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Growing Shortage of Skilled Technicians to Repair High-Tech Cars

1 September 1998

ADVISORY/Trend: Growing Shortage of Skilled Technicians to Repair Today's High-Tech Cars; National Summit Tackles Three Critical Problems: Skills, Image, Customer Satisfaction

    --(AutomotiveWire)--

WHAT:  As the number of automobiles on U.S. roads continues to climb 
       by an average of 2 million a year, the number of professionals 
       qualified to repair these increasingly technologically advanced 
       vehicles is dropping by 5 percent annually. Professionals from 
       auto manufacturing, parts and repair, as well as 
       representatives from other affected fields, will gather to 
       discuss this disturbing trend and its effects on consumers, and 
       to develop an action agenda for solutions.

WHEN:  Sept. 2-4
       Media Briefing: Thursday, Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m.-noon

WHO:   National opinion leaders from the following industries:
       -- Automotive Manufacturing -- domestic and foreign 
          (e.g. Toyota, GM)
       -- Automotive Repair (e.g. Sears Automotive, Midas)
       -- Automotive Parts (e.g. NAPA, Pep Boys)
       -- Government
       -- Education/Training
       -- Consumer Advocacy
       -- Insurance

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Alicante
       100 Plaza Alicante
       Garden Grove, Calif. 92840
       714/750-1234

B-ROLL: Electronic media kit with footage from event sessions and
        an automotive training class, along with broadcast-quality 
        graphics and interviews, available on satellite feed:
                 Date:  Friday, Sept. 4
                 Time:  2-2:15 p.m. Pacific
                 Satellite:  Ku SBS6 / transponder 5 full
                 Downlink frequency:  11823 horizontal
                 Audio:  6.2 & 6.8