UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Is Back And Someone Is Headed For Japan

After that disruptive global situation, the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) is back. The national chapter of the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge 2022 was held recently to pick the best UD truck driver to represent Malaysia.

The UDEMC is a friendly skills-based competition which simulates 3 relevant transport cycles. The drivers compete in both classroom and field tests to assess their competency in various abilities, from vehicle pre-drive inspection to fuel efficiency and driving safety to maneuvering and parking skills.

For the 2022 edition, truck driver Mohamad Hanif bin Md Nor, from ASAC Logistics Sdn Bhd, was crowned the Malaysian champion. He beat 9 other finalists in the final leg of the competition which was held in TCIE branch in Ipoh, Perak. The UDEMC was organised by UD Trucks and its sole distributor partner, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd.

As the best UDEMC driver from this market, Mohamad Hanif has qualified for the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Final which will be held in October at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan. There,
he will be competing with finalists from other countries for the global crown of UD Trucks’ Ultimate Driver.

“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,” said Steve Hedouin, Managing Director, UD Trucks Malaysia.

“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,” he added. “In Japanese, “Gemba” means creating value at the actual place and the UDEMC symbolises 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”.

In addition to winning the overall champion title, Mohamad Hanif also bagged the “Best Pre-Drive Inspection” category title. Meanwhile, the other 2 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”, won by Simon Joshua A/L Chandra Sakaran from Syarikat Jasa Selamat Sdn Bhd.

All the winners received a trophy and UD Quester truck scale model. In addition, the champion’s company i.e. ASAC Logistics Sdn Bhd received a Quester service voucher worth RM2,388 as well as exclusive driver training. Meanwhile, the sub-category winning companies received a Quester service voucher worth RM588.

“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,” shared Mohamad Hanif, who has been a truck driver for 7 years.

“The UDEMC means a lot to our customers and their drivers. After 3 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,” commented Say Teck Ming, Executive Director of TCIE.

“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,” he added. “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”.