Meet Chuah Teong Lieh, Technician at Sime Darby Auto Bavaria, Ara Damansara. Teong Lieh is one of Sime Darby Motors’ top technicians, recognised by BMW as Best Technician at the BMW Group Malaysia Dealer Awards Night 2020 under the Technical category. He was also awarded Best Technician and Technician of the Month at Sime Darby Motors’ Technician Competition.
Everyone stands a chance to be the best technician if they work hard.
Can you share a bit about what you do and what a typical day for you is like?
I work in the Major Service Bay and mainly focus on engine repair, chassis, and suspension diagnosis and repair.
There are days when the traffic in Auto Bavaria’s Major Service Bay is low, and there are days when the traffic is high, but it is still manageable. In a day, I will manage 1 to 2 cars for major services such as engine replacement or engine servicing.
What’s the best part about your job?
The management and my team. My supervisor has helped a lot throughout my 5-year journey in guiding me, and members of my team always support one another. A few people might not get along, but it has never affected our job as a whole team.
What would you say was the biggest challenge in your career?
The biggest challenge I am currently facing is the new automotive trend that is moving towards electric vehicles (EV). It is less mechanical and more electrical; the theory is different. However, management has sent us to EV training which to me is so helpful.
Other than that, the first year working in Sime Darby was quite challenging for me. I worked at another workshop which was smaller, which consisted of only 10 technicians. The team I work with today is much bigger here. The work surroundings and environment are different, with both pros and cons.
What would you say are your biggest accomplishments in your career?
My biggest accomplishment is being awarded the Best Technician for April 2021 and June 2021. In my opinion, everyone stands a chance to be the best technician if they work hard because, in Sime Darby Auto Bavaria, everything is possible as long as you do your best, it is fair competition here.
What do you think about the working culture in Sime Darby?
I would say that the working culture is healthy. I have a balanced lifestyle. In Sime Darby Auto Bavaria, we hold events among ourselves and after working hours, we will play badminton together, which helps to release our stress and creates a stronger bond between us.