James Daly from Eblen Subaru Glenelg in South Australia has won the 2024 Subaru Australia Technician Competition and will head to the world championship in Tokyo, Japan, in November.
Daly says he triumphed after falling short in the 2023 finals.
Last year, the Australian Technician Champion, Richard Fergusson of Eblen Subaru Glenelg, won the highly competitive 2023 Subaru World Technician Competition
To continue this legacy, Subaru Australia hosted the 2024 Australian Technical Competition finals at Bosch Oceania HQ in Melbourne. Australia’s five finalists were:
- James Daly – Eblen Subaru Glenelg, SA
- Graham Dell – Subaru Aspley, QLD
- Jake Brandley – Llewellyn Subaru, QLD
- Ben Figdor – Subaru Glen Waverly, VIC
- Noriel Llanetta – Bathurst Subaru, NSW
Each contestant faced the challenge of diagnosing and repairing electrical and mechanical issues pre-programmed into their assigned vehicles.
Under the watchful eyes of Subaru Australia’s technical and training team, the technicians had two hours to complete four tasks and showcase their skills.
After an intense competition, Daly emerged as the winner.
“It’s a huge honour,” Daly says. “I have spent many hours studying and training, which has paid off. It was a difficult series of challenges that tested our skills and brand knowledge, and everyone performed well.
“The competition doesn’t end here, though; the next challenge in Japan will be the hardest yet, and I will work hard to give myself and Australia the best chance of success,” he says.
Daly was presented with the Gary Mathews Memorial Award, a tribute to the legacy of Gary Mathews, a long-term Subaru Master Technician at Eblen Subaru.
Subaru Australia’s General Manager of Ownership Experience, Mark Robinson, says all five finalists did a stellar job to make it to the 2024 Subaru Australia Technician Competition.
“This competition not only showcases the exceptional skill within the Subaru Retailer Network but also highlights the dedication and expertise of our technicians nationwide,” Robinson says.
“Congratulations to James, who demonstrated excellent skill and composure under immense pressure. We stand behind him wholeheartedly and wish him the best of luck in Japan in November,” he says.
