Augusta Tech Transforms Old Car Shop Into Automotive Institute

What better way for a student to get hands-on experience in the automotive world, than by having class in a former auto shop?

Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, formerly known as Johnson Motor Company, will now operate as a stimulation of a fully functional automotive dealership for the students at Augusta Technical College.

The new facility is projected to be ready for students by the fall of 2025. It will be about 65,000 square feet.

Students will then be able to get that hands-on educational experience with projects such as electric vehicle work. Electric vehicles are a part of everyday society now, so this is an important set of skills to also know. Also, as cars become smarter, Augusta Tech students will already be ahead of it.

Jim Hudson says this initiative is key, as he has seen the automotive industry grow and change over the years. Good technicians can be hard to come across, but this program will help eliminate that shortage.

Augusta Tech has been working hard over the past few years to become a destination school and this has been one of the initiatives to come about, along with the Patch, the nursing building, the advanced manufacturing building, and an entrepreneurship program.

The program won't just focus on hands-on work in mechanics but also learn about the sales and business side of things.

This isn't just a plus for the students, but for the community as well! Community members will be able to get their cars serviced in the service bays on things like light repairs.

If you are local to the midlands of South Carolina and Augusta, GA, you may be familiar with the Jim Hudson Automotive group. They has been around since the 1980’s representing and selling various car brands such as Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, Ford, GMC, Lexus, and Toyota. There are currently 10 Jim Hudson car dealership locations around the CSRA.

Funds from Augusta National and the Knox Foundation also contributed to this project.

We found out this morning that Augusta drivers have some weird stuff in their cars. Check out this list of some of the weirdest stuff. The way that we got on the topic was my wife's car. You never know what you're going to find in there. Water bottles, coffee cups, clothes, baby toys, who knows what you'll find.

For some reason I have three pairs of sunglasses in my truck right now, and I'm not sure why. However, that pales in comparison to some of the things that y'all had in your cars this morning. The question we asked was, whats the weirdest thing in your car right now? As always, y'all didn't disappoint with your calls and Facebook comments.

Some of the things we heard were a green toilet seat and a panini press. It didn't end there though, we also heard that one person had a fishing pole in their car. Another weird thing someone had in their car this morning is a folding shovel and a folding potty. I have so many questions.

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We learned this morning that Augusta drivers have some weird stuff in their cars. These were some of our favorites.

Jessica said it was her dad's and she keeps it in every car she drives. Jessica said her dad is her guardian angel and she keeps the rattle to remind her of him.

Thankfully Erin works in the medical field, so that doesn't make it super strange. However, if she didn't work in the medical field that would make it a lot weirder.

Kelly is a hair stylist so that makes sense. If she wasn't then I'd have some questions.

Amanda sent us this one. I guess she's just always ready to party. If a situation presents itself to play corn hole, Amanda is ready!

Tess is a substitute teacher, and brings her own coffee maker with her everywhere. At least she'll always be well caffeinated.

CJ keeps a crock pot with him all the time. He said sometimes he cooks his lunch in it at work. I guess it beats warming stuff up in the microwave.

Wendy sent this one in. I have questions. Why is the caricature with you? Why isn't it with your dad?

This one came from Marcy. I guess you never know when that random corn cob might come into your life. When it does Marcy is going to have something to hold it with.

Brianna sent us this one, and I think it takes the cake. Is its human jawbone or an animal jawbone? Why'd you pick it up? Why'd you take it with you? Just so many whys!