Napier tech off to Korea, again

14 August 2007 Immediate release

Napier tech off to Korea, again

Napier technician Steven Niethe will represent New Zealand at an international Hyundai competition in South Korea.

The talented mechanical guru from Bayswater Vehicles won this weekend’s Hyundai Skills Olympics and will face the world’s best at the factory Training Centre at the end of October.

He will go to the seventh World Skills Olympics at Chonan, 100km south of Seoul, an event held every two years offering international kudos and a significant prize pool.

In a gruelling day of vehicle diagnostics and repair in Auckland, Steven Niethe surpassed three challengers in the New Zealand final.

It’s familiar territory. He won the New Zealand title four years ago and goes to the world event well prepared for what is ahead.

Steven saw off a fellow Bayswater tech, Hayden Firth, as well as John Hunter and Isaac Powell from Gary Cockram Hyundai in Christchurch, in the national final.

“This competition is an important part of Hyundai’s positioning as a global technology leader,” commented the National Technical Trainer of Hyundai NZ Maurice Rotherham, who will accompany Steve to South Korea.

“Technology is moving very fast and the hi-tech features found on today’s Hyundai vehicles were reserved for premium and luxury brands just a few years ago.

“That means our technicians must constantly be ahead of the game, enhancing skills to world-leading levels.

“We have a philosophy of get it right first time, and the Skills Olympics tests these technicians’ ability across a series of tasks within set time limits.

“Steve is a worthy winner, he came through some very tricky challenges with flying colours,” said Mr. Rotherham.

- Hyundai is on a meteoric rise in New Zealand with almost 400 percent growth in four years and numerous new locations among its 23 dealerships. The brand has been imported into New Zealand by the Giltrap Group for the past 25 years.

- Worldwide Hyundai was the sixth largest automaker in 2006, selling in 193 countries and employing 50,000 people. Forty years old, Hyundai has targeted customer satisfaction as its 2007 keynote, part of the brand's overall aim to become global quality leader.

-Hyundai is a committed sponsor of sports and cultural organisations in New Zealand and worldwide. See www.hyundai.co.nz

- For further information about Hyundai vehicles in New Zealand, including high resolution images and an archive of press releases, log onto the dedicated Hyundai Media website at www.hyundai.co.nz/media

For the international media news room, where you can download press releases, high-resolution photos, as well as preview and request broadcast-standard video which will be delivered digitally or by tape, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/HyundaiMotor. Registration and video is free to accredited media.

ENDS

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