Demonstrating his international calibre, Steve Comber, of Taupo’s Morrell Motors, has achieved second overall in the Subaru World Technical Competition (SWTC) in Tokyo, Japan this week.
It seems it is not just rugby that New Zealand punches well above its global weight in, as Mr Comber has achieved this incredible result at Fuji Heavy Industries’ (FHI) prestigious bi-annual event, featuring technicians from the largest Subaru distributors from around the world, who have qualified for selection in local competitions. After these top 14 technicians pitted their skills against each other, Russia finished in first place with 286 points, New Zealand was a close second on 283 points and Japan third with 278.
Mr Comber was justifiably on cloud nine after receiving this world-class recognition of his technical skills at the FHI Technical Training Centre.
“I really am very happy, and very proud to have come second in the SWTC. Getting to represent your country competing in something that you love doing is a great honour, and to have come second place is amazing,” he says.
Mr Comber adds that New Zealand is a “pretty small player in the world.”
“So to have beaten the big guns like Japan, USA and Australia, I think shows not only our competitive spirit, but also our love for the Subaru brand, which is ideally suited to New Zealand's conditions.”
Subaru of New Zealand’s Technical Manager Phil Hall, assisted Mr Comber in an advisor role at the SWTC and described the competition “very intense.” It involved ttheoretical and practical diagnosis and rectification examinations.Technicians were scored on both time and accuracy and there was huge pressure to compete with excellence in a short time frame.
“I don't normally get nervous about much but during competition sessions, I had knots in my stomach. We were told afterwards that Steve had very consistent high scores in every area - showing how well-rounded New Zealand technicians are,” Mr Hall says.
After travelling to Sydney as an advisor for Mr Comber for the Oceania region qualifying tournamentin August, and accompanying him to Japan for the SWTC, Mr Hall had nothing but praise for Mr Comber.
“Steve is an outstanding technician and poured hours of preparation into this. He is immensely proud to represent New Zealand and of the achievement he has attained.”
Subaru of New Zealand Managing Director Wallis Dumper echoed this praise.
“All of us here at Subaru of New Zealand are delighted for Steve, for earning this well-deserved accolade, which must be one of life’s highlights. Steve represents the pinnacle of the huge pool of talent we have throughout the New Zealand Subaru dealer network making sure the most important people in our business - the customers - are satisfied. With the invisible advantages of our Symmetrical All Wheel Drive and beauty of our boxer engine technology it must be reassuring for Subaru drivers to know that factory-trained technicians are not only skilled, but are literally right up there with the best in the world,” Mr Dumper says.
It has been a stellar year for Mr Comber – a technician with 25 years’ experience – after he was selected by Subaru of New Zealand from its dealer network, as its representative, following his top result in the national qualification exam. He went on to win a spot in the SWTC at the Sydney-based Oceania qualifying tournament, before his ultimate achievement in Japan, of finishing runner-up in the world.
He was looking forward to getting home to Taupo in a few days to see his family and applying some of the practical aspects of his momentous achievement to his workplace.
“I will bring with me to Morrell Motors, the skills and passion for Subaru that this competition has fostered, so we can provide our customers the very best experience in owning their Subaru,” Mr Comber says.
CAPTION: New Zealand’s Steve Comber (left) was second in the Subaru World Technical Competition in Japan this week. He is pictured with the winning technician from Russia (centre) and the third placed technician from Japan (right). Photo is free for editorial use.
For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand Public Relations - Catherine Pattison (027) 4455 389 or email catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz