America's Top Teen Auto Techs Rev Up to Capture the 2007 National Title June 26

100 High School Students Will Compete for $6 Million in Scholarships and Prizes

DEARBORN, Mich., June 7 -- The following was released today regarding the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals:

  WHAT:       The Annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals
              Fifty state champion teams representing their high school
              automotive technology programs will face off for the coveted
              title of best student auto tech team in the nation, plus
              scholarships and prizes in this "Indy 500 of auto repair."

  WHEN:       Tuesday, June 26, 2007
              9:15 AM to 10:45 AM EDT -- Hands-On Repair competition
              100 students in colorful red and black "pit crew" uniforms
              race against the clock and every other two-person team to
              diagnose and repair identically "bugged" Ford Fusions in a
              quest to achieve the perfectly repaired car.

              Excellent video and photo opportunities.  Media are welcome to
              interview the students, their instructors, contest officials,
              and judges.  Interview opportunities will be available Monday,
              June 25, by request and on Tuesday, June 26, before and after
              the competition.

              
  WHERE:      Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan
              One American Road (Michigan Avenue & Southfield Freeway) --
              Front Lawn

              Parking and refreshments on site.  Check-in at Media Tent.

  WHY:        As vehicles become more advanced, Ford and AAA have partnered
              to assure that the new generation of automotive technicians is
              well-educated to service the public's motoring needs.  The
              Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the auto industry will
              have an average of 34,000 job openings per year through 2014,
              based on growth and net replacement needs.  The competition's
              goal is to encourage students to continue their education and
              to pursue careers in the automotive service industry.

  HOW:        Each team won a berth in the finals with the combined best
              scores on comprehensive qualifying exams and hands-on
              competition in their states.  They will repeat the process in
              Dearborn to secure the national title.  The Ford/AAA Student
              Auto Skills Competition is open to high school juniors and
              seniors enrolled in automotive technology courses.