Volkswagen employees from across the globe compete

Volkswagen employees from across the globe compete

Published 26-06-2013

A team of four top Network employees have taken part in the Volkswagen Retail Qualification World Championship (RQWC) international finals in Wolfsburg, including Lancaster Volkswagen's Clare Culkin.

The competition brought together people from 80 countries to show how each section of those businesses work together to achieve success.

This finals, held from 29 May and 1 June, pooled the knowledge and skill of Service Advisors, Master Technicians, Sales Executives and Parts Advisors to underline how Retailer sales and aftersales teams can work together to increase quality and customer satisfaction.

After three rounds of the RQWC in the UK, a team of four winners was chosen to represent these shores. The proud members were Master Technician Chris McLachlan from Heritage of Bristol, Service Advisor Clare Culkin from Lancaster Volkswagen, Parts Advisor David Appleton from South Hereford Garages of Hereford and Sales Executive Craig Daniels from Barnards Volkswagen Stowmarket.

Clare, Craig, Chris and David were proud to represent the UK at the RQWC finals with teams from 80 countries.

The quartet spent three days in Germany, where they took part in the international finals against 300 other competitors. They were also given a tour of the Factory, Autostadt museum and training facilities, enjoyed a driving experience and attended the gala presentation evening.

As you would expect, the UK contingent were delighted to have been part of the finals. David said: “Everything about the RQWC has been fantastic. Even though we didn’t win it, we definitely made some lifelong friends and memories that will never be forgotten.”

Clare added: “I have had an amazing time at the national competition and the RQWC in Wolfsburg, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to compete and to meet some brilliant people. We had a wonderful time in Wolfsburg, with some fantastic new experiences such as off-roading and driving the e-Golf and visiting the Factory.”

Chris said: “Competing in the RQWC was an amazing experience, and it was an honour to represent the UK as a Master Technician. Having the chance to see and speak to people from around the world really shows how great the Volkswagen brand is.”

Volkswagen UK Director Robert Hazelwood spent time with the team at the finals and said “The RQWC are an excellent and practical demonstration of our One Business ethos, showing how the different sections of the Retailer businesses can work together to give our customers an easy and enjoyable experience every time they visit a showroom or workshop. It was a delight to spend time with the UK’s team who are so clearly on board with our ambition."

Itinerary for UK team

Day 1: Opening ceremony (above) at the Volkswagen Sales and Service Academy in Kästorf where our team were presented with certificates and medals for their national achievement.

Day 2: Driving experience at the ADAC Driving Safety Centre in Hanover, where our four drove the Touareg to get to grips with its off-road abilities. They also enjoyed an eco-driving event featuring the new electric Golf, Segways and electric scooters. Professional drivers took the team on a race track in the Scirocco R to show them what the hot coupé can really do and finally the team put the New Golf through its paces to get a sense of its pre-crash technology. The UK One Business presentation team challenge was followed by an evening reception in the Autostadt museum.

Day 3: A tour of the Wolfsburg factory to see the New Golf, Golf Plus, Tiguan and Touran being built and a tour of the Autostadt, followed by QWC practical and theory tests at the Volkswagen Sales and Service Academy in Kästorf. The evening event was a celebratory dinner and awards for the top countries. The UK team were joined at their table by Volkswagen Director, Robert Hazelwood, Board Member for Sales and Marketing of the Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Christian Klingler, Head of Aftersales for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Michael Horn and Executive Director Sales Strategy and Business Development Volkswagen, Gert Schardey.

We are very proud of Clare and her achievements at Lancaster Volkswagen.