Universal Technical Institute Announces the Discontinuation of the Audi and Volkswagen Training Programs

PHOENIX, Oct. 13  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI), a leading provider of automotive technician training, announced today that effective Dec. 18, 2009, Audi of America, Inc. and Volkswagen of America, Inc. have discontinued the Audi Academy Technician Recruitment Program (AATRP) and the Volkswagen Academy Technician Recruitment Program (VATRP) with UTI with the intention to bring their entry level technician training in-house.

As a result of the economic impact to the automotive industry, over the past several years the AATRP and the VATRP locations and classes were consolidated. UTI will close the AATRP training centers within the Avondale, Ariz. and Exton, Penn. campuses and the VATRP training centers within the Exton and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. campuses after the completion of the last class on Oct. 16, 2009. The AATRP and VATRP programs accounted for less than 1% of UTI's total revenue.

"We are proud of our contributions to the Audi and Volkswagen technician training efforts during our ten-year relationship," said Kimberly McWaters, president and chief executive officer at UTI. "As Audi and Volkswagen work to bring the operation of the Academies in-house, we look forward to new opportunities to assist them in the future.  We will continue to provide employment assistance for graduates within these respective brands."

"Students continue to have numerous manufacturer specific training options available to them through both graduate-level and elective courses at UTI.  We will remain flexible and continue to adapt to the changing needs of our original equipment manufacturers, their dealers and other employers.  Meanwhile, there are many employment opportunities for our students in the transportation industry across multiple segments in the market," said McWaters.

About Universal Technical Institute

Universal Technical Institute is the leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians as measured by total average undergraduate enrollment.  The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer specific training programs that are sponsored by the manufacturer or dealer at dedicated training centers.  Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute offers specialized technical education programs through several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI).  We routinely post important information about us on our website at http://www.uti.eduhttp//uti.investorroom.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

All statements other than statements of historical fact could be deemed "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could affect the company's actual results include, among other things, changes to federal and state educational funding, possible failure or inability to obtain regulatory consents and certifications for new or expanding campuses, potential increased competition, changes in demand for the programs offered by the company, increased investment in management and capital resources, the effectiveness of the company's recruiting, advertising and promotional efforts, changes to interest rates, low unemployment, general economic conditions and other risks that are described from time to time in the public filings of the company.  Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the company's financial results or condition may be found in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.  The company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations, any changes in events, conditions or circumstances, or otherwise. 

DATASOURCE: Universal Technical Institute, Inc.



CONTACT:  Jenny Bruso, Investor Relations, [phone],

, or Valerie Monaco, Public Relations, [phone],

, both of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.



Web Site:  http://www.uti.edu/ 

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