Škoda: Put through its paces
BRAND SPECIALISTS The Swiss championship of the Škoda Challenge was held at the Amag Academy in Schinznach-Bad. The best specialists from dealerships and service outlets competed for victory in three categories.
Qualification for the Swiss championship of the Škoda Challenge 2024 began in December last year. Specialists from Škoda dealerships and service companies were able to recommend themselves for participation in the final in the form of an online test. Participants in three categories were tested on their specialist knowledge of the Škoda brand, as well as processes, products and services. Around 160 specialists took part in the qualification, and the eight best in each category made it to the final.
Technical expertise
The final of the Škoda Challenge 2024 took place from March 19 to 22 at the Amag Academy in Schinznach-Bad. The finalists in the Car Mechanic/Diagnostic Technician category had to locate faults installed in vehicles, master work with high-voltage components and answer questions about the brand, among other things. The finalists in the Sales Consultant/Sales Manager category were tested on their knowledge of models, accessories and electromobility, as well as their expertise in advising on and using Škoda Connect services and the infotainment system. The finalists in the Service Advisor/Service Manager category had to demonstrate their knowledge of the brand and electric mobility. In this category, particular emphasis was placed on the topics of connectivity, accessories and order potential.
Title hat-trick
The award ceremony took place on April 19. The category Car Mechanic/Diagnostic Technician The winner is Dirk Zierold, automotive diagnostician from hoffmann automobile AG in Aesch. Second place went to Christian Brunner, automotive diagnostician from Autohaus von Känel AG in Frutigen. Third place went to Valentin Epp, automotive diagnostician from Auto Service Zentrum GmbH in Schattdorf.
In the category Sales Consultant/Sales Manager Andreas Seeholzer, Škoda Sales Manager at Amag Uster, defended his title from the two previous years and won for the third time in a row. He is followed in second place by Yannick Wettstein, Škoda Managing Director at Autohaus von Känel AG in Frutigen. Armin Matter, Škoda Managing Director of Kreuz-Garage Willisau AG, also made it onto the podium in third place.
Also in the category Service Advisor/Service Manager the winner celebrates for the third time in a row. Stefan Ziegler, Operations Manager at Auto Service Zentrum GmbH in Schattdorf and former Škoda Challenge World Champion, defends the title again and takes the hat-trick. Last year's runner-up Roger Glarner, Service Manager at Amag Uster, takes silver again. Yannic Wey, customer service advisor at Auto Service Zentrum GmbH in Schattdorf, comes third.
