KANSAS
Merle Kelly Ford in Chanute received the 2007 President's Award. The award is based on customer feedback and is presented to only 340 out of nearly 5,000 dealerships.
Phil Nightingale is the new director of fixed operations at Mel Hambelton Ford in Wichita. Nightingale has 26 years of experience in the automotive business and was previously with Hambelton Lagreca dealership in Hutchinson.
Shawnee Mission Ford was awarded the Ford Motor Co. 2007 President's Award. The award is given annually to dealers who provide their customers with first-rate treatment throughout the life of their Ford vehicle.
Moser's Garage and Auto Supply in Tribune celebrated 50 years in business on July 31. Owners Marvin and wife Bertie Moser started the business in 1958.
For the 10th time, Lewis Toyota in Hays received the Toyota Motor Sales President's Award. Qualifying dealers must excel in delivering great products and providing excellent customer care in all areas of dealership operations.
Ten cars were set on fire at Legend Suzuki in Kansas City in August. Investigations indicate that the arson fires caused more than $250,000 in damage. The fires came one week after Legend Suzuki had a lawsuit filed against it for deceptive business practices for a controversial advertising promotion.
Eric Price of Kansas City was one of three individuals to be awarded the NAPA Trick Truck award. Price was presented his award at the seventh Midwestern Nationals in Kansas City for his 1972 Chevy truck. Price said he started rebuilding the truck seven years ago and finished two days before the show. The project started out as two rusted-out trucks, an engine that registered 200,000 miles, and a blown transmission. The end result features an Electra blue paint job with a pearl coat, a 355 Cl engine and 35-inch tires.
The Midwest Parts Group recently added John North Nissan of Emporia to its parts delivery team. The group delivers parts throughout Eastern Kansas, Northwest Missouri, Southeast Nebraska, and the Kansas City area.
IOWA
Larry Smith has been hired as a district manager for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America. With more than 30 years in the commercial truck business, including experience with Detroit Diesel Corp. and medium-duty truck dealership management, Smith is responsible for calling on dealers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Automotive Specialists, a repair shop in Storm Lake, closed its doors on July 31. Owner Brian Nelson said he is closing the business to pursue interests outside the automotive field.
Joe and Robyn Swisher, owners of Estherville's NAPA Auto Parts, are remodeling their building along with adding new products, two new delivery vehicles, and expanding their sales and delivery routes into communities surrounding Estherville.
MISSOURI
In memoriam: Leo Long, who founded Long Motor Co. in 1981, died on Aug. 19. Long Motor creates more than 30 illustrated, full line, parts and accessories catalogs for several makes and models. "I have turned my dreams into an entrepreneurial success," Long recently said. "I am only as strong as my people and as successful as my customers' continued satisfaction. I am extremely proud of what has been created and accept that growth is elemental to the future of LMC."
Tri-State Ford Lincoln Mercury recently opened in Maryville. Owner Todd Hill from St. Joseph said it was the right opportunity in a community that's really progressive. The new- and used-car dealership took the place of a dealership that had been closed for over a year.
Mike Steinbrecher, technical consultant for NAPA Auto Parts, led an Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) training class on tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and nitrogen systems. The training, at Cascone's Italian Restaurant in Kansas City, brought in 60 shop owners and technicians.
NEBRASKA
O'Reilly Auto Parts has purchased property and is set to open a new store in Seward. The opening is scheduled for the first quarter of 2009.
After closing its doors in 2003, J&M Auto Repair has opened back up in Oshkosh. Owner Mike Noetzelmann worked for some other shops during his five-year leave, but reopened J&M Auto Repair because he said he was ready to go back in business on his own.
Pro Auto Tune in Beatrice has changed its name to Precision Auto Tune. Owners Randy and Cindy Kempf are also adding more services, including Blue Flame Muffler Center for repairs on regular exhaust and custom dual-exhaust systems.
After graduating from Southeast Community College in Milford, Robert Forrester became the fourth generation to work at the family-owned Forrester's Dodge City in Arnold. Forrester, who got a degree in general mechanics, will be working as a technician at the dealership.
Brown Brothers Auto Service in Curtis is now Godspeed Automotive. Rick Petersen, who worked for Brown Brothers, became the proprietor in June. Petersen has a degree in automotive technology from Southeast Community College in Milford.
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