Filipino Service Champion Conquers Japan

Representing the Philippines, Raymond Rivera of Carworld, Inc. was crowned Champion of the Service Advisor Contest in Japan, besting top service advisors from 15 countries around the world. Global Service Skills Contest (GSSC) is a prestigious competition held by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan where Mitsubishi Motors distributors all over the world bring in representatives to compete. 

Rivera earned the opportunity to compete internationally after emerging as champion at MMPC’s Mitsubishi Skills Olympics in January 2025. His preparation for the global championship officially began in July 2025, backed by months of focused and disciplined training under the guidance of his coach, Allan Veraque Jr. – MMPC’s Non-Technical Training Senior Supervisor.

The Global Service Skills Contest is designed to rigorously assess both technical knowledge and customer-handling skills through two major parts.

The first part focuses on written and thinking skills, including a matching-type examination and an essay task where participants provide customer recommendations and advice based on realistic scenarios. These scenarios take into account customer profiles, preventive maintenance service (PMS) requirements, vehicle condition, and even customer lifestyle—reflecting real-world service situations.

The second part is a roleplay exercise, simulating the full service advisor process from pre-delivery to vehicle delivery. Participants are evaluated on vehicle verification based on PMS requests, cleanliness, and confirmation of replaced parts. During delivery, service advisors are expected to (1) clearly explain the service performed, (2) discuss the repair order and bill of materials, (3) conduct a proper vehicle walkaround, and (4) provide safety reminders, vehicle care tips, next PMS schedules, and follow-up guidance—ending with a professional and warm send-off to the customer.

Throughout the competition, all actions were evaluated with a strong focus on customer care—driving customer satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty through retention, repeat purchases, and strengthened brand value.

MMPC Aftersales Executive Vice President Toko Imai expressed his pride in the achievement, saying, “This win reflects the strength of our people and our commitment to customer-first service. With Raymond’s performance, he showed to the world that when technical excellence is combined with genuine care for the customer, Filipino service professionals can truly excel on the global stage.”

According to Coach Allan Veraque Jr., consistency played a crucial role in Rivera’s success. “Preparation is really about showing up every day. Regardless of energy or mood, you still show up—that’s what makes the difference. And Raymond did exactly that. By consistently showing up to training for months, he was able to internalize all the lessons,” he shared.