ACE.L Regulatory News (ACE)

8 Jun 2006 07:01

Accident Exchange Group PLC08 June 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8th June 2006 Accident Exchange Group Plc AUDI UK ADOPTS ACCIDENT EXCHANGE Manufacturer to roll out Accident Aftercare service Accident Exchange Group Plc ("Accident Exchange" or "The Group") is pleased toannounce that Audi UK has informed its dealer network of its intention to launcha national Accident Aftercare Solution in conjunction with The Group. AccidentExchange will support the brand's franchised Audi network as the recommendedsolutions provider for Accident Aftercare. Through the "Audi Accident Aftercare" initiative, The Group will deliver a suiteof services designed to allow the 133 Audi Centres to capitalise on the customersupport and revenue opportunities that a focused accident management solutioncan deliver. In the UK, new Audi car sales in 2005 were approximately 84,400 andthere are in excess of an estimated 436,000 Audi cars which are less than sixyears old in use in the UK. The manufacturer driven programme operated by Accident Exchange will includebranded marketing material, Centre staff training and support and will allowdealer personnel to access the Accident Exchange website which includes realtime claim and management information. Approximately 50% of the Audi dealernetwork are already utilising the services of Accident Exchange. All Audi customers, whether connected through new vehicles, used vehicles orafter-sales, will receive free membership to Audi Accident Aftercare, providingassistance with everything from recovery of damaged vehicles to mobilityarrangements and insurance claim management. The clear aim is to help Audi to provide an accident management service to agreater share of the 17 per cent. of Audi customers who will be involved in anaccident over the next twelve months. Accident Exchange Chief Executive, SteveEvans explains: "Audi Accident Aftercare will provide a seamless,customer-focused programme, providing Audi Centres with both incremental sales(parts, labour and new vehicles) and increased profit though the receipt ofreferral commission from Accident Exchange." Dominic Elms, Audi UK Head of Aftersales, welcomes the initiative: "An AudiCentre which is structured to react quickly, communicate efficiently and providevaluable support to a customer involved in an accident, will not only berewarded with loyalty, but also potential incremental business." ENDS Contacts: Accident Exchange Group PlcSteve Evans, Chief Executive 08700-116 719Martin Andrews, Group Finance Director 08700-053 649 BanksideSteve Liebmann or Simon Bloomfield 020-7367-8888 About Accident Exchange Based in Coleshill, West Midlands, Accident Exchange delivers accident management and other solutions to automotive and insurance related sectors. Quoted on AIM, the stock code is LSE: ACE. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange