Delaware Valley Schools Gear up for 13th Annual CARing for Kids Foundation's Automotive Technology Competition

-- Premier competition offers priceless opportunity and awards --

EAST NORRITON, Pa., March 1 -- The Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP) today announced it will host its 13th Annual CARing for Kids Foundation Automotive Technology Competition at the ADAGP headquarters on Friday, March 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Twenty- four Delaware Valley students will compete to win approximately $1 million in scholarships and prizes by performing a Pre-Delivery Inspection on a previously bugged, new vehicle as well as solving other problems at eight workstations.

"For these students, this is their district championship," stated Drew Fitchett, owner of North Penn Imports. "They don't get the pep rallies, the cool sports uniforms, or recognition. This is their time to shine and showcase their skills before 'scouts' from the dealerships as well as vie for an astonishing amount of monetary support from post-secondary technical schools in our area and around the country. Many of these kids would not have the opportunity to attend these schools without these scholarships."

Each contestant will receive a 25% scholarship to the Automotive Training Center (ATC) and Lincoln Tech, as well as tools and other prizes donated by the 52 companies supporting the event. Last year's first place team shared $275,000 in prizes. The winning team will also be automatically entered to compete at the National Automotive Technology Competition at the New York Auto Show in April.

The Technology Competition has become the premier competition for high school seniors in the Delaware Valley. In November of 2005, 110 students from 20 vocational/technical programs took a written exam covering the eight National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) areas of auto technology to qualify, but only 24 finalists were selected to roll up their sleeves in the hands-on finale. Each year the Technology Competition continues to grow with increased student participation, and this year's competition is no exception. For the first time ever, two high schools from the School District of Philadelphia will participate in the contest.

"This competition is vital to our region because it directly affects us all," said Kevin Mazzucola, Executive Director of the Dealers Association. "The 240 dealers in our area service 3.6 million vehicles a year. It is essential that we foster these bright young men and women to advance their careers in this technician field. We need them, the manufacturers need them, and most importantly and ultimately, the consumers need them. Last year, Automotive Technicians influenced almost $4 billion in car sales. As vehicles continue to increase in technical devices and parts, consumers depend more and more upon the advice and knowledge of their technicians."

About the Automotive Technology Competition

Created in 1994 by the ADAGP, and currently presented by the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, the event strives to increase awareness about the important role that technicians play in the auto industry and to promote auto technology as a career choice. This year's event will take place on Friday, March 3, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the ADAGP offices in East Norriton, Pa. The snow date for the Automotive Technology Competition is the following Friday, March 10, 2006. For more information (or to make a contribution?) visit http://www.caringforkids.com/ or contact Mary Lynn Alvarino via e-mail mla@adagp.com or phone at 610-279-5229.

About the ADAGP

The ADAGP, established in 1904, is the oldest association of its kind in the nation. The association, comprised of 220 franchised new car and truck dealers throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, leads lobbying efforts, provides education and training seminars, conducts a Sales Training Academy to recruit new individuals into the retail automotive industry, and owns and produces the Philadelphia International Auto Show.

The Philadelphia International Auto Show influences 48 percent of all new car registrations in the market. In 2005, 89 percent of attendees reported that visiting the Auto Show influenced their decision regarding their next vehicle purchase.

The ADAGP's 220 dealer members sold 208,100 units in 2004, generating $10.4 billion in sales. Approximately 17,560 jobs are held in Delaware Valley dealerships, with average earnings for area residents attributable to dealership operations totaling $1.23 billion. Individual dealership contributions to charitable causes total $6.9 million. For more information on the ADAGP, visit http://www.adagp.com/.

About the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation

One dollar for every attendee to the Philadelphia International Auto Show has been pledged to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia through the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. To date, the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP) has contributed over $2.5 million to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2004, The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation renewed their support of the Hospital with a $2 million, six-year pledge to support the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Patient Welcome Center in the Richard D. Wood Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center and other Hospital programs including Duct Busters, Trisomy 21 Center for Down Syndrome, Partners in Pediatric Palliative Care and the Center for Injury Research Prevention. Upon completion of this pledge, total giving will near $4.5 million. The Foundation also supports other programs benefiting the lives and welfare of children in the Delaware Valley including the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, Bethanna, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Drueding Center/Project Rainbow, EconomicsPennsylvania's "Strive to Drive" program, Gilda's Club and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Protege program. For more information, visit http://www.caringforkids.com/.