Nissan Announces Partnership With Automotive Youth Educational Systems

GARDENA, Calif.--Nov. 4, 2002--Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced it has become a corporate partner of Automotive Youth Educational Systems, Inc. (AYES). Additionally, Jed Connelly, senior vice president, sales and marketing at NNA, has been elected to the AYES Board of Directors.

Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping retail automotive dealerships develop qualified service technicians. AYES facilitates partnerships between dealerships and local high schools or technical schools that offer high-quality automotive technology programs. Dealerships advise schools on the technical skills required to service today's complex, electronically controlled vehicles, in addition to providing on-the-job training through paid internships. High school graduates that earn an AYES certificate are prepared to be hired as entry-level dealership service technicians or to pursue postsecondary studies in automotive service technology.

"Nissan's commitment to increase sales volume will create a greater need for qualified technicians to maintain and repair the additional units in operation," said Connelly. "AYES will be a strategic partner in our efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of Nissan and Infiniti technicians that will be required to achieve our customer retention targets."

As part of the partnership, NNA will introduce AYES to its body of Nissan and Infiniti dealers and encourage their participation in the AYES initiative to develop and recruit new technicians.

"We are very pleased to have Nissan North America join in sponsorship of our initiative," said Don Gray, AYES President. "This affiliation provides the potential for student internships at more than 1,200 additional dealerships nationwide."