May 22nd, 2006

PORTLAND, OR - April 26: Alex Stevens and Matt Botts, students at Reynolds High School finished in 11th place out of 37 schools at the 2006 National Automotive Technology Competition. Reynolds finish was the highest by any school in the 11 western states. Sponsored by the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association, the students' participation in the auto industry's largest school-to-work initiative, pits the nation's best high school automotive vocational education students against one another for the title of 'America's Top Technician'.

The National Finals, held in New York in conjunction with the New York International Automobile Show, are possible thanks to the generous contributions of over 125 industry sponsors including automakers, industry organizations, OEM suppliers, educational institutions, and dealers associations from across the country. This year, prizes and scholarships totaling more than $3.5 million were awarded to the participants. Snap-on, the Competition's Official Tool Supplier, provided tool sets to all competitors and General Motors awarded two Chevy Cobalt cars to the winning team, upon completion of the students' post-secondary education. "In addition to the valuable prizes and scholarships that these students win, the National Automotive Technology Competition is a tremendous opportunity for some of the best students in America to be introduced to various automobile manufacturers, auto dealers, auto industry suppliers, and college recruiters," said Greg Remensperger, Executive Vice President of the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association. "These students represent the future of the industry and will become the single most important link between manufacturer and the consumer."

"Over the past 15 years the National Automotive Technology Competition has established itself as a leader in automotive education, piquing the interest of thousands of students each year. It gives students the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun, competitive, and rewarding environment. With the increasing use of sophisticated technology in cars today as well as an aging work population, it's critical that the automobile industry attracts talented, young minds into this business," Remensperger added. How the Contest Works

The rules of the contest are simple. Each team of students is assigned an automobile that is rigged to malfunction in a number of ways. Using a repair order with actual customer complaints, the student teams must diagnose and repair the problem within the allotted time, using the manufacturer's specialty tools. Each "bug" correctly diagnosed and repaired is worth a number of points, depending on the level of difficulty.

In addition, the students' knowledge of emissions control systems, alignment, electrical test equipment, airbag components, oscilloscope usage and mechanical measurement equipment is tested during a series of intensive work station sessions. To prepare for the competition, students are trained at local new car dealerships and the skills they learn from master technicians prepare them to succeed in the working world.

Currently representing nearly 100 new auto and truck dealers in the Portland metro area, the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association has served the local automobile community since 1914 and is a strong supporter of charitable causes. For more information about the association please visit www.portlandnewcars.com.

The National Automotive Technology Competition was founded by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, held at the New York International Auto Show. It is an industry-wide school-to-work initiative supported by nearly every major automaker, technical institutions, OEM suppliers, automotive parts and supplies companies, individual dealers, and dealers associations across the country.