Worth noting in business: Toyota sales pick up locally, job fair and more
| Thursday, Mar 11 2010 05:03 AM
Last Updated Thursday, Mar 11 2010 05:09 PM
Local Toyota sales last month outpaced their totals from a year before despite the automaker's recent recalls and a temporary suspension of sales.
According to new figures from Cross-Sell Reports, Bill Wright Toyota surpassed its February 2009 new vehicle sales by about 5 percent, selling 99 vehicles last month; North Bakersfield Toyota sold 60, a 62 percent jump from a year before.
Steve Downs, president and owner of both dealerships, said his sales are going well partly because the local economy has improved.
"I think in general the car business is better now than it was a year ago," he said.
Local new vehicle sales overall increased by less than 2 percent to 716 in February as compared with a year before, Cross-Sell reported.
On Jan. 21, Toyota Motor Corp. said it was recalling 2.3 million vehicles in the United States in order to fix accelerator pedals. Five days later, the company suspended sales of eight car and truck models affected by the recall Sales of those models resumed Feb. 4.
The annual China Lake Job Fair has been scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22 at the naval air weapons station's Paradise Community Center.
The fair is expected to highlight opportunities in the fields of electronics, high technology, mechanics and law enforcement. Among the employers planning to attend: Jacobs Technology Inc., Wyle Laboratories, Searles Valley Minerals, Cerro Coso Community College, MIL Corp., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and SA-TECH. More information is available by calling Joan Tells at 760-939-4553, or Andy Lara at 760-939-4545.
Bakersfield-based trucking company Don E. Keith Transportation LLC has been purchased by an Ohio-based outfit.
Don E. Keith Transportation has moved asphalt, fuel, lubricants and crude oil since the 1940s.
The company that bought it, Kenan Advantage Group Inc., has focused its West Coast operations on fuel transportation. Kenan issued a statement this week saying it saw the Feb. 22 transaction as a way to expand its menu of services to its customers in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
San Joaquin Community Hospital announced Thursday that Kevin Burton has been named executive director and president of the hospital's foundation.
Burton previously worked as director of corporate development and public relations at the Law Offices of Young Wooldridge LLP. He has served on local boards including those of the Fruitvale Schools District and the Downtown Business Association.
Since 2008 Burton has served on the hospital foundation board, and was co-chairman of its Burn Committee.
The foundation has never had an executive director before, although board Chairwoman Chris Frank has filled that position on an interim basis since the foundation's former director took another director job within the hospital late last year.
San Joaquin Vice President Jarrod McNaughton said the switch to having an executive director and president is part of the foundation's application to become an independent nonprofit rather than a department within the nonprofit hospital.
The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its Spring Business After Hours Trade Show Mixer for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center.
The event, sponsored by Bright House Networks Business Solutions, is to feature about 45 local businesses, as well as hors d'oeuvres, giveaways and prizes.
Admission costs $5 at the door, although coupons for free admission are available online at bakersfieldchamber.org. For more information, call the chamber at 327-4421.
The Downtown Business Association is hosting its annual membership drive beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday at its office, 2000 K St., unit 120.
More information is available by calling the association at 325-5892, or going online at www:bakersfielddba.net.
