Huntington Beach Tow Operator Named AAA ``Highway Hero''; Mandic Motors Honored as Only One of Five in Nation

    HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.--April 7, 2003--Mandic Motors, an Automobile Club of Southern California affiliated towing contractor, has been chosen as one of five "Highway Heroes" for 2003 by the AAA, the nation's largest organization for motorists.
    The presentation was made today at the annual Professional Wreckers of Florida show in Kissimmee, Fla. Other "Highway Heroes" are 40 West Auto Care of Frederick, Md., B&B Towing, Ontario, Canada, George and Sons Car Care Center of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Personal Auto Care Service Center of Middleton, Conn.
    Mandic Motors first began providing road service in 1939 as an official Huntington Beach Police Tow Service. The company has been an official Auto Club contractor since 1972.
    Since 1997, Mandic has been an AAA Preferred Service Provider. Mandic's team of towing professionals responded to more than 27,000 emergency service calls in 2002.
    For the past 30 years, Bob and Connie Mandic, president and vice president of Mandic Motors, have supported many local organizations and causes with financial and volunteer services. They have helped the Huntington Beach Police Department, City of Huntington Beach, youth soccer, high school sports and the Orange County Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among others.
    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services and automotive pricing, buying and financing programs.
    Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.