DAVID Lang, AA chief engineer, has left the breakdown and recovery operator to take up a new position as director of technical services with the Australian Automobile Association. There are no official links between the two organisations, but they are working increasingly closely on crash testing, new car assessment programmes and in the development of telematics and intelligent transport systems that use harmonised standards.

Lang has spent five years with the AA, where he was responsible for roadside repair rates, patrol training, technical information and liaison with manufacturers, and technical policy such as Euro NCAP. Prior to joining the AA, he spent nine years with Rover.

'It's been a wonderful opportunity to go from from the manufacturing side where you are very proud of your products, to a service organisation where you are representing the consumer,' he said. The AA has not yet selected Lang's successor.