MARTIN TUREX BEGINS “NAPA KNOWS HOW TO CARE” PROGRAM IN COLUMBIA, S.C. Love Automotive in Columbia Collecting Names of People In Need of Brake Repair CAYCE, S.C. – No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. relies on his pit crew whenever his race car needs repairs. On Wednesday near Columbia, S.C., it … Read more →

MARTIN TUREX BEGINS “NAPA KNOWS HOW TO CARE” PROGRAM IN COLUMBIA, S.C.

Love Automotive in Columbia Collecting Names of People In Need of Brake Repair

CAYCE, S.C. – No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota driver Martin Truex Jr. relies on his pit crew whenever his race car needs repairs. On Wednesday near Columbia, S.C., it was the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver’s turn to act as the chief mechanic.

The Michael Waltrip Racing driver visited Love Automotive, a NAPA AutoCare Center, in Cayce, S.C. to supervise the pit stop for Blair Raines whose car had fallen out of repair. Truex and the shop employees put on new NAPA brakes and made some general repairs.

Raines, 27, from Leesville, S.C. returned from a year in Afghanistan with the 1221 South Carolina Engineering and Clearance Company in the National Guard. Raines and his company’s duties were to ensure safe travel in some very tough areas.

“Our jobs were to clear the road of the bombs planted by the bad guys,” said Raines. “We took the hits for everyone. They said it was the most dangerous job in country.”

The company deployed in July 2010 and returned a year later with two less Guardsmen. “That was hard,” recalled Raines. Will Rabon was one of my best friends. I didn’t know Willie Harley as well, but when you start to lose friends and acquaintances in war it gives you a new perspective on so many things.”

That wasn’t lost on Truex. “You see soldiers and guardsmen like Blair every weekend at the racetrack and I feel honored when they ask for my picture or autograph,” said Truex who is sixth in the standings heading into Saturday’s race at Darlington Raceway. “They are heroes and deserve to be recognized for their service whenever possible. They and their families have incredible courage. Their attitudes are unbelievable and it’s a privilege just to hang around them. We fixed up his car today, put on new NAPA brakes and saved him some money he could use to spend on other things.”

Wednesday’s pit stop for Raines will be the first of several repairs in the Columbia area kicking off the NAPA KNOWS HOW TO CARE program that runs through June. Love Automotive will accept nominations from customers of deserving families or organizations that could use a brake repair similar to the work done for Raines.

Before he left for Afghanistan, Raines worked in heating and cooling near Columbia. Upon his return he started working at VC Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, S.C. But he has a goal. “I’ve been talking with officers about flying helicopters – specifically medevac copters,” said Raines. “I’m tired of shooting at people. I want to start helping them.”

To submit nominations contact: Love Automotive Group Columbia; Sales Department: (803) 407-4849 Service: (803) 407-4800;

Love Automotive recently celebrated their 50th anniversary! We threw a party to celebrate the past 50 fabulous years and cheers to each year being better than the last! The party was held in the Chevrolet showroom and also served to commemorate tenure for our great employees! We want to congratulate all of those who have … Read more →

Love Automotive recently celebrated their 50th anniversary! We threw a party to celebrate the past 50 fabulous years and cheers to each year being better than the last! The party was held in the Chevrolet showroom and also served to commemorate tenure for our great employees! We want to congratulate all of those who have reached their 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, and 45th milestone!! At each milestone an employee reaches they receive a different clock to commemorate their time with the Love Company. Not many companies retain passion for their careers after so long!! Thank you for your loyalty to The Love Family!

Owner, Michael Love, with the tenure clocks

Ben Hoover speaking at the Anniversary Dinner

The 3rd Annual McDonalds car give-away was held at Love Chevrolet on November 8th, and hosted by Mr. Don Lockhart. McDonalds holds this event each year to reward store managers for their outstanding performance. This year the winner of the car was Mr. Dave Allen Mitchell who was awarded the grand prize for his excellence … Read more →

The 3rd Annual McDonalds car give-away was held at Love Chevrolet on November 8th, and hosted by Mr. Don Lockhart. McDonalds holds this event each year to reward store managers for their outstanding performance. This year the winner of the car was Mr. Dave Allen Mitchell who was awarded the grand prize for his excellence in customer satisfaction!  His hard work paid off when he was handed the keys to his new Chevy! Love Chevrolet provided the fabulous brand new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze as his reward! Check out the photos of the winner with his awesome car! Congratulations and enjoy your well deserved new Cruze!

Don Lockhart awards a brand new Love Chevrolet Cruze to David Allen Mitchell!

Looking good with that new Cruze! CONGRATULATIONS!

Check out our photos from the recent Town of North’s Christmas Parade! What a great time we had participating in this event and spreading cheer  for the holiday season!

Check out our photos from the recent Town of North’s Christmas Parade! What a great time we had participating in this event and spreading cheer  for the holiday season!

It is time once again to remember the thousands of children who would not celebrate the season without the selfless efforts of the U.S. Marines and the wonderful folks at TOYS FOR TOTS. This year, Love Chevrolet was once again a collection location for those of you kind enough to drop off toy donations. Toys … Read more →

It is time once again to remember the thousands of children who would not celebrate the season without the selfless efforts of the U.S. Marines and the wonderful folks at TOYS FOR TOTS. This year, Love Chevrolet was once again a collection location for those of you kind enough to drop off toy donations.

Truckload of toys collected in the Love Chevrolet showroom!

Thank you so much for helping us to exceed the numbers of toys we collect each year and for being part of this great charity that brings joy to others during the holidays. Your donations mean so much to many people! The Love Chevrolet team wishes you and your families a safe and happy holiday!

