HUA HIN: It’s always refreshing to see the opposite sex triumph in a male-dominated vocation. It also makes for good media fodder.
So when New Zealander Louise Marriott turned out to be Asia Pacific’s most fuel-efficient driver in the Volvo Trucks Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2015 , Volvo Trucks went to town with it, declaring her as the first woman champion in the contest.
To win the title of the most fuel-efficient driver in the on-road category this year, Marriott clocked 17.5% less fuel compared to the highest amount of fuel burnt at the contest.
In the off-road category, Ravi Poleboina of India clinched the top prize with a notable achievement of 12.5% less fuel consumption relative to fellow contestants.
“While our industry is often thought of as being male dominated, the Fuelwatch Challenge has been a great platform for us to show that all drivers, regardless of gender, can perform at the highest level while being fuel-efficient,” said Marriott, who was one of four women who took part in the annual contest. She was also the first representative from New Zealand to attain the top prize at the Fuelwatch Challenge.
Malaysian participant Nor Rahmat Abd Talib, a driver with logistics company Prifaria Sdn Bhd, was one of the 17 top drivers who took part in the finals. Although he did not bring back the trophy, he was adjudged the winner in Malaysia.
Poleboina emerged the victor in the off-road category.
Volvo Trucks saw the finals in the Volvo Trucks Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2015, held in Hua Hin, Thailand from Sept 15-18.
At the event, participants attended a one-day training session on fuel-efficient driving techniques and technical expertise, followed by the Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge grand finals on the second day.
Keyword: Woman trucker wins 2015 Volvo Fuelwatch contest