World’s Top Auto Technicians Pit Their Skills at 2023 Hyundai World Skill Olympics

SEOUL, October 27, 2023 – Hyundai Motor Company successfully completed the 2023 Hyundai World Skill Olympics (WSO) from October 23–26, drawing the company’s top automotive service experts from around the world for an intense skills competition and camaraderie. 

The biennial WSO is designed to improve technicians’ skills through systematic training and by sharing up-to-date information in a uniquely interactive environment. 

This year’s competition was especially meaningful as it was the first in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held at the Hyundai Cheonan Global Learning Center and Novotel Seoul Yongsan Hotel in Korea this week, this year’s event drew 138 participants, including 75 technicians and 63 supervisors from 56 countries.

The contestants at the WSO Finals in Korea were selected as the representatives of their countries through local competitions at either a national or regional level.  

Over the course of four days, the contenders competed in three separate groups based on their expertise — internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles and commercial vehicles — and went through written and practical tests. In addition, this year’s WSO introduced a test conducted in virtual reality (VR). Hyundai Motor expects to further utilize VR technology in its technician education and on its evaluation platform. 

“This year, we gave our esteemed competitors a fresh challenge with the latest technology,” said B.S. Kang, Vice President and Head of Global Service Subdivision. “We have also reflected the latest automotive market trends in the WSO competition by dividing it into three competitive sections based on vehicle types. This new approach will encourage our global technicians to continuously enhance their skills, especially when we are in the transition process for data-driven vehicle services and related technologies.”

After the fierce competition, Hyundai Motor named Haydar Ali from Indonesia the 2023 WSO Grand Champion. 

“I have practiced for this competition for over three months,” said Haydar Ali, the 2023 WSO Grand Champion. “The tasks given were difficult to solve, but we are honored that we made it.”

In addition, Hyundai Motor awarded outstanding contestants in each category with gold, silver and bronze medals. In total, the 2023 WSO produced a Grand Champion, three gold medalists, six silver medalists and seven bronze medalists.

As part of the itinerary, all participants had a chance to visit tourist attractions in Seoul, including Gyeongbokgung Palace. They also enjoyed the Hyundai brand experience, visiting Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, Hyundai Motor Asan Factory and Hyundai Steel Company’s Gwangyang Steelworks.