant transport cycles, whereby drivers compete by taking part in both classroom and field tests ranging from vehicle pre-drive inspection, fuel efficient and safe driving, and maneuvering and parking skills.
Steve Hedouin, Managing Director, UD Trucks Malaysia said, “The UDEMC delivers more than just a competition for truck drivers. This competition, which first started in 2016, is devised as a platform to help enhance the linkage between drivers’ skills with business reality, by increasing their competency, knowledge and handling capability of the heavy-duty UD Quester.”
“UD Trucks’ vision is to build trucks and services that provide greater solutions for smart logistics which the world needs today. Our company combines the proud heritage of Japanese craftsmanship, cutting-edge trucking technology and the “Gemba” spirit which is inherent in the UD work philosophy.”
“In Japanese, “Gemba” means creating value at the actual place and the UDEMC symbolizes the extension of this “Gemba” spirit which we would like all UD Quester truck drivers to embrace, by inspiring and encouraging them to do a great job and be skilled drivers, creating value for the entire smart logistics process,” added Hedouin.
As the best UDEMC driver from this market, Mohamad Hanif has qualified for the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Final to be held in October at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan, where finalists from various countries will convene to compete for the global championship and coveted title of UD Trucks’ Ultimate Driver.
In addition to winning the overall champion title, Mohamad Hanif also bagged the “Best Pre-Drive Inspection” category title. Meanwhile, two other sub-categories in the UDEMC are “Best Driving Skills” which was won by Mohammad Aripuddin Bin Dahlan from Naza Transport Sdn Bhd and “Best Fuel Efficiency” which was won by Simon Joshua A/L Chandra Sakaran from Syarikat Jasa Selamat Sdn Bhd.
All the winners were each presented with a trophy and UD Quester truck scale model. In addition, the champion's company ASAC Logistic Sdn Bhd received a Quester service voucher worth RM2,388 and exclusive driver training, while the sub-category winning companies received a Quester service voucher worth RM588.
Sharing his excitement, Mohamad Hanif who has been a truck driver for seven years said, “I’m very happy to have won the UDEMC and really looking forward to represent Malaysia in the global finals in Japan. It is truly great that UD Trucks provides such an invaluable opportunity to us who drive the UD Quester. This experience has definitely encouraged us all to be better drivers through deeper understanding and commitment to safety and professionalism. I’ll perform my best in Japan and hope to bring back the global trophy.”
Say Teck Ming, Executive Director of TCIE shared “The UDEMC means a lot to our customers and their drivers. After three consecutive years of absence due to the pandemic situation, we know that many of them were very excited that this competition is back this year. One of the reasons is that the UDEMC focuses on building positive mind set as much as it is on technical driving ability. The competition encourages drivers to think more commercially by highlighting the trade-offs between speed, delivery time, fuel efficiency, safety and smooth driving.
“In a challenging industry facing a lack of skilled drivers, our goal is to help our customers attract good drivers. Platform such as the UDEMC develops each driver to be an ultimate driver by helping them to acquire the right skills, knowledge and commitment to safety, fuel efficiency, care about the truck, the cargo and the environment.
“The UDEMC motivates drivers and promote truck driving as a job to be proud of as it is at the heart of smart logistics. It also serves as a symbol for UD Trucks’ going the extra mile for our customers’ success and our commitment in supporting all aspects of smart logistics,” Say concluded.
