Northwest

John Kraman, of Mecum auctions, addressed automotive industry professionals during a presentation at the World of Speed. (Photo by Dan Burrill)

Northwest People & Places - July 2016

IDAHO The Potlatch Days Car, Tractor, and Motorcycle Show, sponsored by Potlatch Lions Club, takes place July 16, in Potlatch. The show is part of the fundraising Potlatch Community Days event that includes everything from a parade to a chainsaw logging competition. For event details, visit www....

Shop manager Joel Michelsen says moving the shop away from Lithia’s Chevrolet dealership will help expand the range of vehicles it repairs.

Bend dealership body shop will triple its square footage this summer

Bend, Ore.—Joel Michelsen said Lithia Body & Paint of Bend’s move this summer from a 4,000-square-foot shop at one of the company’s central Oregon dealerships to a new 13,000-square-foot shop is evidence of Lithia’s belief in the collision repair industry. Lithia has about 18 body shops around...

Dan and Hoa DeBusk say they maintain a $300,000 inventory at their Fife warehouse.

Moose Radiator & A/C has large calling in Puget Sound area

Fife, Wash.—Dan and Hoa DeBusk have developed a solid base of business with their Moose Radiator & A/C distributorship that serves some 900 customers from Shoreline to Issaquah, and from Olympia to Bremerton and Bainbridge Island. “We also ship to the Omak and Brewster areas in eastern...

Titan Truck in Spokane will host a 30th anniversary open house June 4.

Northwest People & Places - June 2016

ALASKA Empowering Destinations (ED), a non-profit entity founded by family-operated Able Auto Body in Anchorage, recently awarded two single mothers in need of reliable transportation with vehicle donations. The give-a-way was held in Anchorage at the recent Kids Day 2016 event. ED has been...

ASE summer technician workshops scheduled in Northwest states

Walt Commans, the western states consultant for ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), will be presenting numerous free technician workshops for ASE test preparation during the summer months. A veteran of more than 40 years in the automotive aftermarket, Commans helps technicians and automotive...

Owner Doug Macaulay and Cody McKissen, who handles the service and parts counter at Autovice Import Parts & Service, shown at the front customer counter.

Import parts and service business serves specialty market

Lynnwood, Wash.-Autovice Import Parts & Service has a rich history in Volkswagen and Audi service, as well as providing parts for several import brands, said Owner Doug Macaulay. A lifelong VW enthusiast who drives a 1990 Vanagon, Macaulay said he started with VW/Audi service business in...

These dragsters competed at Boise’s Firebird Raceway in 2015.

Motorsports flourish throughout the Northwest and Alaska

An exciting combination of auto races, car shows, truck pulls, and performance events are scheduled throughout the greater Pacific Northwest this year. More than 625 diversified races are scheduled at tracks from Alaska to southern Oregon, and from Spokane to Boise, featuring dragsters, stock cars...

Pro Finish is a family business, with Jesse (r.) and Erin Thatcher, and their son Mitchell, all involved in the company.

Collision shop skips insurer agreements in order to always put customers, quality first

Kent, Wash. – Jesse Thatcher doesn’t hesitate when asked what makes him proudest about Pro Finish, the collision repair business he has owned and operated for the past two decades. “We produce a quality product and stand behind what we do,” Thatcher said. “Our integrity is everything for us....

Northwest students prepare for national Skills USA competition

Hundreds of Northwest high school and post-secondary students will take part in the Skills USA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) June 20-24 in Louisville, Ky. More than 6,000 career and technical students who won state contests in their respective fields will participate in the...

A muddy 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition won its category and was selected as the Best Overall Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year at Mudfest 2016.

Jeep and Volvo models take top awards at Mudfest 2016

Shelton, Wash.-The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) named the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition as the 2016 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year at its annual event, affectionately called Mudfest. Twenty-six automotive journalists tested and scored 28...