Volvo launches second ‘Operator Idol’ fuel-efficiency challenge in China

After the success of the first nationwide contest to find China’s most fuel-efficient excavator operator, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has relaunched the competition with a ceremony this week in Beijing. 

Run in conjunction with the China Construction Machinery Association (CCMA), Operator Idol incorporates an operating competition with training in fuel-efficient operator techniques that optimize driving and promote sustainable development. The contest will reach more than a million operators across China and will raise awareness of the impact that fuel efficient driving can have on the environment, as well as on a company’s profits. Although Volvo CE machines are notable for their low fuel consumption, if China’s excavator operators decreased their fuel consumption by five percent through fuel-efficient driving skills, more than 130 million liters of fuel could be saved each year.

“The Operator Idol program is uniquely designed to help machine operators develop fuel-efficient operating skills and is the first event of its kind in China — not to mention the largest such training in the world,” said Volvo CE president and CEO Pat Olney, commenting on the event. “At Volvo CE, one of our core values is environmental care, and through this contest we demonstrate our commitment to being an economically, environmentally and socially responsible company in China. I wish Operator Idol 2012 the greatest of success.”

Building on past success

Last year’s Operator Idol netted a total of 580,000 online participants and 110,000 online followers. Around 6,000 operators were judged on their fuel-efficient driving skills in 32 city contests across China before advancing through regional competitions to the final contest, where Ren Wanli of Beijing was crowned China’s Volvo CE Operator Idol 2011.

“More than 13,000 people took Volvo Operator training courses last year,” said Volvo CE China president Luo Dong. “We believe this year’s contest will have even greater impact and more significant influence on China’s younger operators, helping them learn how to operate efficiently from the very start — which will contribute to strengthening the industry’s backbone and improving overall machine operations with fuel-efficient driving techniques.” 

This year’s contest will reach more than one million operators across China, and 6,800 operators will have the opportunity to take part in one of the 34 preliminary rounds of competition to be held across 30 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, followed by four regional contests. Twenty-four operators will compete for the top three titles in the Operator Idol final, and the grand prize winner will receive one year’s free use of a Volvo excavator. In addition, this year’s competitors will automatically be enrolled in the ‘Operator Idol Club’, where they can take part in activities to earn points and win prizes. A talent show will also be held in the final contest, allowing operators to show off their skills and compete for a shot at the ‘Popular Star’ prize.

Operator Idol is now open to applicants, who can apply by visiting https://www.volvoce.com.cn/; calling Volvo CE’s national hotline at 4008 525 168; or texting their name to 1065 7500 0011 525 (China Mobile) or 1069 0999 525 (China Unicom or China Telecom).