BEDFORD, TEXAS, March 6, 2007 - The Automotive Management Institute (AMI), in conjunction with Automotive Video Inc. (AVI), has announced a new scholarship to help automotive service professionals obtain the management education and technical training essential for success in today's ever-changing industry.

AVI, a leader in automotive diagnostic and repair training programs for automotive repair professionals since 1994, will fund the scholarship using proceeds from its "Casino Night," a fundraising effort held during AVI's Sanibel Annual Training Conference. The success of this year's event will fund three $1,000 scholarships.

The educational scholarship program is aimed at helping to develop quality technicians, managers and shop owners. The scholarship will be applied toward the recipients' expenses to attend the 2007 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-3. CARS is sponsored by ASA and offers an educational lineup of AMI seminars, technical training courses and industry sessions, an exhibitor showcase and the opportunity to network with other automotive service professionals.

"If our industry is to meet the challenges of the future, shop owners, managers, and technicians will all need to acquire and develop their business and management skills while keeping pace with the technical skills required to service and repair today's complex vehicles," said Paul Louwers, AVI president and CEO. "It is a pleasure to work with AMI to provide opportunities for industry professionals to obtain many of these skills while attending CARS."

"The generosity of AVI means many more automotive service professionals will have the opportunity to experience CARS and benefit from the outstanding management and technical education offered during the event," said AMI executive director Toni Slaton, AAM. "We are very pleased to be working with AVI to offer these new scholarship opportunities."

To be eligible for the award, the following requirements must be met: applicants must be a minimum of 21 years of age; must have a minimum of two years work experience in the mechanical repair industry; must demonstrate an interest in self-improvement through education and training; and if the applicant is not the business owner, must be recommended by the business owner. AMI trustees and their employees, and AVI and its employees, are not eligible to apply.

To request a scholarship application, call AMI at (800) 272-7467, ext. 241, or fill out a scholarship application online at www.amionline.org. Applications must be received by AMI on or before Aug. 17, 2007. The scholarship recipient will be notified by AMI on or before Sept. 7, 2007.

AMI was established to answer the demand for continuing education tailored specifically for the business needs of the automotive service industry. The Institute offers the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation, the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI programs have attracted more than 132,000 enrollments throughout North America. AMI is a not-for-profit educational foundation to which tax-deductible contributions can be made. For more information about the Institute, its curriculum, or EXCEL, please contact AMI at (800) 272-7467 ext. 241, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.