Like this article? Sign up for our enews blasts here.

The biennial Automechanika Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s ASEAN’s premier industry event for the automotive sectors of parts & systems, repair & maintenance, accessories & tuning, and service station & car wash. It is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and endorsed by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and supported by Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), as well as 17 local and overseas organisations.

Co-organizing the Mechanics Challenge are MAI, the Department of Skills Development of Malaysia (JPK) and the Federation of Automobile Workshop Owners’ Association of Malaysia (FAWOAM). In addition, the Automotive Technicians of Malaysia Society (ATOMS), the Federation of Engineering and Motor Parts Traders' Association Malaysia (FEMPTAM) and Persatuan Pengusaha Industri-Industri Bengkel Malaysia (PPIBM) are supporting the event.

Commenting on the Mechanics Challenge, Jason Cao, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd says: “Next year’s show has many quality events and attractions and one of these is the return of the exciting Mechanics Challenge competition. Backed by key industry organizations, this is a national competition with workshop teams from across Malaysia battling it out for a place in the grand final which will be held during the show. Regional finalists will be selected through a “pen & paper” exam for the final round and the judges will be technical experts from the industry. We believe that this event will attract many workshop staff to visit the show where they will be able to network and exchange information and technology with their peers, car manufacturers and suppliers.”

Madani Sahari, Chief Executive Officer of MAI addz: “We are proud to be a partner to Messe Frankfurt in co-organizing the Mechanics Challenge event together with FAWOAM. It will promote capacity building of the latest technology in the field of Energy Efficient Vehicles. In addition, Automechanika Kuala Lumpur is another milestone recognizing Malaysia as one of the important automotive hubs in ASEAN. The focus for the 2013 show maintains Malaysia’s position in promoting a green automotive industry aligning the event with the reviewed National Automotive Policy (NAP) that promotes development of an automotive industry that is based on key sustainable pillars i.e. environment, social and economy.”

FAWOAM president Simon Too said that all mechanics participating in the Mechanics Challenge would find it a rewarding experience. He continued: “It’s a challenging competition and the mechanics will learn a lot. What’s more, they will get to use state-of-the-art equipment as well as having an opportunity to work on the latest car autotronics system.”

Cash prizes for the winning teams

The preliminary competition, held at state-level, will be held on 19 January 2013 and prior to that, each team of three mechanics plus one reserve member, must be registered with the organizers through their respective state associations as well as being employed by an independent workshop.

Those taking part in the challenge will first face an examination of multiple choice questions. Then the eight teams with the highest scores among the 13 states will take part in final competition round at Automechanika Kuala Lumpur.

During the final round, workshop teams will have their vehicle, bench and component skills tested in a race against the clock. Each team must also take a written exam and any wrong answers will be converted into time demerits which are added to the team’s time for the “hands-on” mechanical section of the competition.

Winners will be presented with their cash, certificate and trophy awards on 9 March 2013 at the FAWOAM annual convention dinner:

• Champion: RM 7,000 cash and state association where the team is based receives RM 1,500.
• First runner-up: RM 5,000 cash and the state association where the team is based receives RM 1,000.
• Second runner-up: RM 3,000 cash and the state association where the team is based receives RM 500.
• Fourth to eighth placing: RM 1,000 cash and related association receives RM 300.

Participants should register for the Mechanics Challenge with FAWOAM representatives before 28 December 2012 by contacting Ms Janet Leong or Ms Alice Tan at [email protected] or by calling +60 3 6257 7688. Sponsorship opportunities for the competition are available by contacting Mr Mike Kwan at Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, telephone +852 223 89971 or by email at [email protected].