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Martin Volz of Holmes Hyundai Places Fourth in Worldwide Hyundai Competition

9 December 1999

Martin Volz of Holmes Hyundai Places Fourth in Worldwide Hyundai Competition

    DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- Holmes Automotive Group is proud
to announce that Martin Volz, a technician at Holmes Hyundai, placed fourth in
the World Skills Olympics held at Hyundai Motor Corporation's (HMC) World
Training Center in Chon-An, Korea on October 21.  The event tested the
technical skills of over 60 of the best technicians from Hyundai distributors
worldwide. Martin was selected to be one of only four technicians to attend
the competition from over 1,500 Hyundai technicians working in the United
States.
    "We are very proud of Martin," said Max Holmes, president and CEO of the
Holmes Automotive Group.  "We have always felt our service technicians are the
best, and Martin's performance in Chon-An proves he really is one the finest
in the world."
    At the daylong competition, participants were evaluated on how quickly and
accurately they could diagnose vehicle problems involving 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.
    "I had the opportunity to attend the competition and have watched Martin
work in the Holmes facility," said Jim Kubowski, field training manager for
Hyundai Motor America.  "He is the best, most mechanically adept technician I
have ever known.  Ironically, Martin flew to Korea with the flu and placed
fourth.  His illness, in my opinion, may have impacted his finish.  I have
little doubt he has the capability to place first."
    Martin competed with technicians such as Kwek Keng Poh, a technician from
Singapore who trained at the world Hyundai facility in Korea, and Hasan
Yuukcu, a mechanical engineer from Turkey.  These technicians placed first and
second respectively.
    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.
    The Holmes Automotive Group is located at I-80/35 and Hickman Road in Des
Moines.  The Holmes new vehicle dealerships include Oldsmobile, GMC Truck,
Honda and Hyundai.  Holmes Automotive Group has sold new and used vehicles
since 1947 and has been in its current location since 1986.