Impetus for I-1 Grand Prix
At the third Asia-Oceania Services Conference, held in Thailand in 2005, the decision was made to hold a skills competition that transcends national borders.
1st Competition
November 15, 2006
Ten countries from Asia and Oceania participated in the first I-1GP, held at Isuzu’s Training Center in Kawasaki on November 15, 2006. Afterwards, the Isuzu distributors and dealers who participated said, “Let’s do this again next year, as a friendly competition”, paving the way for the event’s continuation.
2nd Competition
November 5, 2007
Eleven countries participated from Asia and Oceania. This year saw the first presentation of the Golden Spanner trophy, long loved as a symbol of subsequent I-1GP events.
3rd Competition
November 5, 2008
Thirteen countries participated from Asia and Oceania.
The whole world was faced with a global financial crisis during this period. The chain reaction of difficult circumstances meant that deep budget cuts had to be made, and cancellation of the I-1GP event seemed likely. However, the determination not to abandon this chance to improve service skills, as well as the awareness of the need for a unifying force in such difficult times, saved the I-1 Grand Prix.
The whole world was faced with a global financial crisis during this period. The chain reaction of difficult circumstances meant that deep budget cuts had to be made, and cancellation of the I-1GP event seemed likely. However, the determination not to abandon this chance to improve service skills, as well as the awareness of the need for a unifying force in such difficult times, saved the I-1 Grand Prix.
4th Competition
November 4, 2009
Ten countries from Asia and Oceania participated. This year the TECH2 scan tool was introduced in the event, as more advanced maintenance skills and knowledge were required as vehicles became more sophisticated.
5th Competition
October 27, 2010 – more countries participating
No matter where they are in the world, it is important for Isuzu members to promise customers a satisfactory level of service quality. Isuzu was also focusing on service standardization, and so the number of participating countries from around the world increased. A total of 18 countries from Europe, Mexico and the Middle East participated, in addition to Asia and Oceania.
6th Competition
December 6, 2011
The Great East Japan Earthquake struck with a huge earthquake and tsunami, once again putting the competition in danger of being cancelled.
Thanks to the members of the I-1 Grand-Prix secretariat at that time, who devotedly worked to keep the event going, and thanks also to the participants who responded with like enthusiasm. Until 2010 only about 5 countries had held preliminary competitions, but this time 19 countries, including from the Middle East. With the addition of the Africa region, 20 countries from around the world participated.
7th Competition
November 21, 2012
Participation by 25 countries from around the world. Countries from the North America region participated for the first time.
8th Competition
November 27, 2013, with Categories A and B
This year 28 countries participated. Participation categories were divided into A and B according to the exhaust gas regulation. Subsequently, questions could be more aligned to exhaust gas regulations in each country.
9th Competition
November 20, 2014
With the addition of Central America and the Caribbean, the number of participating countries rose to 31.
10th Competition
November 4, 2015
35 countries from around the world participated. The venue was shifted to Manufacturing Service Training Center (MSTC) in Fujisawa. As the light pickup truck D-MAX was well received worldwide, especially in Thailand, the LCV competition was started with the aim of further improving service skills and knowledge. Eight countries participated in this first LCV competition.
11th Competition
CV Division on December 1, 2016 / LCV Division on November 3, 2016
This year 30 countries participated in the CV division. The Competition of LCV division was held in Bangkok, Thailand with 22 countries participating.
12th Competition
November 1, 2017
27 countries participating in this time. Post-competition support was strengthened by providing detailed correct answer explanations, competition question review, and feedback reports.
13th Competition
CV Division on December 6, 2018 / LCV Division on September 12
32 countries from around the world participated in the CV division with 24 in the LCV division. This year, a new individual competition was added, and countries that held preliminary competitions were rewarded with extra points.
14th Competition
October 30, 2019
This year, 32 countries participated, and technicians were actively encouraged to take the e-learning course in advance. 60 countries held preliminary competitions.
15th Competition
November 25 to 27, 2020 – e-Competition
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the global lockdown, it really seemed impossible to hold the I-1 Grand Prix this year. Instead of the practical competition, new content was developed in the form of the “Virtual Failure Diagnosis Competition”, and the competition was successfully held online. This year 41 countries participated in the CV division, the largest number ever. Also, a “Supporters’ Contest” was initiated so that supporters who were not able to cheer for the contestants in person could participate in the I-1GP.
16th Competition
November 24 to 25, 2021 – e-Competition
A new system was developed that more closely reflects the actual diagnosis and repair process. Moreover, IIF in Dubai, and ILAC in Miami developed their own "Virtual Failure Diagnosis Competition" contents and held an online regional preliminary competition. The competition was held online, with 41 countries participating.
17th Competition
November 2 to 4, 2022 – e-Competition
In 2022, a new competition question, the Virtual/Actual Combined Style Question (COMBO), which evaluates teams of two people by combining an actual vehicle and the e-competition system, was added to the competition questions. Both CV and LCV categories were held online, with a total of 41 countries and 59 teams participating.
18th Competition
November 1, 2023
The first in-person CV Division competition in four years was held at Pacifico Yokohama located near Isuzu’s new Yokohama headquarters. 33 teams participated from countries and regions around the world, having won preliminary competitions. In addition to the team practical competition using an actual vehicle, “Virtual Failure Diagnosis” using a PC has been incorporated into the individual competition.
19th Competition
October 30, 2024
In 2024, 35 teams from countries and regions around the world participated, having won preliminary competitions. The competition took place at Pacifico Yokohama. Following the competition, the ISUZU Technicians Forum was held. Portable translation devices were used, allowing contestants to discuss their experiences, ask questions, learn from each other about the technician’s mindset, and share the ISUZU philosophy.
