Press Release - Hyundai Motor Company, Komoco Motors and ITE Singapore lay pipeline for future EV technicians with MOU

• Industry first MOU between manufacturer, distributor and educator 

• 5-year scholarship and exchange for ITE students and lecturers  

• New EV service facility for students to gain hands-on knowledge and real-life commercial experience

Singapore - September 20, 2022.  

Strategic partnership to train an EV workforce

As Singapore's transition to Electric Vehicles (EV) gathers pace, it is essential to create a pool of qualified technicians ready to keep the next generation of automobiles roadworthy.

And laying the foundation stones of that pathway are Hyundai Motor Company, Komoco Motors and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to train a new breed of EV specialists for the next five years.

The MOU was signed on September 20, 2022, at Komoco’s new EV Service Centre located at their main Alexandra Road facility, between Sung Nam Kim, Vice President, Head of Global Channel & Service Sub-Division of Hyundai Motor Company; Mr Teo Hock Seng, Executive Chairman of Komoco Motors; and Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer of ITE.

This is the first tripartite MOU between a manufacturer, automotive distributor and education institute in Singapore. To further underline Komoco's commitment to the electric revolution, the homegrown distributor has been selected by Hyundai Motor to build the first dedicated EV Service Centre in the world for the Korean brand.

As agreed between the parties, up to 10 ITE students annually will be granted internships at Hyundai Motor and Komoco Motors to acquire the latest knowledge in Hyundai Motor's sustainable mobility and advanced automotive technologies.

Up to 3 scholarships and 5 book prizes for outstanding students may also be given out annually.  In addition, ITE lecturers from the automotive department will be attached to Hyundai Motor and Komoco for learning opportunities.

“There has been a robust growth of the EV industry in Singapore as regulations, technology and consumer behaviour continue to accelerate toward green mobility. This tripartite partnership would enable us to refresh and enhance our automotive training capabilities, and contribute to the workforce by supplying a steady stream of trained technicians equipped with the knowledge and skillsets to take on EV repair and maintenance jobs”, said Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE. 

“Our idea of future mobility is based on the strong commitment that we give to society and Hyundai Motor Company will play a pivotal role in global society’s transition to clean energy,” said Sung Nam Kim of Hyundai Motor. “And to prepare such future, many efforts between industries & countries are required. Starting with MOU between Hyundai Motor, ITE and Komoco, we believe foundation for organic cooperation will be established and we all together will build a better future.”

Servicing an EV requires a separate skillset and specialised tools available to an official distributor. With this in mind, the partnership between Hyundai Motor, Komoco and ITE will also see all parties explore the development of an elective module for ITE full-time students and short courses for adult learners under the institute's Continuing Education and Training (CET) framework to help create a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

New Customer Experience for EV Journey

With the nation gearing up to implement all new car registrations to be of cleaner-energy models by 2030 under the Singapore Green Plan, Hyundai Motor and Komoco are committed to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals.

To further complete the pieces in the EV eco-system, Komoco is the first Hyundai Motor distributor in the world to build and operate its own EV Service Centre at 253 Alexandra Road.

Spanning 800sqm with work bays for up to 8 EVs, the EV Service Centre sports a futuristic "clean lab" look.  Through full-length windows, clients can see EV Specialists at work while screens above each car will display diagnostic information.  An EV Specialist will be dedicated to each client to make each service an engaging experience.

“Hyundai Motor Company will establish a Hyundai Motor Global Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICs) to accelerate innovation efforts.  In addition, we opened our first EV service centre in Singapore with Komoco to provide advanced experiences to our EV customers. Through this, we are hoping to enhance our customer experience and explore new future mobility business concepts for eventual expansion to global market.

Mr Teo Hock Seng, Executive Chairman of Komoco Motors, added: "It is a sign of Hyundai's deep trust and longstanding partnership that Komoco has been entrusted with building this EV Service Centre.

"This Centre will demonstrate how viable this new technology is.  It will show our customers that we are here for them.  EV ownership is not just about making a purchase decision, it is about the brand and distributor walking alongside our clients to embrace and trust this new technology. 

This is tomorrow's standard in the automotive world but Hyundai and Komoco are already ready today."