Based on UD Trucks’ brand promise, “Going the Extra Mile,” the Extra Mile Challenge demonstrates how customers can make the most out of UD products and services. The competition focuses on three key elements; pre-drive inspection, fuel efficiency & safety driving, and maneuvering & parking skills, to improve driving skills of the drivers and reduce both operational costs and downtime.
For the challenge, drivers representing each country compete in a simulated transport delivery cycle. Each practical station is judged by the following criteria: revenue, fuel efficiency, uptime & maintenance cost, and driving safety. The winning team claimed the highest profit based on transport calculations. The Extra Mile Challenge demonstrates how UD Trucks not only helps achieve further business success, but also strengthen driving capability and confidence, contributing to safer roads and motivated drivers.
At the competition this year, seven drivers from six markets emerged from the qualification rounds (*), and competed in the global final in Japan. There are four Quester drivers (from Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, and Indonesia) and three Quon drivers (from Japan, South Africa and Singapore).
(*) No qualification round was held for Japan and Singapore
Team Singapore driver Seng Ann Neo, from CWT Ltd., had this to say:
“Winning the challenge is a great feeling. It feels like the fruit of 30 years of truck-driving experience. There is so much on the Extra Mile Challenge agenda that we learn, it’s not just about the friendly competition. I’ve been driving UD Trucks for one and half years, but there are so many things I learnt for the first time in this training. Next time, I’m ready for an even tougher challenge.”
In the Quester category, winning driver Lafras Kruger from RA Transport, described his experience:
“It’s been really exciting. It challenges everything you have to think about in your day-to-day driving. I found everything about the contest really stimulating. I’d love to do it again if I get the chance.”