UD Trucks Southern Africa is proud to announce the winners of its Extra Mile Challenge driver competition. Tatiya Sisilia from Clover SA in Johannesburg won the Quon category, while Chuttur Sunilduth from Serveng Ltd Mauritius walked away with top honours in the Quester category.
Both drivers and their managers will be travelling to the UD Experience Centre in Ageo, Japan in October to compete against UD Trucks fleet drivers from around the world to be crowned the best of the best.
The UD Extra Mile Challenge is UD Trucks’ global driver competition and now in its fourth year. It uniquely simulates a typical transport cycle from pre-inspection, fuel efficiency and safe driving to parking skills – all evaluating a driver’s skill to business reality.
Locally, 15 fleet drivers competed in the two categories, and for the first time included drivers from countries outside of SA namely Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Namibia.
UD Trucks is committed to go the extra mile for smart logistics and the unsung hero at the heart of this vision is the truck driver.
“Around the world transportation companies are facing a severe challenge: a lack of skilled drivers. Our goal is to help our customers attract good drivers and to make each one of them an ultimate driver. Ultimate drivers save fuel and operational costs, care about the truck, the cargo and the environment, and put safety first at all times,” said Gert Swanepoel, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa.
He said that ultimate drivers aren’t simply born with exceptional driving skills. They must go through a period of learning, spending time on the road, perfecting their skills, kilometre after kilometre.
“Our aim is to help accelerate this process to allow more drivers to become ultimate drivers as quickly as possible. That’s why we offer comprehensive driver training programmes and that is why the UD Extra Mile Challenge was created,” explained Swanepoel.
However, the UD Extra Mile Challenge is not only about technical ability. The focus is as much on mindset. The competition encourages drivers to think more commercially by highlighting the trade-offs between speed, delivery time, fuel efficiency, safety and smooth driving.
“We wish both drivers all the best and know they will do us, their companies and the region proud,” concluded Swanepoel.
Results of UD Extra Mile Challenge Southern Africa
Quon Category
- Tatiya Sisilia from Clover SA
- Thembela Sithela from Dairy Farmers of SA
- Norman Zwane from Air Products (SA)
Quester Category
- Chuttur Sunilduth from Serveng Ltd Mauritius
- Robson Chazuka from Irvine’s Zimbabwe
- Benedict Mabunda from Vital Fleets
