MISSOURI
Pat Horn, sales representative for Hunter Engineering Co., said he allows customers to try before they buy. He is working out of a mobile trailer filled with the latest in Hunter equipment so he can actual bring the product to the shop owner. Horn covers most of the Kansas City metro area, along with northwestern Missouri and some of south-central Missouri. The trailer is set up with an image aligner, two tire changer machines, a tire balancer, and a brake lathe.
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) gained three more supporters. Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), announced that U.S. Reps. Richard Neal, D-Mass., Carol Shea, D-N.H., and Ike Skelton, D-Mo., have joined a growing list of the bill's sponsors.
Dura Automotive Systems Inc. in Moberly announced that it will cut 250 jobs as part of a companywide restructuring fee. Company spokesman Shawn Brumbaugh said the cuts are part of the transition from manufacturing high-volume current-model car parts to a lower-volume service and replacement operation for discounted car parts.
2008 marks 20 years in business for Dennis and Patty Hancock owners of Hancock's Automotive Service in Nevada.
Mike's Auto Repair was recently welcomed to Lexington by the area chamber of commerce. Mike Turner is the owner of the new repair shop on South 20th Street.
Jeff Ogle, owner and operator of Highway AA Auto Sales in Grain Valley, is the only dealer in Kansas or Missouri to sell the ZENN (zero emissions, no noise) electric car. The top speed on the vehicle is 40 mph, and a full charge lasts about 45 miles. The basic list price is $14,700, or $18,500 with upgrades.
This year marks 60 years in business for Burr Motors in Neosho.
Springfield-based O'Reilly Automotive is set to open an East Coast distribution center in Greensboro, N.C. The distribution center will be in a new 300,000-square-foot building. O'Reilly will invest $41.7 million over three years and create 360 jobs paying an average wage of $27,201 per year plus benefits, according to a news release from the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance.
IOWA
Le Mars Ford Mercury has received the President's Award from the Ford Motor Co. The award is the highest honor a Ford dealer can receive. Only 408 or the 5,000 Ford dealerships annually receive the award, which is given to dealerships that provide top-notch service. "Earning this award is a reflection of our entire staff's commitment to delivering the best customer experience possible," said Owner Bob Jensen.
Carl Moyer, owner of Karl Chevrolet in Des Moines, was named General Motors Dealer of the Year and presented with the Jack Smith Leadership Award at a ceremony in New York.
Arnold Motor Supply in Webster City is renovating its building after part of the building warn torn down because of snow damage. The renovations will add about 2,200 square feet to the structure. During construction, a new blacktop was also applied around the building.
KANSAS
On April 8, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists of Missouri/Kansas (SCRS MO/KAN) hosted the Education Night of Achievement at Dave and Busters in Kansas City. Five area technical schools were in attendance, and awards were given to the top three collision repair students. Cody Spellman of Manhattan Area Technical College received first-place honors, Kevin Hartung of Kaw Area Technical College placed second, and Zach Gadberry of Grand River Technical School placed third.
Jim Clark, dealer operator of Jim Clark Auto Center in Junction City was honored Feb. 9 for his nomination for the 2008 Time magazine Dealer of the Year award. Clark was chosen to represent the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition. He was one of 51 automobile dealers nominated out of 19,500 dealers nationwide.
On March 31, the sales, service, and parts operation of Jay Wolfe Chevrolet in Kansas City closed its doors. General Manager Scott Duroe said the closing is "part of GM's effort to reduce dealer count."
On March 1, Randy and Becky Newberry of Attica became the new owners of Kingman's Ford dealership, which had been Vanlandingham Motors since 1962. The Newberrys also own a dealership in Harper. Former Owner Bill Vanlandingham will continue working as manager.
Hino of Wichita is the city's first dealership of the Japanese brand of medium-duty trucks that is owned by Toyota. Sue Doonan is the president of the company, which opened for business Nov. 1.
Precision Auto Body in Ulysses is expanding its business with the opening of Precision Auto Repair, located next door. The shop is offering a wide range of services on foreign and domestic vehicles.
Tony Vietti, second-generation owner of Vietti Auto Body Shop in Pittsburg, recently celebrated 60 years in business but followed up the milestone by selling the business to new owner Jeff Wood. In 2003, Vietti and Wood established a partnership that has expanded the business to include nine full-time technicians and four part-time employees with more than 100 years of combined experience.
On April 14, Clayton Taylor, owner of a NAPA Auto Parts store in Stockton, expanded his business by opening a second store in Phillipsburg.
Automotive Supply Inc., an aftermarket parts distributor in Wichita, achieved significant improvements in order turnaround, operational efficiency, and response to customer delivery inquiries through implementation of the Activant Dispatch and Delivery System from Activant Solutions Inc. "This system has improved our turnaround time so significantly that it's equivalent to having an extra driver," Vice President Rob Jacobs said.
Todd Fox, who closed 18 Fox Collision Repair Shops throughout the Midwest, has filed for bankruptcy, claiming more than $7 million in debts. During a mandatory U.S. Bankruptcy Court appearance, Fox outlined plans to sell real estate, property, and vehicles to pay a list of creditors that covered almost 100 pages.
Steve Burhenn, owner of Becker Tire & Treading Inc. in Great Bend, was elected president of the Mid-America Tire Dealers Association. Burhenn replaces David McMannis, owner of Canton Service Center in Canton, who completed his term, according to Modern Tire Dealer.
In memoriam: Former Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Chairman Martin Brown died March 8 at his home in Leawood. He was 83. Brown was active in the AWDA throughout his business career and served as chairman in 1979.
NEBRASKA
Mike and Marilyn Gilbert of Brock purchased the former Johnny's Lube Service in Auburn and reopened under the name Gilbert Services. Mike Gilbert has 22 years of experience as a mechanic with Mellage Truck & Tractor.
Michael Uriwiler and Candance Kruse were chosen as scholarship recipients by the Nebraska Autobody Association. Uriwiler was sponsored by Tom's Body Shop of Wayne, and Kruse was sponsored by Russwood Chrysler.
Ernst Auto Center in Columbus hired Doug Wiese as its new service adviser. Prior to joining the Ernst Auto Center staff, Wiese worked as an assistant manager at a local retail business.
Charlie Olsen, owner of two Meineke Car Care Centers in Omaha, had a combined annual growth of 75 percent between the two stores. The growth put Olson over $1 million in sales last year. Only 26 out of 900 Meineke stores nationwide hit that mark.
Huber Cadillac Inc. of Omaha was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine for falsifying more than 200 new vehicle titles -- mostly for Hummers -- to receive $300,000 in incentive payment from GM.
Specialty Sales of Omaha, an auto and truck parts distributor, recognized John Penne for 62 years of service at the company Jobber Show held in Omaha on March 29, 2008. Penne was an outside salesman calling on jobbers in Nebraska before his retirement in January.
On March 29, several hundred people attended the annual Jobber Show at Specialty Sales of Omaha. The event brings the specialty customers face-to-face with factory representatives so the customers can see new products and learn about the newest diagnostic tools and equipment.