Bedford, Texas, February 28, 2008 — The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is accepting applications for the $1,000 Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship. AMI’s resource development effort, EXCEL, in conjunction with Zurich, formerly Universal Underwriters Group, established the scholarship, which is awarded to an Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division member who strives to be, or is presently working in a management capacity.

Zurich introduced the scholarship program specifically to address the educational needs of the automotive aftermarket. A leader in the automotive insurance industry, Zurich provides a range of customized products for the automotive aftermarket.

The scholarship will be applied toward the recipient’s expenses to attend the 2008 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-8. CARS is sponsored by ASA and offers an educational lineup of AMI seminars, technical training courses and industry sessions, a trade show and the opportunity to network with other automotive service professionals.

To be eligible for the award, the following requirements must be met: applicants must work in the mechanical repair industry; must demonstrate an interest in self-improvement through education and training; must own or work for a business that is an ASA member in good standing; and, if the applicant is not the business owner, must be recommended by the owner. AMI Trustees and their employees, and Zurich and its employees, are not eligible to apply.

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 163,000 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.