Volkswagen Group of America to Host "Lamborghini Day" at The Excel Institute on Jan. 25

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Automobili Lamborghini America today announced that it will host "Lamborghini Day" at The Excel Institute on Jan. 25th to give automotive students hands-on training about the super-car line of vehicles. The Italian manufacturer of hi-end luxury sports cars Automobili Lamborghini SpA, based in Sant'Agata Bolognese, is part of the family of brands owned by the Volkswagen Group. During the event, Lamborghini will have the 12-cylinder Aventador LP 700-4 and a Gallardo Spyder LP 560-4 on display while they give students an overview of the vehicles with an opportunity for the students to ask questions. Students will also be able to inspect the vehicles' engines, interiors and exteriors.

The Excel Institute, which provides scholarships for vocational training in the field of automotive technology for at-risk youth and adults, is one of Volkswagen Group of America's (VWGoA) community partners. The partnership supports Excel's most significant expenses related to life and employability skills such as computer literacy and one-on-one academic tutoring. Volkswagen and Audi technicians also train the Excel Institute teachers about new technologies, maintenance, and repair (Train the Trainer). VWGoA and The Excel Institute are developing reciprocal shadowing and hosted seminar opportunities for employees and students to visit job sites. To date, this support has enabled more than 250 students to participate in The Excel Institute's Life Skills program.

"Lamborghini is pleased to be able to host Lamborghini Day at Excel Institute, which is one of our esteemed community partners," said Wolfgang Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer Automobili Lamborghini America, LLC.  "These students represent the workforce of tomorrow, and we're excited to be able to give them an opportunity to learn about this elite auto brand in a manner that is hands-on, up close and personal.  This event is another way for us to demonstrate our continued commitment to the communities that we serve."

"Our students could not be more excited to see and touch vehicles of this caliber," said Cheryl Edwards, Excel's Chief Executive Officer.  "We are training our men and women to work with the most up-to-date technology, and are honored to have Lamborghini on site sharing their knowledge and information. It's possible that one day in the near future some of our students will be working on vehicles like the ones at the event."

About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's third-largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., and houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va., Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes. The company has more than 4,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through a 940-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.

About the Excel Institute
The Excel Institute opened in 1998 to address the employment needs of unemployed individuals, youth and adults in at-risk situations, and employers in the automotive industry in the Washington, D.C. area.  The post-secondary vocational education institution specializes in automotive technology, with a unique purpose of serving individuals who have "fallen through the cracks" in the system.  Excel's programs, which are certified by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF), trains students for high demand, high-paying careers in the automotive service industry, and also offers High School Equivalency (GED), basic literacy training, life management, and job placement skills as part of a comprehensive, one-year workforce development program.  

SOURCE Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.