IOWA
John Washbish, President and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc. (Alliance), the parent company of Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, announced the 2010 Board of Directors, which included newcomer Dennis Spooner, President of The Merrill Co., in Spencer.
Le Mars Ford is adding Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep sales and service to its dealership. Owner Bob Jensen said he is transferring those franchises from Heartland Motors, which he owns in Hawarden, to his Le Mars dealership. The announcement comes seven months after Motor Inn of Le Mars lost its Chrysler franchise along with 788 others across the nation during Chrysler's bankruptcy. Now known as Jensen's Le Mars Ford Chrysler, the business will see three new employees added to its 24-member staff, two in sales and one technician.
MISSOURI
KC Street Rod Parts has a new location and is under new management. It is now located inside Tallant’s Hot Rod Shop at 1777 Iron in North Kansas City, but its phone number will remain the same, 816-453-2761.
Missouri State Sen. Wes Shoemyer has introduced a bill seeking to establish a state board of autobody repair, and to require that autobody shops and damage appraisers be licensed by the state. If passed, the bill (SB709) would require the governor to appoint members of the state board of autobody repair. The board would set licensing requirements for all state collision repair shops and appraisers. Autobody repair facilities would have to submit an application to the board and pay an annual licensing fee of $250. Additionally, they would need to have all required state and federal licenses, permits, and registrations; provide proof of insurance; provide proof of compliance with EPA and OSHA training requirements; provide proof that employees have completed current National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) training for the type of work being performed; possess or have access to proper equipment; possess an enclosed area for spray painting refinish operations; and possess an acceptable current reference source for estimating the cost of repairs. To renew a license, a facility would have to prove completion of continuing education. The board would consist of collision repair industry professionals as well as someone representing consumers.
Gary Drewing, owner of Joe Machens in Columbia, has purchased Perry Nissan from owner Justin Perry. The deal included the business and the real estate it occupies. Drewing, who has been buying up market share since taking sole ownership of Machens in 2006, last year bought Legend Automotive Group. He said Nissan is an attractive acquisition, and his goal for the dealership is simple. “We think Nissan is one of the better franchises around, and we think it’s a huge opportunity for the Machens organization,” he said. “Obviously our goal with Nissan is to make it the No. 1 Nissan dealership in the state.” Drewing said he’ll be adding inventory, hiring more sales staff and increasing marketing and advertising. Drewing said he expects to retain most of the current Nissan employees and quickly add more. “We think in a very short time the employee count will triple,” he said.
On Jan. 21, at the Yellow Rock Barn in Raytown, ASA-MO/KAN hosted Trainer Chris Chesney, who gave a sneak preview of three CARQUEST-sponsored technical training classes that will be part of the lineup at the 2010 Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo. Chris selected three case studies pertaining to the topic of each class, including Essential Domestic Vehicle Secturity Systems Diagnostics, Transmission Driveability Diagnosis, and Vehicle Network Diagnosis. Chesney said the main thing that shop owners can take from his training is that OE scan tools are a necessity to handle today’s automotive problems. “There is a storm coming in the next five years, and it is going to turn things upside down,” he said. “It is going to change the way we do business.”
On February 6-7, O’Reilly Auto Parts will host the 12th Annual Auto Fest—an indoor event featuring everything automotive, from street rods and muscle cars to 4x4’s and motorcycles. In addition, special feature vehicles and guest celebrities will be appearing throughout the weekend. The event will be held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield.
NEBRASKA
Steve Hinchcliff, president and CEO of H&H Chevrolet, recently purchased Kia of Omaha, the largest Kia store in Nebraska, previously owned by Rod Rhoden. “We’re very excited to be taking on the Kia brand,” said Hinchcliff. “We feel the outstanding quality of the Kia vehicles coupled with their value pricing fits nicely with what we’ve proudly provided customers as a Chevy dealer for the last 80 years. We’ve built our reputation by providing quality vehicles at great prices with great customer service. By selling Kia vehicles we can now offer this same formula to an even larger group of customers including import vehicle intenders,” he said.
