New Delhi, 02nd December 2016: The seventh edition of the National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP) 2016 organized by India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) was held at the company's Surajpur Plant in Greater Noida. The contest spanned across a period of three days (30th Nov to 2nd December, 2016) wherein 20 finalists from across India competed for the coveted title of "No.1 Yamaha Technician" in India for 2016.

In this unique nationwide contest which aims at strengthening the role of Customer Service Engagement, 1877 contestants from all over India competed for the prestigious title. The finalists will be eligible to represent India Yamaha Motor in the World Technician Grand Prix (WTGP) 2018 in Japan. From the Regional round, 100 winners were selected from 4 Zones in Zonal round. From the Zonal round 20 winners (5 from each zone) were selected to compete in the final round here in Greater Noida. The contest is designed to judge the contestants' skill in the areas of "proper service", "timely service" and "efficient service" which communicates the image of the Yamaha Brand and providing amiable customer service. To judge the level of these skills, the contestants are tested in Theory, Trouble shooting, Repair, Final Inspection, Engine Noise, Wiring test on actual two-wheelers with speed, accuracy and skill of dealing with customers (customer and vehicle reception). The winners are decided on the basis of cumulative points earned in all of these test areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Vice President, Strategy & Planning, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd., said, "Yamaha's corporate mission is to create Kando i.e. in its endeavor to realize peoples' dreams with ingenuity and passion, Yamaha as a company supports its customers' expectations with product or concept that delivers exceptional value and deep satisfaction. IYM has been successful to be the title winner at the WTGP twice in a row, and is hopeful that India's participants will again create history in the WTGP 2018 in Japan. At Yamaha, a constant endeavour to offer exciting and excellent product line up to the customers is backed by providing them with excellent value added services and best-in-class after sales experience. NTGP bears testimony of Yamaha's commitment towards its customers as well as its employees."

National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP) was first held in India in 2010 which received participation from 350 technicians. Yamaha has been organizing the National Technician Grand Prix every year ever since and has witnessed an increase in participation year on year (2011: 650 technicians, 2012: 850 technicians, 2013: 726 technicians, 2014: 932 and 2015: 1385 technicians). The winners of NTGP have so far given representation in the World Technician Grand Prix's of 2012, 2014 & 2016 and won World Technician Grand Prix in 2014 and 2016.

India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd (IYM) won the No. 1 Technician Title in the Commuter Model Class at the 7th World Technician Grand Prix 2016 (WTGP) that was held recently in Japan. Yamaha Motor Company (YMC), Japan organizes World Technician Grand Prix championship once in two years where winners of National Technician Grand Prix gets chance to compete for the prestigious title of No.1 Technician in the world.

Yamaha has been keeping direction of "One to One Service" to realize Customer Satisfaction, focusing on professional technical skills, job explanation and special care treatment for customer. YTA (Yamaha Technical Academy) is its main education program which is established worldwide through Yamaha Service Network to develop Professional technicians; in other words "Professional Technical Doctor".

In the same line, under CSR initiative, Yamaha Training School is also playing a major role for relatively indigent youngsters including girls. Yamaha has also signed MoU with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSME), Government of India under which certification will be provided by NCVT which is a national recognition for its endeavours and are in sync with the national agendas like 'Skill India' and 'Make in India'". With this, Yamaha becomes the first two wheeler company to get NCVT approval under flexi MoU. NCVT certification is recognized internationally. By the end of 2016, Yamaha will have a total of 37 operational YTS and in 2017 Yamaha plans to add another 15 YTS.