Andrew Trostel Scores Big in DTNA Tech Competition

Peach State Truck Centers is proud to announce that Andrew Trostel, a service technician at Birmingham Freightliner and Western Star, placed in the top 12 for the 2023 Daimler Trucks of North America (DTNA) Technician Competition. More than 1484 technicians competed for these 12 coveted spots—744 on the Engine side and 740 on the Vehicle side—in the written portion of the competition. Andrew competed in the Vehicle group. The top 12 techs will be heading to the 2023 Hands-On Competition in Detroit, MI in July.

“We are extremely proud of Andrew and his commitment to taking on this challenge,” said Chris Bisanz, General Manager of Birmingham Freightliner and Western Star. “He is representing our team as one of the top techs in the country and we are excited to see his continued success in the competition up in Detroit this July.”

Andrew, who started with Birmingham Freightliner and Western Star in 2021, is following in his father’s footsteps by competing in the DTNA Tech Competition. In 1995, Andrew’s father Don competed in the 60 Series Challenge, a technician competition hosted by Detroit. Don’s team won their region, and he still has the jacket he received as an award. To celebrate his own competition success, Andrew took a photo in his father’s jacket signifying the passing of the torch from one generation of skilled diesel technicians to the next.

“I’m excited to be able to compete in the DTNA Tech Competition the same way my dad did back in the 90s,” said Andrew, who is only 28 years old. “I can’t wait for the hands-on part of the event in July, and I want to do the best that I can. I appreciate all the support from management and my coworkers at Birmingham Freightliner and Western Star who’ve helped me get to this level.”

DTNA’s Technician Skills Competition tests the abilities of technicians from Freightliner and Western Star dealerships and Detroit distributors in the United States and Canada to diagnose and repair a variety of DTNA’s vehicle and engine products. Prizes will be given to all participants in the hands-on event.

Vehicle - 6 Competitors

• 1st - $30,000 USD
• 2nd - $20,000 USD
• 3rd - $10,000 USD
• All other Competitors $5,000 USD

Engine - 6 Competitors

• 1st - $30,000 USD
• 2nd - $20,000 USD
• 3rd - $10,000 USD
• All other Competitors $5,000 USD