Many of the Ron Tonkin’s 21 dealerships have sold to a Spokane-based company, but not the automotive business in The Dalles, or several others. “Nothing is going to change locally,” said Steve Ross, general manager of the West Sixth Street business.

Since buying the former Bob Stone Subaru auto dealership in December of 2014, new owner Tonkin Auto Group has become known as the place to go in The Dalles to purchase one of the popular Subarus. And while the focus on sales of Subarus will remain just as strong going forward, the growing auto dealership is about to turn a spotlight in a fresh direction.