Universal Technical Institute, Inc. to Pick Up and Move Shop

Relocation and Expansion of Valley Giant Will Have Impact on New Locale

PHOENIX, Oct. 9 -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a nationwide leader in automotive technical education training, broke ground today on the new 25-acre Phoenix campus located at 107th Avenue and Pierce Street in Avondale.

The new location, an investment of $21 million locally, will increase the existing UTI-Phoenix campus from 190,000 square feet of space at 3121 W. Weldon Avenue into a 275,000-square-foot building. Construction is expected to be completed by summer of 2004, and the campus will be moved in stages to its new home in Avondale. The new campus will accommodate up to 3,000 students and 250 staff members.

"The new campus allows us to answer the demand for professionally-trained technicians for our industry customers," said UTI Chief Executive Officer and President Kimberly J. McWaters. "At the same time, we are excited to join the thriving Avondale community."

The organization received a substantial incentive package from the City of Avondale for the new West Valley campus. UTI's presence is expected to have an economic impact of approximately $1.7 billion over 20 years.

"Avondale is pleased to be home to the new, expanded UTI campus," said Jeff Fairman, economic development director of the City of Avondale. "Not only will UTI have a tremendous economic impact on the area, the learning institution will also lure thousands of new people -- instructors, students and other employees -- who may ultimately call the Southwest Valley home. This is a project of national scope and fits in nicely with Avondale's desire to attract quality jobs and investment. Among other benefits will be the ability to support a daytime population that will attract quality restaurants and other entertainment amenities to this area."

The Avondale campus will offer automotive and diesel technician training. Manufacturer-sponsored advanced training programs at this facility will include Audi of America, BMW of North America, Ford Motor Co. and Volvo of America.

Additionally, UTI recently completed a $3.5 million, 42,000-square-foot expansion at its Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) Phoenix campus located at 2844 West Deer Valley Road. This 102,000-square-foot facility trains service technicians for the motorcycle industry. MMI is the only technical training school supported by the top five motorcycle manufacturers.

UTI will also move into an upgraded corporate headquarters later this month at 20410 N. 19th Avenue at the Deer Valley Office Park in Phoenix.

Corporate Overview

Phoenix-based Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is one of the nation's leading providers of technical education training. Since the first campus opened in 1965, UTI has graduated more than 70,000 professional technicians. UTI has seven campuses nationwide, including Phoenix; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Glendale Heights, Ill. and Houston, with locations in Phoenix and Orlando, Fla. specializing in motorcycle and marine training. UTI also operates the NASCAR Technical Institute, located in Mooresville, N.C.

UTI's automotive and diesel industry customers include: Audi of America; BMW of North America; Ford Motor Co.; International Truck & Engine Corp.; Jaguar Cars; Mercedes-Benz USA LLC; Porsche Cars North America; Volkswagen AG and Volvo Car Corp. Customers of the Motorcycle and Marine Mechanics Institutes (MMI) include: Harley Davidson Motor Co.; American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; American Suzuki Motor Corp.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA and Yamaha Motor Corp.

For more information visit www.uticorp.com.