The Honda Global Technician Contest has concluded. Around 89,000 service staff members from across the globe applied to participate in the contest, but only 23 were chosen to compete at the Honda Technical College Kanto in Fujimino city. Initially, there were six finalists, and after the finals, two winners emerged victorious.
The competition took place on October 8, 2023, with 23 top service specialists competing in two categories: Commuter and FUN. Although Honda has organized localized competitions for its service staff in the past, this contest marked the first time that the Japanese brand decided to make it a worldwide event.
Two models were fielded by Honda, including a Super Cub 110 and a CB650R (not the new one, just in case you’re wondering). The Super Cub was used for the Commuter category while the CB650R was used for the FUN category. Honda plans to organize this contest every four years.
The winners and other finalists were asked a round of questions about their experiences with Honda’s team.
Commuter Category Winner: Masngudin (Indonesia)
Q: Please tell us why you wanted to become a Honda Service staff member in the first place?
I originally studied automotive at a technical school and had a strong interest and passion for technical things. I wanted to work for AHASS to improve my technical skills, gain knowledge related to abnormal noise and vibration diagnosis, and contribute to the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Indonesia with the most extensive user and after-sales network.
Q: What do you find most rewarding and thrilling about being a service staff member?
“I feel a sense of pride and fulfillment when a customer is pleased and wants to return to my shop again, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in the job.”
Q: What made you and how did you decide to compete in the Technician Contest?
“To experience world-class competition and check my skill level while competing with other service staff members from around the world.”
Q: Is there anything you practice on a daily basis to improve your skills?
“Three months prior to the competition, I started training twice a week for physical fitness and practicing for the competition. I also held a training camp for mental preparation and to be ready to take on the challenge with very high motivation.”
Q: What’s your feeling about winning the competition?
“To be honest, I did not think I would win. The major contributing factors were learning and practicing knowledge and skills, maintaining physical endurance and strength, and practicing in various ways.”
FUN Category Winner: Wu Chun-Yi (Taiwan)
Q: Please tell us why you wanted to become a Honda service staff member in the first place?
“When I was around 18 years old, I was given a 125cc motorcycle that was in poor condition. I repeatedly repaired the motorcycle by myself and felt a great sense of accomplishment, which inspired me to become a motorcycle service staff member.”
Q: What do you find most rewarding and thrilling about being a service staff member?
“I find it rewarding to use my specialized knowledge to solve problems and ensure that the motorcycle maintains its original performance, which gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”
Q: What made you and how did you decide to compete in the Technician Contest?
“I wanted to interact with contestants from all around the world and see where I stood among Honda service staff members.”
Q: Is there anything you practice on a daily basis to improve your skills?
“I verify things by reading manuals and repairing my own motorcycles. I think it’s more important to face each repair case properly than to think and act on “what kind of technician I want to be.”
Q: What’s your candid feeling in winning the competition?
“I’m really happy! After observing the highest levels in technical skills from every technician in this competition, I’m honestly shocked that I was able to win. But I feel that I should not be satisfied with this, and I’d like to continue to further hone my skills and apply them to my job.”
Other finalists were asked about the most rewarding and thrilling aspects of being a service staff member.
“I find it rewarding when customers say “thank you” after returning their repaired vehicle. I also feel great pleasure in this job when I’m able to solve a difficult problem. And most importantly, I really love motorcycles and the whole process in maintaining and repairing them,” said Xing Deqing (China), Commuter Category finalist.