UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) reaffirmed its commitment to human capital development and service excellence with the hosting of the Toyota Skills Contest 2025, an annual showcase of skill, dedication, and craftsmanship among Toyota professionals across Malaysia.
Held under the inspiring theme “Customer First, Quality First,” this year’s event brought together participants from across Toyota’s nationwide network—representing technicians, advisors, and sales personnel—alongside dignitaries from the Ministry of Education, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), and various private institutions. The contest served as a reflection of Toyota’s belief that people are the true driving force behind the brand’s reputation for quality and trust.
“People are at the heart of everything we do,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “Our success has always been built on the skills, values, and pride of our people. The Toyota Skills Contest is a celebration of that spirit and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals who will drive Malaysia’s mobility future.”
He added that as the automotive industry transitions toward electrification and digitalisation, Toyota remains focused on empowering individuals to uphold the company’s Kaizen (continuous improvement) philosophy and to embody the spirit of integrity, compassion, and capability that define Toyota’s “Best in Town” aspiration.
The Toyota Skills Contest 2025 featured nine competitive categories and one Best Team Award, covering key operational areas including:
- Customer Relations
- GS Technician Diagnosis
- GS Technician Maintenance and Repair
- GS Service Advisor
- Parts Assistant
- Sales Advisor
- Admin Assistant
- Workshop Controller
- B&P Service Advisor
The prestigious Best Team Award was presented to Laser Motor PJ Sdn Bhd, which took home RM20,000 in recognition of exceptional teamwork and consistent delivery of customer-first service. In total, over RM155,000 in cash prizes were distributed to individuals and teams that best embodied Toyota’s principles of professionalism, precision, and passion.
These awards underscore Toyota’s unwavering commitment to its “Customer First” and “Quality First” philosophies—principles rooted in the Five Main Principles of Toyoda, which emphasise Kaizen and Genchi Genbutsu (on-site problem solving). Through these values, Toyota employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate, and deliver excellence in every customer interaction.
Beyond competition, the Skills Contest serves as a key platform for benchmarking and advancing Malaysia’s technical capabilities to meet international standards. Through written assessments, diagnostic challenges, and customer service simulations, participants are tested on their expertise, accuracy, and interpersonal skills.
Top-performing individuals will represent Malaysia at regional Toyota Skills Contests, further showcasing the country’s growing technical excellence within the ASEAN network.
Many of the contestants began their journeys through the Toyota Technical Education Programme (T-TEP)—a collaborative initiative between UMWT and Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Since its inception in 1991, T-TEP has nurtured over 7,000 graduates from 25 partner institutions, offering hands-on training and viable career pathways in the automotive industry.
At the foundation of Toyota’s philosophy lies a timeless belief: “We make people before we make cars.” This people-first approach is reflected in every initiative that UMW Toyota Motor undertakes, focusing on empowering individuals across its ecosystem—employees, suppliers, dealers, and service partners alike.
By continuously developing human capital and promoting a culture of learning and excellence, Toyota sustains its competitiveness while fostering resilience and trust across communities.
Ultimately, the Toyota Skills Contest is more than a competition—it’s a reaffirmation of Toyota’s mission to deliver quality with heart, precision with purpose, and service with sincerity. Through continuous investment in education, innovation, and skill development, UMW Toyota Motor continues to drive Malaysia’s automotive industry forward, one empowered individual and one trusted relationship at a time.
