ILLINOIS
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Missouri's (AASP-MO) Illinois Metro East Collision Chapter met May 13 to discuss waterborne paint. FinishMaster sponsored the dinner meeting and gave a presentation on the new paint system. Herb Butler, area sales manager for FinishMaster, presented to the group.
The Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA-IL) recently joined the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) in support of H.R. 5638, sponsored by U.S> Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Introduced in March, the bill would amend Title 35, U.S. Code (Patents) to provide design patent exemption for alternative repair parts used for the purpose of repairing a vehicle to its original appearance, protecting consumers from monopolies imposed by the large automakers in the aftermarket collision 
parts market. The QPC was created in early 2007 in response to a case filed by Ford Global Technologies with the International Trade Commission (ITC) against manufacturers and U.S. distributors of auto exterior repair parts on the Ford F-150, which eliminated consumer choice for seven exterior Ford F-150 repair parts.
Michael Bennett is settling into his new position as wholesale manager for the NAPA Mount Vernon Distribution Center. Bennett was promoted from his position as an undercar sales representative in January. Bennett, who has been in the parts business for more than 37 years, has strong ties to shops in the St. Louis area and brings technical experience to the position; He holds five ASE certifications.
Springfield native Tim Wilkerson dominated the NHRA POWERade Series Funny Car division at Gateway International Raceway (GIR) May 2-4. Wilkerson earned his fourth top-qualifier position of the season Saturday and topped Mike Neff in the finals of the O'Reilly Midwest Nationals to win his second Funny Car race of 2008.
INDIANA
A pair of Wabash Valley Ford dealerships--Paris Ford Lincoln-Mercury and Sullivan Ford of Paris--have recently closed. "Given the current market conditions, it was no longer feasible to operate the stores in this area," said Kevin Beyer, owner of the dealerships.
Tony and Belinda Griffin of Flora have opened Griffin's Service Center of Flora in the former Abdon building. The Griffins' business offers general repair for import and domestic vehicles.
For the sixth consecutive year Gutwein Motor Co. in Monon has earned Ford Motor Co.'s President's Award.
KENTUCKY
Southard Auto Sales of Hartford celebrated its 20th anniversary on March 19.
Toyota Boshoku America Inc., a tier-one supplier of air induction systems and cabin interiors to Toyota and General Motors, said it plans to hire 170 more employees at its Erlanger headquarters by 2009. The company now employs 100 people at the office. An expansion at the site is expected to be complete by June 1. The company said the new hires will push its payroll to nearly $20 million. It has been approved for up to $1.7 million in state tax incentives for the expansion.
Mike Smith Toyota of Paducah employs three people who received awards from Toyota for their performance in 2007. Dana Trevathan, who has been with Mike Smith Toyota for 17 years, received the Customer Relations Excellence Award. Jackie Barker, with the company for six years, was awarded the Service Excellence Award. Don Gliniewicz was awarded the Parts Excellence Award. He has been with the dealership for a year.
Walker Automotive Co., an independent repairer, has opened shop in Elkton. "I worked out of my house to build my customer base", Walker said. "I now have a customer base of about 400 repeat customers. We have all the diagnostic equipment to work on new cars and late models." Walker is certified to work on BMWs and European cars, and previously worked for BMW of Nashville.
MISSOURI
Moore Nissan of Ellisville hired collision industry veteran Jim Struckman to serve as its wholesale parts representative in April. "Knowing the business is a big plus," said Struckman, who once owned a collision repair shop in Bridgeton. "I know the ins and outs of the industry." Parts Manager John Logan said Struckman will represent the Moore Auto Groups' Kia and Mitsubishi brands as well, calling on collision and mechanical repair shops in the St. Louis area.
Hunter Engineering of Bridgeton filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hennessy Industries. The suit, filed on April 7, relates to Hunter U.S. patent numbers 6,952,964 and 7,320,248, which involve technology marketed by Hunter under the "SmartWeight" brand name. The product is designed to simplify the wheel-balancing process.
Fritz Auto Parts of Hermann recently went out of business. Owner Chris Theissen said he has an opportunity to start another career and that he'll be going to work at Peoples Savings Bank the first of June in the loan department.
The O'Reilly's shop in California is celebrating 30 years of service in the area.
A new Lamborghini auto dealership, being touted by developers as the area's first, is scheduled to debut this spring in Chesterfield. J.J. Mills and Graham Hill of St. Louis Motorsports are partnering to open the dealership. They said Lamborghini of St. Louis will be the 100th dealership worldwide for the Italian automaker.
Bob Being of Republic Ford has been named one of Time's Car Dealers of the Year.
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