Global podium spot for Aussie Kia service advisor

JOHN Tarran from Cardiff Kia in Newcastle, New South Wales, has won the bronze medal at the South Korean car-maker’s World Service Advisor Competition in Seoul this week.

After taking out the national title last month, Mr Tarran has become the first Australian to finish on the podium at the international event, which this year brought together 40 of Kia’s top service advisors from across the globe.

Now in its third year, the global championships require competitors to undertake written and practical tests covering all facets of customer service and the Kia brand.

Mr Tarran, who has worked for Cardiff Kia for seven years, won the Australian championships from Carla Smith of Len Patti Kia in Queensland, who demonstrated her outstanding versatility at the multi-franchise dealer after having previously won Mitsubishi’s service advisor of the year title.

Natasha McRoberts from Rockingham Kia in Western Australia finished third.

The national finals were held at Kia Motors Australia’s headquarters in Sydney, with each service advisor representing one of the company’s five service regions.

The other finalists were Marcus Vickers from Stillwell Kia in South Australia and Rebecca Palensky from McRae Kia in Victoria.

The national competition is open to all Kia service advisors. This year’s field was whittled down to 53 competitors for the penultimate round, from which the five service region finalists were then chosen.