Love Automotive is a strong supporter of Breast Cancer awareness! The pink cookies for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation supports in their efforts to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures! The cookies are available in the Love Chevrolet showroom from September 1st- … Read more →

Love Automotive is a strong supporter of Breast Cancer awareness! The pink cookies for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation supports in their efforts to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures! The cookies are available in the Love Chevrolet showroom from September 1st- October 31st! Come try a luscious chocolate cookie with pink colored candies all during Breast Cancer awareness month!

At the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association Meeting, one of the chiefs proposed that we bring a new Chevy Caprice out to the Criminal Justice Academy and allow them to drive and get a feel for how it rides under police pursuit conditions. Jumping at the idea, we invited each county in SC to come … Read more →

At the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association Meeting, one of the chiefs proposed that we bring a new Chevy Caprice out to the Criminal Justice Academy and allow them to drive and get a feel for how it rides under police pursuit conditions.

Jumping at the idea, we invited each county in SC to come run the heck out of one of our Caprices!!  We had a great time talking with everyone and listening to their opinion of Chevy’s newest police car and we’re proud to say… they LOVED it!!

Once they were done driving and riding, they invited some of the Love Employees to ride with them.  Let’s just say it was the most nerve racking ride of my life and I would not suggest trying to out run these guys, they’re good… especially in the Caprice!  We are so happy to have had this opportunity and hope to maintain this close relationship with our SC Law Enforcement Officers through the best brand on the road, CHEVY!

Check out our Facebook photo album of this awesome event HERE!

Each year the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association has a luncheon where they invite companies, such as Love Chevrolet, to display our products and show how it could benefit their departments. Love Chevrolet was proud to display Chevy’s full line up of Police Vehicles including the Tahoe, Impala, and Caprice.  While the Chiefs meeting is … Read more →

Each year the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association has a luncheon where they invite companies, such as Love Chevrolet, to display our products and show how it could benefit their departments.

Love Chevrolet was proud to display Chevy’s full line up of Police Vehicles including the Tahoe, Impala, and Caprice.  While the Chiefs meeting is in progress, vendors take the opportunity to walk around and check out other displays.

Love Chevrolet's Lauren Carnprobst couldn't resist posing like a cop in front of one of their displays!

For more great photos and information about this event, visit our Facebook Page!

Love Chevrolet was proud to be the first business to display this mobile 9/11 memorial containing two steel beams from the World Trade Center. We did not advertise this display due to our concern for using such sensitive material as a marketing tool; however, the information below explains how you can conveniently visit the memorial … Read more →

Drafted plans of the finished monument

Love Chevrolet was proud to be the first business to display this mobile 9/11 memorial containing two steel beams from the World Trade Center. We did not advertise this display due to our concern for using such sensitive material as a marketing tool; however, the information below explains how you can conveniently visit the memorial right here in Columbia!

A Partnership between the City of Columbia, Lexington and Richland Counties will build a “First Responders Remembrance Memorial” at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina between March – August 2011. Our historic memorial will include integrating two 9-11-2001 New York City World Trade Center Steel beams from Tower #1 (gifts received on September 7, 2010 in New York City) into the design as shown here today.

The “First Responders Remembrance Memorial” will include all South Carolina Midlands firefights, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and all branches of the military who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The two large monoliths are to be stone. Attached will be all polished black granite panels. The names of the First Responders are to be cut into the face of the panels with palladium leaf inset for highlights. On a ground level stone slab below each panel will be carved the agency of services. The design will allow for viewing from eight faces. Proposed first responder categories are: firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and U.S. Military.

The mobile/temporary display at Love Chevrolet

The tops of each monument has been cut off. The two fallen pieces are to be set on the face edge of the stone to allow the largest inner surface to be face up and angled for reading. Names of the first responders who were lost in the 9-11 event will be carved into the fallen slabs. The design will allow passers to look downward reflecting with a lowered head as they read the names.

The Cut Fallen Pieces of stone are intended to reflect a portion of the design of the New Freedom Tower. The steel is crossed to show the union and path from the past to the future. While inferring the connection between all people of varying cultures who come together and serve during natural or man-made disasters.

It would be our hope that the memorial will be a living sculpture, names can be added to the black granite panels without affecting the monoliths and other pieces.

We hope that you will be able to visit this monument and honor our fellow Americans, United We Stand!

For more photos of this inspiring memorial’s visit to Love Chevrolet please visit our Facebook page here: Love Chevrolet Facebook!

Perfection isn’t easy!!!! Chevy Drive for Perfection is a FREE program that rewards perfect high school attendance with a new car! The program is funded by Love Chevrolet and other local Chevy Dealers and is available for high schools to participate in at no cost. Statistics show that students who have poor attendance for reasons … Read more →

Perfection isn’t easy!!!! Chevy Drive for Perfection is a FREE program that rewards perfect high school attendance with a new car! The program is funded by Love Chevrolet and other local Chevy Dealers and is available for high schools to participate in at no cost. Statistics show that students who have poor attendance for reasons other than illness are more likely to drop out and to fall behind their peers in the classroom. All Seniors at the participating schools who achieved a 98% attendance or better in their senior year were registered as a finalist among all eligible entries. The winner received a brand new 2011 Chevy Cruze! Going to school just got a whole lot sweeter!! We can’t wait for next year!

Students from the schools that Love Chevrolet hosted, along with the dealership representatives, Lauren & Jeremy

Winner of the brand new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze!