The new K&J Chevrolet is open for business in Carlyle at 3051 Franklin St. after moving from its location across from the courthouse. Tony Jansen, owner of the dealership, said he personally attended to the details of the move. "The reason we're moving is we've outgrown it," he said.  Second, he said, he'd rather own his own building than renting. "Foremost, it will give customers easier access to the sales and service departments," he said.

INDIANA
Princeton Auto Plaza Owners Jim Wilderman and Mark Ide have purchased the Bob Kranitz Used Car Superstore from owner Gloria Kranitz. The Evansville dealerships will be run under the Patriot banner. The Kranitz location at Morgan Avenue and Boeke Road will be known as Patriot Pre-owned Superstore, and the Princeton Auto Plaza on Indiana 64 West will change its name to Patriot Chevrolet Buick Pontiac GMC.

For the third year, Uebelhor Toyota in Jasper was named a recipient of the 2006 Toyota Motor Sales President's Award. The 21st annual award was presented to a select group of dealerships. In order to qualify as a President's Award winner, dealerships must excel in sales and customer care. Uebelhor Toyota has also been recognized for community support of the local Boy Scouts.

Former professional baseball player Brian Dorsett credits good teamwork for a top national honor his company, Dorsett Mitsubishi, recently received. Dorsett said his Terre Haute-based new- and used- car dealership was named the No. 1 Diamond Chapter of Excellence dealer in the United States for 2006 by Mitsubishi Motors. Dorsett Mitsubishi is 37th nationwide in sales among Mitsubishi dealerships, Dorsett said. The award takes into consideration service, parts, technicians, sales, and customer service, in addition to sales, he said. "They are more interested in how you treat the customer," he said. 

 
MISSOURI
The Tire Industry Association has announced the winners of the recent board of directors' elections. Thirteen seats were open. Mike Berra of Community Tire Retreading in Maryland Heights, was among those elected to the board.

Ray Renehan of Stone Wheel Inc. was named the 2007 Executive of the Year in recognition of his voluntary contributions to the National Pronto Association at their fall membership meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Bill Maggs, president of the association, said, "Ray has helped set the direction of the association and has served unselfishly on the Pronto Board of Directors for the benefit of all shareholders."

Wayne and Joe Lore have sold the 75-year old family business, L&L Auto and Truck Salvage on Highway 21 north of Potosi, to brothers Robert "Bob" and Jim Black. The Black brothers will continue to buy and sell new and used auto and truck parts. The business is now known as Brothers Auto and Truck Salvage.

 
Dave Sinclair, owner of Dave Sinclair Automotive Group of St. Louis, has become a vocal proponent of prostate cancer screening after dealing with his own diagnosis of prostate cancer and the deaths of two employees from prostate cancer. "St. Louis has supported me and my family for 50 years," Sinclair said. "And when they came to me, I supported the Siteman Cancer Center." His dealerships have hosted prostate cancer PSA screenings last year and this September. Last year, about 400 men were screened, and about a dozen were found to have prostate cancer. The message from Sinclair is for men to get exams. "It's very stupid not to have these examinations. Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid," he said.

Fulton has a new discount tire center. Big O Tire has opened on Business 54 South in the former Gail's Fast Lube building. The retail operations director, Randy Coats, said a recent customer survey showed that Fulton residents were willing to travel to Columbia and Jefferson City to glean the savings and that Fulton has the economic and population base to support it. "Bottom line, we didn't feel like Fulton's buying public was getting serviced the right way," Coats said. "We're really excited about opening in Fulton and feel it will be our most efficient location."

This year's recipient of the BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship is Greg Osborne, an estimator at Schaefer Autobody Center in Webster Groves. The scholarship, announced by the Automotive Management Institute and Babcox Publications, is presented annually to recognize management-oriented members of the Automotive Service Association's Collision Division.  The recipient receives $1,000 toward attending the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas.