Shasta Nissan Subaru in Redding was fined $34,750 by CARB in September for illegally modifying engines from 2004 through 2007 on their light- and medium-duty vehicles with an aftermarket part before they were sold.  The part, the Vortex Fuel Maximizer, is intended to improve gas mileage and performance in cars by changing the flow of air as it mixes with the gasoline before combustion. 

CARB also announced that it has fined Safety-Kleen Systems Inc., a hazardous-waste disposal provider and cleaning products manufacturer, $43,500 for diesel truck emission violations that occurred in 2006 and 2007 throughout California.  A CARB audit found that the company did not conduct the mandatory fleet inspections at locations in 13 California cities.

The Silicon Valley Auto Group in Los Gatos was chosen as an Aston Martin Heritage Specialist, effective Oct. 1, making the dealership a preferred parts and service organization for Aston Martin Heritage owners on the West Coast.

Zumwalt Ford in Saint Helena has received Ford Motor Co.'s 2007 President's Award for superior customer satisfaction and celebrated by hosting a dinner at the town's firehouse on Aug. 2.

San Francisco Ford Lincoln Mercury recently hosted a special evening in their new showroom, a fundraiser benefitting The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit organization bringing creative projects to children battling serious medical conditions.

The NAPA Auto Parts store at the corner of North Main Street and West Bernal Drive in Salinas has undergone a yearlong facelift to double its space and make way for more inventory, Owner Ron Fergason announced.

Lovegreen Motors, a 63-year-old car dealership in Sanger, was sold to Sarah and Brett Hedrick in late August, former Owner Stan Lovegreen said.  The new name of the dealership is Hedrick's Buick, Pontiac, GMC.

Marina Motor Co. in Santa Cruz terminated its General Motors dealer franchise agreement on Aug. 21, citing the economic downturn as the main reason, ending a 40-year relationship with the manufacturer, Business Manager Barbara Smith announced.

After an extensive search, Alldata announced that it will remain in Elk Grove and expand into larger facilities rather than move.  The company said it will move into a 75,000-square-foot building being erected by Jackson Properties Inc. in August 2009.

Oakdale High School senior Justin Myers, who suffers from red blood cell anemia, is the owner of a restored 1969 Camaro, a gift from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento.  The classic vehicle was completely restored by A&A Auto Body of Oakdale.

Citing tough economic conditions and a drop in sales, the Sullivan Auto Group consolidated its Saturn of Roseville business operations into nearby John L. Sullivan Chevrolet in the Roseville Automall.  Thirty mechanics and other employees were laid off on Sept. 2 as part of the restructuring.

Josh Stamp of Ed Dena's Auto Center in Dinuba has been designated as a World Class Technician by General Motors.  He received the honor after completing the highest level of training offered by GM.

Aims Auto of Vallejo was forced to close its doors on Sept. 2 after just eight months in business, when its parent dealership, Sunnyvale Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge, went out of business, former Owner Sean Shahid announced on Sept. 2.

It was a memorable day for five Federated Auto Parts Car Care Center members as they spent the day dirt-track racing with NASCAR driver and dirt-track legend Ken Schrader at Schrader's I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., on Sept. 8.  Northern California was represented by Robert McCommon Jr., owner of The Oil Connection in Fairfield.

Doug Stanley of Levin's Auto Supply in Sacramento has been appointed to the California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers Association's (CAWA) Board of Directors.