IVECO has expanded its Master Technician Tournament to include New Zealand, putting dealer technicians’ diagnostic and repair skills under pressure as the manufacturer trials its battery electric eDaily with Australian fleets.
More than 100 technicians from across IVECO’s Australian and New Zealand dealer network entered the 2026 competition. Nine finalists progressed to practical testing at the company’s Customer Innovation Centre in Melbourne.
For fleet managers considering electric commercial vehicles, the event highlights a relevant procurement question: how well equipped is the service network to support increasingly complex vehicles?
Diagnostics under pressure
The competition began with three rounds of online questionnaires covering servicing, maintenance and fault diagnosis across the IVECO range.
Seven Australian and two New Zealand technicians then competed in seven timed practical tasks involving Daily, Eurocargo and S-Way models.
The challenges covered programming and CAN-Bus system diagnostics using multimeters, PicoScope equipment and IVECO’s diagnostic tool. Finalists also completed a remote diagnosis role play using the manufacturer’s Remote Assistance Service.
Judges assessed the accuracy and speed of fault diagnosis and rectification, alongside each technician’s methodology, discipline and professionalism.
While the tournament was not described as an EV-specific competition, its focus on electronic diagnostics and remote assistance is relevant to fleets assessing workshop capability as vehicle technology evolves.
Trans-Tasman talent recognised
Matthew Radke, Workshop Foreman at Black Truck Sales in Toowoomba, won the tournament.
Adtrans Truck Centre Senior Technician James Bambery finished second, with Jarrod Hodgetts, an Electrician at NZ Trucks in Christchurch, taking third place.
The three received cash prizes and trophies at an awards dinner.
IVECO Manager, Customer and Product Support, Jason Mobberley, said the expanded competition encouraged professional development across the dealer network.
“The tournament provided technicians with an opportunity to test their skills against their peers, which ultimately leads to greater knowledge sharing and professional development across our dealer network,” he said.
“The learnings gained from the competition are then taken back to dealerships, benefiting IVECO customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
Service support belongs in the EV decision
IVECO says it is currently trialling battery electric eDaily models with prominent Australian fleets.
For fleet managers evaluating these vehicles, service support deserves attention alongside operational suitability, charging requirements and whole-of-life costs.
The tournament provides an example of IVECO’s investment in technician development. However, fleets should also establish what EV-specific training, diagnostic equipment and repair capability are available at the dealerships that will support their vehicles.
Questions about fault escalation, remote assistance and access to qualified technicians can help fleet managers assess how a supplier will respond when a vehicle needs attention.
As electric commercial vehicle trials progress, the capability of the people behind the workshop doors will be an important part of the fleet ownership experience.
