Five hundred participants from nine countries across the globe took part in the challenge. UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge aims to promote the safest and most fuel-efficient of drivers.
UD Trucks has recently announced that two drivers from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are among the ten winners of the Truck brand’s global 2020 Extra Mile Challenge. The winners of the individual market driving competitions were celebrated in a virtual ceremony to honour and officially crown the Ultimate Drivers.
The UD Extra Mile Challenge started in 2015 and is a global driver competition that simulates a day in a truck driver’s life. The challenge tests pre-inspection and driving techniques including fuel efficiency, safe driving and parking skills. The local markets usually hold the qualification rounds and the winners travel to take part in the Global Final held at the UD Experience Centre in the headquarters in Japan.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all local market winners were chosen as Ultimate Drivers, a worthy designation considering these drivers kept trucks moving despite the pandemic, continuing to deliver the goods and necessities that we all depend on.
Ultimate Driver Challenge
In Abu Dhabi, UD Trucks’ partner Al Masaood took part in the challenge to find the ultimate driver. Around 40 UD Trucks drivers from different industries including construction and waste management were invited to participate in the market’s final. The winner was Khalid Aboud from Western Bainoona Group, one of the leading construction and transportation companies in the UAE.
In Qatar, dealer Jaidah Heavy Equipment hosted its Extra Mile Challenge with 35 drivers from various sectors taking part. The winner was Sameer Shah from leading waste management and environmental services company, Power Waste Management.
The challenge consisted of a serious of tests, with the first being a pre-inspection exam, followed by a series of parking tests including Diminishing line, Forward side move, and the Reverse side move tests manoeuvrability skills and emphasise the importance of pre-inspection to avoid downtime. Lastly, a theory test was conducted to examine the drivers’ safety, fuel efficiency and technical knowledge.
Efficient, skilled drivers, an asset
While the pandemic has also fuelled the growth of e-commerce, the logistics industry remains highly competitive, making efficient drivers an essential asset for trucking companies. The ability of the driver to maximise fuel efficiency not only contributes to the bottom line but helps reduce emissions and environmental impacts. The Extra Mile Challenge is a way to promote and recognise the safest and most fuel-efficient drivers on our roads today.
The winners were selected among 500 drivers, who competed in qualifying rounds held across nine countries – Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Each winner was awarded an ‘Ultimate Driver’ prize box and two virtual airline tickets to Japan, which will be converted to actual tickets once the pandemic subsides and standard international travel resumes.
“Every year we see a rise in the number of participants. In this latest edition we had a combined total of over 50 drivers taking part in the events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and we look forward to welcoming many more in the future,” commented Mourad Hedna, President, UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa.
