UD Trucks and its sole distribution partner in Malaysia, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), have recently kick-off the annual UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) for the fifth time.

The UDEMC returns with the purpose to identify and recognise the ultimate Malaysian truck driver who will be most capable in embodying smart logistics for today’s trucking world. It is a friendly, educational and motivational truck drivers’ competition that aims to increase skills and competency through training, theoretical and practical tests. All drivers who take part are required to go through UD Trucks’ comprehensive driver training programme, which is embedded into the competition structure.

One of the key challenges logistics companies are facing today is the shortage of skilled drivers. Through this competition, it enables TCIE's customers to attract and retain good drivers, and make each one of them an ultimate driver, who is adept on fuel saving, minimising operational costs, respecting their truck and cargo, and keeping the roads safe.

The competition structure is created to simulate a general transportation cycle and to visualize a profitable operation through three key test areas; pre-drive inspection on truck condition, fuel efficiency and safety driving, and maneuvering and parking skills. All these will link the driver’s skills to business reality.

“When UDEMC started in Malaysia in 2016, it was the first such drivers’ competition that was organized by a Japanese truck brand in this market that was carved out as our response to meet the growing need for smart logistics, by focusing on the drivers of our trucks,” said Steve Hedouin, Managing Director of UD Trucks Hub Malaysia.

“Truck drivers are absolutely essential to the entire smart logistics process. They are the unsung heroes in the economy, moving goods and cargo every single day, rain or shine. Participating in UDEMC will allow them to see their own positive impact as well as instill a sense of pride in their jobs and inspire them to be exceptional smart logistics drivers. This is what the industry needs for its future growth,” said Say Teck Ming, Executive Director of Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE).

Participation in UDEMC is open to all Malaysian Quester truck drivers employed with UD Trucks’ customers, as they will be tested using the heavy-duty UD Quester truck. The competition is being held in stages comprising of pre-selections in various regions whereby 10 finalists with the best scores will proceed to compete in Malaysia final to be held in TCIE Ipoh. The winner will get to represent Malaysia in an all-expense paid trip to Japan and pit against other foreign truck drivers in the global finals in October 2022. Participants are encourage to sign up for the challenge before 15 June 2022.