VISTA reaches the semi-final stage

VISTA – Volvo Trucks’ and Volvo Buses’ worldwide competition and training programme for aftermarket, parts and service personnel – has now reached the regional semi-finals, which are being held at seven locations over five continents. A record 3,500 teams from 70 countries entered, but these have been gradually reduced to around 150 teams and 600 participants. The winners will go on to the world finals to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden this June.

VISTA is the biggest training programme of its kind in the world, and its main aim is to enhance the expertise of technicians as well as Aftermarket personnel, administrators and warranty staff. High competence in the service organisation is an important component in Volvo Trucks’ and Volvo Buses’ total offer. This applies equally well in the current economic downturn since service requirements grow as many customers postpone the renewal of their vehicle fleets.

“By the time the VISTA world champions are announced this June, the competition will have involved more than 300,000 hours of training, much of that in employees’ free time since the competitors have often been immensely dedicated and highly motivated,” says Johanna Lundberg, overall project manager for VISTA.

High quality in service operations
After three local rounds dealing mainly with theory, the winning teams from almost 50 countries move on to the regional semi-finals. This round includes both theory and practical exercises and will be decided during March and April at seven locations on five continents.

From this stage, 28 teams will graduate to the World finals to be held in Gothenburg on June 11th, which has been timed to coincide to when the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race have a stop-over at nearby Marstrand.

“VISTA is an important part of our drive to achieve higher quality in Volvo’s customer care,” says Staffan Jufors, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks. “We hope the competition and the amazing dedication that the participants show will also help raise the status of the mechanic’s profession in general - and Volvo’s workshops in particular - so that we can attract the most skilled people.”

“Volvo has held competitions for mechanics for more than 50 years and we are really happy that every time we succeed in beating our previous record for the number of participants. Both the semi-finals and the world finals will be highly exciting events, where knowledge and skills will truly come into sharp focus,” adds Staffan Jufors.

Three semi-finals are being staged at the Volvo Group headquarters in Warwick. These include the UK/Benelux group (March 26/27) - which feature 10 teams from Volvo Dealerships around the UK - all competing for two World final places. These include representatives from Aberdeen, Ayr, Blyth, Felixstowe (2 teams), Hythe, Preston, Spalding, Washington and West Thurrock.

The Nordic Group regional semi-final will be held on March 30/31, followed by the Central European semi-final on April 2/3.