Holm Automotive of Abilene has pledged $100 for every car sold to Chapman Tornado Relief Funds.  The goal is to reach 10,000, which will be split between Chapman and USD 473. "We have six Chapman grads working for us, so we have Chapman ties here, and we want to help," said Fixed Operations Director Gary Hasselman.

Osage Chevrolet-Buick in Osage City recently announced a management change, including Jerry Olson as new general manager, Homer Garza as business manager, and Mike Bailey named service manager.

Mike Carpino Ford Mobility in Columbus received an Award of Merit in the retail category in June during the Kansas Business Appreciation Month. They were nominated by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

IOWA
Kia of Des Moines was recently recognized as being among the top 15 dealerships nationwide for Kia parts sales volume. Kia of Des Moines Parts Manager Ed Shoemaker, along with 14 other recipients, traveled to South Korea to accept the award and see the KIA production facilities.

 

Bill and Ray's Truck Repair of Oskaloosa will be relocating. Co-owners Dave and Dennis DeJong said the new address will be 2455 Highway 23, southeast of Oskaloosa's Industrial Park. "Our business has grown enough that we don't have enough parking space in our lot, and our building is just not big enough," Dave DeJong said.

Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. donated $100,000 to American Red Cross flood relief efforts across Iowa. "We are always looking for opportunities to give back to the communities where we live and work," said Ken Allen, vice president of Firestone Ag.

MISSOURI
Bentz Auto in Kahoka changed ownership and names at the beginning of 2008. The Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet dealership changed its name to Advantage Auto Center. "We just switched names," said Sales Manager Kirk Watson. "The hours and services are the same. The only change is the new signs."

Kustom Kolor Paint and Body Repair in Parkville is now Barbosa's Kustom Kolor. Owner Rey Barbosa purchased the collision repair shop in February.

Jack Miller Kia in North Kansas City was recently recognized as one of the top 15 Kia dealerships nationwide for parts sales volume.  Jack Miller Kia Parts Manager Dennis Faltermeier, along with 14 other recipients, traveled to South Korea to accept the award and see the KIA production facilities.

A benefit concert was held for Konner Rose, the son of an Automotive Service Association of Missouri and Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) member. The concert was Aug. 5 at the Gillioz Theater in Springfield. The 4-year-old was born with an underdeveloped nerve, which caused blindness. Konner and his family will be traveling to China at the end of the year for surgery. The surgery, which is only performed in China, stimulates the optic nerve and causes growth in the nerve. Donations can be made through PayPal at www.myspace.com/konnorsvision.

On July 23, Eight NASCAR Sprint Cup stars, including Federated spokesman Ken Schrader, raced in the sixth annual M&M NASCAR Night of Stars at Schrader's I-55 Raceway in Pevely. The charity event donated proceeds to a variety of charities. Schrader, along with NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, Ron Hornaday, Dennis Setzer, Terry Labonte, Justin Labonte, Rick Crawford, Dave Blaney, Stephen Wallace, and Brendan Gaughan, raced in UMP Modifieds.  Schrader drove his own No. 9 UMP Modified sponsored by Federated and provided two-time cup champion Stewart with a Federated-sponsor car to drive.

In memoriam: Greg Weld, former racecar driver and founder of Weld Wheels Industries in Kansas City, has died at age 64. Weld won more than 100 Sprint Car races, including the 1963 Knoxville Nationals, the premiere Sprint Car event. Weld also raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 36 career starts, including the 1970 Indianapolis 500. "Greg Weld was a visionary in the motorsports industry," said Bob Baker, president of the Sprint Car Hall of Fame. "He raced his way into the record books and into the hearts of many, but more than anything else, Greg Weld was a great friend and will be missed by everyone."

NEBRASKA
Suzuki Auto Plex in Lincoln failed to modify business practices that violated the law and thus had to surrender its license as a new-vehicle dealer. Some of the violations included a failure to supply titles to new-vehicle purchasers and the failure to pay off loans on trade-in vehicles in a timely manner. Owner Chadron Gutschow can continue to operate his used-vehicle dealership, but he has sold the new-vehicle dealership to his father, Terry Gutschow, who will have to relicense the business.

SOUTH DAKOTA
American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) hired David Martin as director of sales of equipment, tools, and supply products, and promoted Brad Pearson to general manager and director of business development in its Sioux Falls Distribution Center.