since 1976
since 1976
UD Trucks and its sole distributor partner in Malaysia, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), have recently kick-off the annual UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) to identify and recognise the ultimate Malaysian truck driver who will be most capable in embodying smart logistics for today’s trucking world.
The UDEMC, organised for the fourth consecutive year in Malaysia, is a friendly, educational and motivational truck drivers’ competition that aims to increase skills and competency through training, theory and practical tests. All drivers who take part are required to go through UD Trucks’ comprehensive driver training programme which is embedded into the competition structure.
At the same, the competition targets to retain good drivers and help them progress and adapt to changes in the industry. When UDEMC started in Malaysia in 2016, it was the first such drivers’ competition that was organized by a Japanese truck brand in this market.
Throughout the competition, each driver has a chance to demonstrate his skills, knowledge and professionalism through a series of tests. The three key test areas are pre-drive inspection on truck condition, fuel efficiency and safety driving, and manoeuvring and parking skills.
The key purpose of the competition structure is to simulate a general transportation cycle and to visualize profitable operation through avoiding downtime, maintaining low-cost operation, preventing accidents and ensuring shorter trip time through efficient driving. All these will link the driver’s skills to business reality.
In this regard Jaclyn Loy, Chief Operating Officer of TCIE shared, “The UDEMC is more than just about technical driving ability. It also encourages the drivers to think commercially and how their competency can deliver actual productivity and benefits everyone through fuel efficiency and safety.”
“Truck drivers are absolutely essential to the entire smart logistics process. They are the unsung heroes in the economy, moving goods and cargo every single day, rain or shine. Participating in UDEMC will allow them to see their own positive impact as well as instil a sense of pride in their jobs and inspire them to be exceptional smart logistics drivers. This is what the industry needs for its future growth,” added Loy.
Participation in UDEMC is open to all qualified Malaysian Quester truck drivers employed with UD Trucks’ customers, as they will be tested using the heavy-duty UD Quester truck. The competition is being held in stages comprising firstly, the local market qualification rounds taking place across Malaysia.
From these rounds which are held in Batu Caves, Johor Bahru, Bukit Mertajam and Kuantan, 10 drivers with the best scores will proceed to compete in the Malaysia final competition to be held in TCIE, Ipoh in November. The best amongst the best from Malaysia will get to represent the country and pit against other foreign truck drivers in the global finals in Japan in April next year.
