Universal Technical Institute Announces the Discontinuation of the Audi and Volkswagen Training Programs

PHOENIX - October 3, 2009: Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a provider of automotive technician training, announced today that effective Dec. 18, 2009, Audi of America, Inc. and Volkswagen of America, Inc. have discontinued the Audi Academy Technician Recruitment Program (AATRP) and the Volkswagen Academy Technician Recruitment Program (VATRP) with UTI with the intention to bring their entry level technician training in-house.

As a result of the economic impact to the automotive industry, over the past several years the AATRP and the VATRP locations and classes were consolidated. UTI will close the AATRP training centers within the Avondale, Ariz. and Exton, Penn. campuses and the VATRP training centers within the Exton and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. campuses after the completion of the last class on Oct. 16, 2009. The AATRP and VATRP programs accounted for less than 1% of UTI's total revenue.

"We are proud of our contributions to the Audi and Volkswagen technician training efforts during our ten-year relationship," said Kimberly McWaters, president and chief executive officer at UTI. "As Audi and Volkswagen work to bring the operation of the Academies in-house, we look forward to new opportunities to assist them in the future. We will continue to provide employment assistance for graduates within these respective brands."

"Students continue to have numerous manufacturer specific training options available to them through both graduate-level and elective courses at UTI. We will remain flexible and continue to adapt to the changing needs of our original equipment manufacturers, their dealers and other employers. Meanwhile, there are many employment opportunities for our students in the transportation industry across multiple segments in the market," said McWaters.

About Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute is the leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians as measured by total average undergraduate enrollment. The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer specific training programs that are sponsored by the manufacturer or dealer at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute offers specialized technical education programs through several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI).