Christenson Chevrolet to unveil expansion

HIGHLAND | March brings the start of spring, basketball frenzy and the wearing of the green on St. Patrick’s Day.

Report: 2 Chicago-made Ford vehicles may head to Michigan

CHICAGO | It has been more than three months since Detroit-based media reported Ford Motor Co. was interested in moving the next generation Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles to a Michigan assembly plant.

AUTOMOTIVE: Auto sales reflecting boost in economic activity

Light vehicle sales in the United States rising 13.4 percent in 2012 from a year earlier shows that the industry continues to show improvements from the depths of the recession, said automobile dealership owner Tim Roper.

AUTOMOTIVE: Fuel economy standard to impact buying patterns

Tim Roper said the availability of credit and the age of the fleet of on the road are driving a lot of the current vehicle purchasing activity.

Rear styling highlights Volvo R-Design

The 2012 Volvo C30 features a large glass hatch and tall rear lamps.

Rear styling highlights Volvo R-Design

Curvaceous contours and LED tail lights accent the 2012 Volvo XC60 Polestar R-Design.

AUTOMOTIVE: Dealers concerned about rising lot inventory

Multiple automobile manufacturers have announced intentions to ramp up production this year in anticipation of higher levels of demand.

Lowell Body Shop owner Dave Hirata helps Lowell students

Lowell High School junior Tyler Kozinski tapes a window as Dave Hirata from the Lowell Body Shop checks on the progress of a truck rebuilding project earlier this month.

Lowell Body Shop owner Dave Hirata helps Lowell students

Dave Hirata, left, from the Lowell Body Shop, gives advice to Lowell High students earlier this month. The students are in the process of rebuilding a truck at the school.

Lowell Body Shop owner Dave Hirata helps Lowell students

Dave Hirata, center, owner of the Lowell Body Shop, gives advice to Lowell High School junior Matt Brogdon as he sands a fender earlier this month. Brogdon and his classmates are in the process of rebuilding a pickup truck at the school.

Lowell Body Shop owner Dave Hirata helps Lowell students

Dave Hirata, center, owner of the Lowell Body Shop, gives advice to Lowell High School students. The students are in the process of rebuilding a pickup truck at the school.

Lowell Body Shop owner Dave Hirata helps Lowell students

Dave Hirata, left, of the Lowell Body Shop, gives advice to Lowell High School senior Austin Rosink and his classmates earlier this month. The students are in the process of rebuilding a truck at the school.

AUTOMOTIVE: Strength in auto buying, manufacturing needed to support economy

Economic conditions helped activity in the automobile industry improve in 2011, but dealership owner Tim Roper said predicting stellar conditions in 2012 will be far from easy.

Christmas star shines again over Lowell skies

The town of Lowell rescued a star that shone over the town for nearly 50 years. Streets superintendent Frank Lovely, above, and his crew check the star periodically for burned out lights or vandalism.

Christmas star shines again over Lowell skies

The town of Lowell rescued a star that shone over the town for nearly 50 years. The star was attached to the Rieter Automotive building before it burned down earlier this year and is now located at The Point Park. Streets Superintendent Frank Lovely, above, and his crew check the star period…

AUTOMOTIVE: Aging vehicle purchases hoping to beat eroding consumer confidence

Sales at his dealerships may be up between 15 percent and 20 percent this year, but Tim Roper said there are plenty of challenges remaining in the automotive sector.

Initial car quality falling for new vehicles

A California-based research firm said initial quality of newly launched model vehicles has fallen sharply after showing improvement in the previous three years, according to the results of a study it led.

AUTOMOTIVE: Industry set to recover from natural disasters

Tim Roper said the auto industry has taken punches from natural disasters domestically and abroad in recent months, but is poised to recover later this year.

Ivy Tech commends automotive classes

ST. JOHN | Four of Lake Central High School's vocational automotive classes were approved this month for dual credit by Ivy Tech Community College - Northwest.

Chicago-built Ford Explorer sales up 111 percent in March

A Ford employee inspects a Ford Explorer on the assembly line Dec. 1 at the Chicago plant. Last month's sales of the Chicago-built Explorer were more than double March 2010 figures.