UD Trucks’ Extra Mile Challenge 2018 Finals were completed on October 25 at the UD Experience Center in its Ageo corporate headquarters. There were nine finalists, selected from 300 initial participants who underwent local qualifying rounds held in 9 countries. The countries represented at the Final were Japan, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and Thailand.

The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge is the company’s signature annual competition. It reproduces an actual truck operation cycle, assessing drivers in the three key areas of pre-driving inspection, fuel efficiency and safe driving, and maneuvering and parking. The UD Extra Mile Challenge is a quest to find the ultimate driver, measuring effectiveness in operational cost and reduced downtime in addition to safe and skilled driving. Contestants compete in either of UD’s Quon or Quester heavy-duty trucks.

The UD Extra Mile Challenge 2018 winners were Mohd Hisham at BHS Kinetic Pte Ltd. from Singapore, in Quon, and Eko Yulianto at PT Duta Lintas Nusa from Indonesia in Quester.
Commenting on their win, the drivers had this to say:

Mohd Hisham at BHS Kinetic Pte Ltd., Singapore (Quon)
“I have been focused on this event for the past year. It’s been a tremendous experience. I’ve learnt so much…about fuel consumption, about protecting cargo….everything.”

Eko Yulianto at PT Duta Lintas Nusa, Indonesia (Quester)
“I am so pleased and honoured. I think the key to success is to remain calm during the activity. If you are not calm, you can make mistakes even if you’re a good driver. I am very confident and mentally ready, but I’m not perfect. I know I have to keep striving. I still have a way to go to become the ultimate driver.”

For UD Trucks, the quest to find the ultimate driver is part of its vision of smart logistics providing solutions to society’s needs. “Further efficiency in distribution is essential to meet the rapidly growing demand for parcel delivery. Competition in the distribution sector is also becoming more intense, while at the same time there is a severe labor shortage, particularly of skilled drivers.  Despite those challenges, we have to be ever mindful of environmental issues, congestion and safety” explained Kishi Nobuhiko, Senior Vice President, Brand, Communication and Products. “This is why we say the world needs smart logistics which is efficient and profitable, safe and sustainable, and people friendly logistics,” he continued.

Takamitsu Sakamaki, UD Trucks President and Representative Director, observed that the trucks and the people who drive them represent the interface between smart logistics and the society. “That’s why we support driver development with initiatives such as today’s Extra Mile Challenge, to raise their awareness of what is essential for the ultimate driver.”

Jacques Michel, President, Volvo Group Trucks Asia & JVs Sales reflected on the achievements and determination of the drivers “The performances of these ‘ultimate drivers’ reaffirmed our view that the role of a skillful driver is pivotal to better profitability for our customers’ businesses. We are not only celebrating the winners but also the positive impact we have made to the industry and society at large”.

The company takes the view that people depend on logistics, and logistics depends on people. UD trucks are designed with the driver in mind. The UD Extra Mile Challenge demonstrates the company’s commitment to driver education and motivation, while shining the light on the unsung heroes of smart logistics – the truck drivers. It serves as a symbol for UD Trucks’ going the extra mile for customer success and commitment to support all aspects of smart logistics.

Here are the complete results of UD Extra Mile Challenge 2018.

Quon Category
Overall Winner:
Ultimate Driver: Singapore
Customer: BHS Kinetic Pte Ltd.
Driver: Mohd Hisham

Category Awards:
Best Pre-driving Inspection:  Japan
Best Driving Skill: Singapore
Best Fuel Efficiency: Singapore

Special Awards:
Best Green-band Driving: South Africa
Best Sweet-spot Driving:  Australia

Quester Category
Overall Winner:
Ultimate Driver: Indonesia
Customer: PT Duta Lintas Nusa
Driver: Eko Yulianto

Category Awards:
Best Pre-driving Inspection: Thailand
Best Driving Skill: Qatar
Best Fuel Efficiency:  Indonesia

Special Awards:
Most Cargo-friendly Driving:  Malaysia
Best Safety Mindset:  Mauritius

For media enquiries, please contact:

[email protected]

UD Trucks is a leading Japanese commercial vehicle solutions provider, active in more than 60 countries on all continents. Since its inception in 1935, the company has been an innovation leader with a clear vision to provide the trucks and services the world needs today.The company is committed to go the extra mile for smart logistics with the most dependable solutions for demanding customers. To best support across applications and geographies, UD Trucks offers a full range of heavy duty trucks – Quon and Quester, medium duty trucks – Condor and Croner, and light duty trucks – Kazet and Kuzer, as well as associated operational and financial services.

UD Trucks is a proud member of the Volvo Group, which in 2017 had net sales of 335 BSEK and 100,000 employees globally.