Nobilas Expands Body Shop Network In Germany

Frankfurt, Germany – 13 September, 2007 – Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company, is expanding its auto body shop network in Germany from 330 to 400 shops by the end of 2007 to provide better coverage and enhanced customer service. Also by increasing the number of body shops, Nobilas will have a wider choice of facilities. This will enable the company to select the right body shop for each specific repair based not only on its proximity and workload, but more importantly, on its expertise in particular vehicle brands and systems.

“This expansion will further streamline our highly efficient repair process, resulting in faster and higher-quality vehicle repairs for our customers,” said Thomas Geiger, General Manager Nobilas Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “We’ll be able to better pinpoint specialized expertise for any type of system, component or vehicle model to deliver the highest quality product in the shortest period.”

The Nobilas body shop network is audited continuously to ensure that core competencies are identified, such as specialization in certain components. For example, in Germany, Nobilas is targeting body shops that specialize in programming electronic systems, installing programmable Xenon headlamps, working on sensors for temperature, distance and other metrics, and repairing aluminium components such as fenders.

Further, Nobilas develops partner profiles with about 100 data points about each body shop and their equipment. Based on this data, the company can take action on special requests in a short time frame.

In addition to adding independent body shops to its network, Nobilas will run a pilot program with 12 auto dealer body shops in Berlin and Cologne, with plans to place additional body shops in other major German cities by the end of 2007. The focus is on major auto brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford and Opel. The pilot program will help Nobilas assess the benefits of having brand-specific knowledge in the collision repair process.

Geiger added, “With the trend of vehicle differentiation and increasingly shorter intervals between car model introductions, it is becoming more important for our body shop network to be able to repair the latest models according to the most recent specifications of vehicle manufacturers. With this new program, Nobilas is underpinning its high quality and service levels and meeting the requirements of both the vehicle driver and the vehicle manufacturer.”

Two other initiatives planned for Germany are:

- A Mass Damage programme for organizing very large numbers of repairs – such as hail damage – within a short period of time.

- A Glass Network that will enable Nobilas to offer glass repair with an interesting saving potential due to a leaner process and an optimized pricing structure.

Geiger concluded, "Our strategy is to build a differentiated network that can handle both complex vehicle damages as well as general repairs. We are continuously looking to improve and expand our body shop network to meet the needs of our customers."

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Notes for editors

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company operating in Europe and North America, is a business-to-business accident management provider combining leading car repair process management skills with first notification of loss, mobility solutions, assessment service, claims management and fleet identity solutions. Its clients are auto insurers, leasing companies, rental companies and corporate fleet owners.

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Listed on both the Euronext and NASDAQ Stock Exchanges, the company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The Company currently employs some 62,000 people in more than 80 countries.

For more information about Nobilas, please visit: www.nobilas.com