Trucks
Pictured: Left Willie Vosloo with Paul Illmer.
“As always, the New Zealand teams were awesome, professional and competitive, and I might add very appreciative for everything across the whole event. It was an absolute pleasure for us to have the Kiwi’s over” commented Nick Bowles, Vista and Gemba Challenge Market Leader.
There was a shining light however as Willem Vosloo, Truckstops Wellington, was awarded the ‘Emerging Technology Champion’. The award presented by Paul Illmer, Vice President Emerging Technology Business Development, recognised Willies keen interest and informed questions around the Demo Electric FL.
Although the result wasn’t quite what the kiwi teams had hoped the experience proved to be extremely positive providing an opportunity for attendees to compete and enjoy a number of activities.
Thursday the 30th was competition day and was split into 4 rounds based at the VGA Brisbane Head Office in Wacol. Each round was 1 hour long and included a 30-minute allocation to answer a group of questions or solve a problem based on a related subject: 1. Electromobility, 2. Power Management, 3. Gearbox Signal &/or 4. Volvo Knowledge. Over lunch Richard Singer, Vice President Services and Network Development, did a presentation highlighting the importance of Service to the Overall Volvo Truck and Bus business. The competition day was finished off with a dinner at Ciao Pepe an Italian restaurant on the Brisbane River.
Friday gave the teams an opportunity to destress from Thursday with a bunch of activities. A factory tour, a FL Electric demonstration came first before shooting off to the Norwell Motor Plex on the Gold Coast for a 4x4 trail in Jeeps, Gymkhana on the skid pan in a Ford Mustang and 7 laps around the circuit in Toyota 86 Race cars.
Justin Williams (Whangarei) came in 3rd place with Willie Vosloo (Wellington) coming in 2nd place in the Gymkhana event to keep up the NZ honours.
Friday night was finished off with the Gala dinner at Black Bird. A very grand event with plenty of VGA staff present, fine dining, two-piece band and a few well-earned beverages. Anna Rogbrant, Vista Global Market Leader, dialed in to announce the winning team and cap off a very well-run event.