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3 Hyundai Technicians Place Among Top 5 At The World Skills Olympics

18 October 1999

Three Hyundai Motor America Technicians Place Among Top Five At The World Skills Olympics In Korea

         Daniel Barros from Difeo Hyundai in Jersey City, New Jersey,
        Brings Home the Bronze Medal From the Third Annual Competition

    FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 15 -- Hyundai Motor America's
(HMA) Daniel Barros from Difeo Hyundai in Jersey City, New Jersey, won the
bronze medal at the third annual World Skills Olympics held October 12 at
Hyundai Motor Corporation's (HMC) World Training Center in Chon-An, Korea.
The biannual event tested the technical skills of over 60 technicians
representing Hyundai distributors worldwide.
    At the day-long competition, participants were evaluated on how quickly
and accurately they could diagnose vehicle problems involving the engine,
automatic/manual transaxles, and electrical systems.  Each technician worked
on various vehicles, each one demonstrating a different mechanical problem
that had to be diagnosed.  Following the hands-on portion of the competition,
participants took a two-hour written test, which further verified their
technical knowledge.
    Martin Volz from Holmes Hyundai in Des Moines, Iowa tied for fourth place
with Barry Berendt from Drew Hyundai in La Mesa, Calif.  Steve Williams from
Hub Hyundai in Houston, Texas placed fifth at the competition.
    "We're very proud of all of our technicians representing Hyundai Motor
America," said Pete Egus, manager of service technology for Hyundai Motor
America.  "This further demonstrates the exceptional technical skills and
expertise Hyundai dealers offer their customers."
    "Hyundai Motor America is committed to seeing that every Hyundai vehicle
is fixed right the first time," continued Egus.  "The training that every
Hyundai technician receives is part of the company's never-ending efforts to
improve service for all of its customers."
    For third place, Barros took home $1,000, and a World Skills Olympics
bronze medal and plaque.  In addition to competing, the 60 technicians toured
various Korean Cultural sites, and were given a special tour of Hyundai's Asan
Assembly Plant where the mid-size Sonata is built.
    Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary
of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.  Hyundai cars are distributed in the United
States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through nearly 500
dealerships nationwide.