Forty dealer technicians from across the General Motors network in the Middle East, took part in a competition that put their skills to test in Dubai recently.

The 2013 Dealer Technician Skills Competition, the largest of its kind run by GM globally, was held at the Dubai Autodrome.

As many as 2,000, dealer technicians from Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC dealerships in the region entered the competition and after two initial rounds that tested their knowledge, 40 headed to Dubai for the event.

In front of 45 judges, the dealer technicians were tasked with diagnosing, repairing and correcting systems on Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC vehicles that were purposely fitted with faults.

They were judged on their skill in expert product knowledge, technical knowledge and fix-it-right-the-first-time. The challenges and faults on the vehicles are changed for every competition. After examining the technicians, the judges chose 10 winners.

Unnikrishnan Udhayakumar Tharayil from Mannai Trading Company in Qatar won this year’s award as General Motors’ best dealer technician in the Middle East. He was presented with a special trophy by Maurice Williams, president and MD of GM Middle East, at a special gala dinner that concluded the two-day finals.

“The Dealer Technician Skills Competition is a key event for General Motors Middle East as we look to ensure that we have the best-of-the-best dealer technicians serving our customers,” said Williams.

Thajudeen Firos from Alamana in Kuwait was runner up. Third place went to Noel Pangan from Universal Motors Agency in Saudi Arabia. Francis Mark Pimentel from Al Ghandi Auto in the United Arab Emirates came fourth, while Jesus C Gonzales Jr from Bin Hamoodah Auto in the UAE grabbed fifth place. - TradeArabia News Service