AAA Extends Savings Program to China; Largest U.S. Auto Club Partners with Leading Shanghai-area Motor Club.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The world's largest motor club will extend its reach to the world's fastest growing auto market through a new agreement announced today by AAA and China's Anji Motor Club.

The agreement licenses AAA's Show Your Card & Save(R), a discount purchasing program for AAA members, for use in China with a network of merchants now being developed by the Shanghai-area Anji Motor Club. The deal also immediately extends AAA's member savings to members of the Anji Motor Club.

"Extending our member savings program into China will provide our members with valuable discounts as China becomes an increasingly popular destination for American travelers," said Mark Brown, AAA Executive Vice President of Association and Club Services. "We expect travel to China to continue through the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, and beyond, so it only makes sense that AAA is there to extend our members' purchasing power worldwide.

"At the same time, AAA is helping Anji grow to serve China's rapidly expanding population of vehicle owners. With AAA's more than 100 years of experience serving its now more than 47 million members, we can accelerate Anji's learning curve as it meets the needs of the Chinese motorist," said Brown.

With sales estimated at 2.3 million vehicles in 2004, China is the world's fourth-largest car market, trailing only the United States, Germany and Japan. Anji Motor Club is part of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), one of China's largest auto manufacturers. SAIC operations include manufacturing vehicles for General Motors and Volkswagen, with plans to develop and build its own cars by 2007.

"Joining AAA's savings program connects our members to discounts worldwide, while supporting efforts to make China more accessible to international visitors," said Mr. Hu Shunhua, Chairman of Anji Motor Club. "It's a significant benefit for current and future members as we establish the premier motor club to support Chinese drivers."

With the addition of China to Show Your Card & Save(R), AAA members will be able to save at merchants on every continent except Antarctica (34 countries in all) through reciprocal agreements with other motor clubs and travel organizations. The arrangement extends AAA's reach in Asia, following recent agreements with the Japan Automobile Federation and the Korean Automobile Association in South Korea.

"Launching AAA Show Your Card & Save in Shanghai gives the program a firm foundation in a growing tourist destination and major economic market," said Brown. "Worldwide expansion and increased savings by AAA members clearly illustrate the value of AAA Show Your Card & Save - both in the U.S. and around the world."

AAA members saved an estimated $500 million on goods and services ranging from hotel rooms, rental cars and dining to watches, eyeglasses and footwear through the Show Your Card & Save program in 2004. The program began in 1993 to save members money on travel, automotive, retail and other purchases and continues to grow. Savings grew over 10 percent in 2004 as transactions grew to more than 19 million. Conceived as a way to offer special values to AAA members when traveling, SYC&S now offers more than 100,000 merchant locations in the United States. Member discounts is the third most popular reason for membership renewal, according to AAA research.

"Many members find they can easily save more than the cost of their membership through discounts on items they buy all year long," said Brown.

Members can find participating merchants through their local club or www.aaa.com. In addition to 89 merchants who participate nationwide, AAA partners with more than 4,000 local and regional merchants.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its more than 47 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.