Kia Holds 12th Skill World Cup To Identify Top Global Mobility Technicians
42
40
708
What Happened
The 12th Kia Skill World Cup was held from May 19 to 21, 2026, at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul and Kia Osan Training Center in Yongin, Korea. First launched in 2002, the biennial event tests technicians on service theory, vehicle diagnostics, and component analysis. This year, the competition added new evaluation criteria for electric vehicles and expanded the range of vehicle models used in practical tests.
708
Gold Award winner Tom Sharples from the United Kingdom.
- Gold: Tom Sharples (United Kingdom) - $5,000
- Silver: Guo Wenlei (China) and Aaron Addison (United States) - $3,000 each
- Bronze: Jorian van Harten (Netherlands), Max Umbs (US), Maciej Podlecki (Poland) - $2,000 each
- Excellence Awards: Six participants - $500 each
Why this matters
The competition ensures Kia's service network is prepared for the shift to electrified vehicles by testing technicians on real-world diagnostics and EV-related skills, aiming to maintain high customer service standards worldwide.
Terms in This Story
- Biennially
- Occurring every two years.
- Electrification
- The process of powering vehicles by electricity instead of fossil fuels.
- Service network
- The system of authorized dealerships and service centers that maintain vehicles.
Related coverage
- Hyundai Motor Group Says Real-World AI Integration Attracts Silicon Valley Engineers
- Hyundai Motor Group’s AI Roadmap: Minwoo Park on Commercializing AI and Autonomous Driving Technology
- Kia Wins Four Awards in Israel's Car of the Year 2026, EV3 Named Overall Winner
- Mercedes-Benz and TYTAN Technologies Sign MoU for Drone Defense Vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz Museum Announces Summer 2026 Events Including Open-Air Cinema and Urban Culture