DULUTH, Ga. -

Asbury Automotive Group has revealed its most recent plan to cull the shortage of automotive technicians at the company. The auto group says it plans to hire between 200 and 400 technicians over the next year or two.           

The dealership group says it has opportunities to expand its quick service offerings as well as its traditional service offerings across all of its stores and collision centers.

In order to obtain the technicians, Asbury plans on utilizing its working partnerships with local technical schools, community colleges, its vehicle manufacturing partners and its own Asbury Technical Institute, which completed its first graduating class in September. ATI is an internal program that trains eligible technician candidates, including current employees, with classroom and hands-on training.

Asbury says it anticipates a mid-single digit growth rate percentage for its parts and service gross profit for the rest of the current year.