Surajpur, 27th November 2017: To upgrade the skill sets of its technicians, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) conducted the 8th edition of the National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP) 2017. Taking along another step forward to ensure deployment of thoroughly skilled technical manpower, the 1st edition of a new contest NPGP (National Parts Manager Grand Prix) was also conducted at the company's Surajpur Plant in Greater Noida. The three day-long contest for the coveted title of "No.1 Position" within Yamaha in India which had 60 finalists from across India with 20 finalists in each category - Service technician, Service advisor and Parts manager.

1st edition of NPGP was designed this time to judge the contestants' skill sets in the areas of Spare Part distribution and management, Warehouse handling and managing parts inventory. Under this new edition, a total number of 257 contestants had registered from across India.

Another new category of "Service Advisor" is introduced here in the 8th edition of NTGP to strengthen the delegation of roles at the dealership levels with an objective of delivering "Kando" (i.e. a feeling of intense excitement and deep satisfaction) to Yamaha customers.

In this unique nationwide contest which aims at strengthening the role of Customer Service Engagement, 3055 contestants from all over India competed in their respective category. The finalists from technician category will be eligible to represent India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) in the World Technician Grand Prix (WTGP) 2018 in Japan. From the Regional round, 240 winners were selected from 4 Zones in the Zonal Round. From the Zonal Round, 60 winners (20 from all zones in each category) were selected to compete in the final round here in Greater Noida.

The NTGP contest is designed to judge the contestants' skill sets in the areas of "Quality repair", "Quick Repair" and "Economical Repair", thus intensifying the commitment of Yamaha to provide amiable customer service. To judge the level of these skills, the contestants are tested in Theory, Trouble Shooting, Repair, Final Inspection, Engine Noise, Vehicle Receiving and Delivery on actual two-wheelers with speed, accuracy and the skillsets to support customer services. The winners are decided on the basis of cumulative score earned in all of these test areas.

Mr. Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Planning, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd., said, "Yamaha's corporate mission is to create "Kando", i.e. in its endeavour to realize peoples' dreams with ingenuity and passion, Yamaha as a company supports its customers' expectations with product or concept that delivers exceptional value and deep satisfaction. IYM has been successful to be the title winner at the WTGP twice in a row, and is hopeful that India's participants will again create history in the WTGP 2018 in Japan."

The contest is in sync with Yamaha's idea of producing world class technicians, who are up-to-date with the technological upgradations. It also provides the contestants an opportunity to witness the best talents within their peer groups.

"At Yamaha, a constant endeavour to offer exciting and excellent product line up to the customers is backed by providing them with excellent value added services and best-in-class after sales experience. NTGP bears testimony of Yamaha's commitment towards its customers as well as its employees. This year, Yamaha moved another step ahead by conducting the first ever NPGP and adding service advisor category to the existing NTGP. This way Yamaha intends to not only create world class technicians but also focus on service delivery and spare parts experts," Mr. Singh added.

National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP) was first held in India in 2010 which received participation from 350 technicians. Yamaha has been conducting the National Technician Grand Prix every year ever since and has witnessed an increase in participation year on year (2011: 650 technicians, 2012: 850 technicians, 2013: 726 technicians, 2014: 932 technicians, 2015: 1385 technicians, 2016: 1877 technicians). Top technicians had represented India in the World Technician Grand Prix (WTGP) of 2012, 2014 & 2016 and won consecutively in 2014 and 2016.

India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd (IYM) won the No. 1 Technician Title in the Commuter Model Class at the 7th World Technician Grand Prix 2016 (WTGP) that was held in Japan. Yamaha Motor Company (YMC), Japan organizes World Technician Grand Prix championship once in two years where winners of National Technician Grand Prix gets chance to compete for the prestigious title of No.1 Technician in the world.

Yamaha has been keeping direction of "One to One Service" to realize Customer Satisfaction, focusing on professional technical skills, job explanation and special care treatment for customer. YTA (Yamaha Technical Academy) is its main education program functionary and is established worldwide through Yamaha Service Network in order to develop Professional technicians, in other words "Professional Technical Doctor".

In the same line under CSR initiative, Yamaha Training School is also playing a major role for relatively indigent youngsters including girls. India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) signed a MoU with Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) for affiliation of all courses running at Yamaha Training School (YTS). Yamaha is the first and only among the two-wheeler companies in India, with ASDC approved training program for "Automotive Service Technician" category under its CSR activity.

As a part of its continued CSR initiative, Yamaha is poised to adopt Government/Private Technical Institutes and will continue to partner with reputed NGOs across India to launch Yamaha Training Schools with Yamaha Technical Academy (YTA) certification. Till date, 42 MoUs are signed and 35 YTSs are operational across India.