As the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation, driven by the rise of electric vehicles and increasingly demanding consumers, automakers are placing a greater emphasis on training their sales and service staff.

Lexus Korea’s Skill Contest

Lexus Korea recently held its 2024 Lexus Skill Contest, a biennial event designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of its dealership employees. This year's contest, themed "All Together for Customer Happiness," featured competitions in various categories, including sales consulting, service advising, parts specialization, customer support, and technical skills.

A notable addition to this year's contest was the new "Sales Consultant" category, which assessed participants' ability to provide excellent customer service, offer tailored financial products, and handle used car inquiries. The company also introduced a new evaluation category that assessed the collaboration between service advisors and parts specialists, reflecting the evolving needs of the automotive industry.

"The Toyota Group's skill contests provide a solid foundation for delivering exceptional customer service in both sales and service," said Kang Dae-hwan, Vice President of Lexus Korea.

Hyundai Motor’s Grandmaster Certification

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group, facing increased competition from Chinese automakers and the challenges posed by the global economic landscape, is also focusing on enhancing its customer service. The company recently held its 2024 Grandmaster Certification Program, aimed at recognizing and rewarding its top service engineers.

The program, which has been running since 2012, evaluates the technical skills of service engineers across various disciplines, including electric vehicles, internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles, and advanced driver assistance systems. The top performers are awarded the prestigious "Grandmaster" certification.

"Through the 2024 Grandmaster Certification Program, we are able to showcase the expertise of our service engineers who are at the forefront of customer service," said a Hyundai Motor spokesperson. "As we expand our electric vehicle lineup and introduce new technologies, it is essential that our service engineers have the skills and knowledge to provide our customers with the highest level of service."