General Motor’s Top Dealer Technicians in the Middle East Recognised in Dubai Skills Competition

General Motor’s Top Dealer Technicians in the Middle East Recognised in Dubai Skills Competition

Preliminary competition stages were held throughout 2010 among more than 2,000 technicians from across the GM Middle East dealer network.

December 17, 2010 10:00 by Rasha Reslan

As part of its commitment to provide the best after sales and customer care experience, General Motors Middle East Operations (GMMEO) hosted its second Go For Gold! Dealer Technician Skills Competition in Dubai.

The top 33 technicians from across the GM dealer network in the Middle East, including Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC dealerships, were selected to compete head-to-head and showcase their skills, expertise and knowledge at the two-day finals event held in the pit-garages of the Dubai Autodrome. The competitors were challenged to diagnose, repair and correct systems on Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC vehicles that were purposely outfitted with faults and operating problems. As the contestants worked away, the judging panel closely observed each technician to determine capability and skill in Expert Product Knowledge, Technical Knowledge and Fix-it-Right-the-First-Time.

The top 10 technicians then entered a final round to determine the best GM dealer technician in the Middle East, which was awarded to Noel Carisma from Liberty Automobile in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Mr Carisma was presented with the award by John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of GMMEO, at a special Gala Dinner following the competition.

“At GM, we are investing heavily to provide a world-class shopping, buying and ownership experience for our customers. Our technicians play an important role by ensuring our customers enjoy a great ownership experience by keeping our vehicles in perfect running order,” said Stadwick following the Gala Dinner. “The Go For Gold! competition helps to recognise their talent and performance, increase their motivation and measure their performance to ensure GM’s dealer technicians are the best in the region.”

Preliminary competition stages were held throughout 2010 among more than 2,000 technicians from across the GM Middle East dealer network. The top 33 dealer technicians were selected to showcase their skills, expertise and knowledge at the Autodrome event.

Mr Carisma faced stiff competition from his fellow GM dealer technicians. Unnikrishnan Udhayakumar Thatayil from Mannai Trading in Qatar came second, while third place went to Gemeliano Ignacio Cabalar from Alamana in Kuwait. In fourth was Patrick Dominic Pimentel from Bin Hamoodah in Abu Dhabi with Jay-R Tupaz from Al Ghandi Auto in Fujairah, UAE, placed fifth.

The first Go For Gold! Dealer Technician Skills Competition was held in Bahrain in 2008. The next annual event is due to be held in late 2011.