SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) is holding its annual meeting at the San Diego Hilton Resort & Spa on Oct. 3-5. The program theme, "Don't Take A Gamble…Invest in Your Future," is one that is sure to capture the interest of the automotive repair industry. For more information contact Jackie Miller at jmiller@amgroup.us.
Yokohama Tire Corp.'s Advan is the official tire sponsor of Hooked on Driving (HOD). Advan got even more visibility as Yokohama Tire became the official event sponsor of two new HOD events: Buttonwillow Raceway Park on July 18 in Buttonwillow, and Spring Mountain Raceway on Sept. 5 in Pahrump, Nev. Hooked on Driving (www.hookedondriving.com) is an advanced driving instructional program aimed at improving the technique of drivers who sit behind the wheel of high-performance cars. Each event provides drivers valuable time on the track and access to driving coaches. HOD has experienced rapid growth not only in Southern California and Nevada, but is holding events across the country, from Monterey to Pocono, Pa., to Moroso Park, Fla.
Ken Boylan (r.) of Bristol West Insurance Co. in Anaheim receives the "I-CAR Instructor of the Year" award for the training organization's western zone from Bob Mickey, I-CAR Western Zone manager. In presenting the award at I-CAR's annual meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., in late July, Mickey praised Boylan's ability to provide "info-tainment" as an instructor, whether teaching a group of 30 or 300, as Boylan has done at NACE. Photo by John Yoswick.
On July 22, the Sacramento Bee reported that the 4th District Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of flexible policies regarding on-the-job meal and rest breaks, siding with employers. In its decision, the court stated that employers are not responsible for ensuring that their workers take their meal and rest breaks, that employers are only obligated to make those breaks available. The decision will allow flexibility for both employers and employees, who may want to determine when they take work breaks, supporters of the decision said. The California Labor Federation has indicated that an appeal is likely.
Lynn Nace of Intro Wheels was named Goodguys 2008 Woman of the Year during the Goodguys 11th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Nace accepted the award, a specially designed character painting by renowned hot rod artist Bob McCoy, at a special industry reception July 10 in Columbus. First introduced to cars by her father more than 50 years ago, Nace is a leading automotive aftermarket executive and an avid Corvette collector in her hometown of Upland.
Power Honda Costa Mesa will be one of a few dealers leasing the FCX Clarity sedan, a hydrogen-powered car from Honda Motor Co. The cars are set to lease for $600 a month for three years each, including maintenance. Honda's first hydrogen fuel-cell car for consumers is set to lease at only two other Southern California dealerships, in Santa Monica and Torrance. The cars aren't being leased in massive quantities because there are few refueling stations. One is in Irvine. Honda plans to lease about 200 of the vehicles in the next three years. Mass production isn't slated for another 10 years.
Santa Ana's Crevier BMW's and Newport Beach's Sterling BMW's Ultimate Drive charity event raised more than $13,000. The money will benefit the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure's Orange County chapter. For every mile that any new BMW was driven, BMW donated $1 to Komen, which funds breast cancer research and community programs. Crevier BMW topped that by matching the donation.
Temecula's first Mercedes-Benz dealership could open as early as September 2009 after the city planning commission approved the development plan submitted by Fletcher Jones Motorcars of Newport Beach. Fletcher Jones will build an 80,000-square-foot facility with a showroom, auto service center, and carwash on a 13-acre site at the northwest corner of Ynez Road and Waverly Lane. I-15 borders the site to the west. About 100 employees are slated to work at the dealership.
Months of controversy and agonizing over how to best expand a long-term car dealership in Glendale has been settled, said Bob Smith Toyota Owner Mike Smith. Bob Smith Toyota has purchased the former Nissan Dealership across the street and will be moving within the next few months after Glendale's Design Review Board turned down plans to build a 72,000-square-foot structure for the third time. With the purchase of the Nissan dealership, it fulfilled all of the needs for the Toyota store, with 120,000 square feet, showroom space for five or six cars, and 34 service bays, Smith said.
Longtime Owners Jerry and Ann Atkinson of Center Chevrolet Inc. in San Bernardino have sold their Chevrolet and Mazda dealerships as part of a court-approved bankruptcy reorganization plan to pay off creditors, stemming from a February Chapter 11 filing. The Atkinsons operated the business for 25 years. Temecula businessman Carlos Uruchurtu bought the Chevrolet dealership and plans to keep it at its location. The Mazda inventory was sold to San Bernardino Mitsubishi and has been sold on the Mitsubishi lot since June. Plans were being made to add a Mazda showroom.
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