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Audi Tech of the year

Audi Technician of the Year 2020

Doane Hattingh of Ebbett Audi, Hamilton was recently crowned 2020 Audi Technician of the Year in the Audi Excellence Awards. Find out more about Doane's story, passion for the brand and what it means to him to be awarded the title.

  • How long have you been a Technician?

    I started my apprenticeship in February 2006 and qualified as a technician in 2009 with Audi back in South-Africa. That is just over 15 years in total working as a Technician. Throughout my career I have worked with other brands for a short period of time but my heart always belonged to Audi.

  • Why did you want to be a Technician?

    As a young boy I always liked fast and sporty cars. The idea of working on them is what encouraged me to become a Technician.

  • What do you like about it ? Has it been what you expected?

    No two days are the same. You learn something every day. Working as a technician can some times be challenging due to the constantly evolving technology and competitiveness in the automotive industry. No it has not always been what I expected it to be, technology advancement has led to us as technicians not always having to rebuild engines or gearboxes, but to simply replace it.

  • How difficult is it to be a technician working on such technologically advanced cars. How intense is the training?

    Its challenging especially now with more and more electric vehicles entering the market. Its how you adapt to the changes that matters most. Training is not too intense. It also helps that our trainer is extremely knowledgeable. The training that we receive from Audi is of the highest quality, not just in form of personal training but also online.

  • What does it mean to you winning Audi Technician of the year?

    It has been a bit of a build up through my career as I have won dealer awards for apprentice of the year in 2006,2007 and 2008 and won the national award for apprentice of the year in 2009 in my home country. For me winning Audi Technician of the year is really the high light of my career. Its proven to me that the hard work and dedication does pay off and its something that I have worked towards my entire career.

  • How has life as a technician changed for you over your career?

    The Diagnostic software and workshop manuals that has changed over the years has played a big role in aiding diagnoses and carrying out fault finding on vehicles. We are living in a time of autonomous vehicles and vehicles fitted with electric drive motors in stead of fuel guzzling V8 and V10 engines, yet they still out perform the combustion engines and have the power output to send shivers up your spine every time you hit the accelerator peddle.

 

What does it mean to you winning Audi Technician of the year?

It has been a bit of a build up through my career as I have won dealer awards for apprentice of the year in 2006,2007 and 2008 and won the national award for apprentice of the year in 2009 in my home country. For me winning Audi Technician of the year is really the high light of my career. Its proven to me that the hard work and dedication does pay off and its something that I have worked towards my entire career.

For any press enquiries please contact:

Audi Communications
Mark McCartney
Spokesperson – Marketing
Phone: +64 21 337 986
E-mail: mmccartney@audi.co.nz