SUGAR LAND, Texas -- There are new signs posted and major activity at a car lot that has sat vacant for five months.

Bill Heard Chevrolet, the subject of several Local 2 investigations, closed its doors last year. Now some of you are asking Amy about the new activity at the dealership. KPRC Local 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis met with the new owner to bring you new information.

We haven't heard much good news in the auto industry lately. There’s a lot of talk about bailouts and bankruptcies.

So imagine not only starting a Chevrolet dealership in this economy, but starting it the same spot where a former dealer earned quite a reputation for shady dealings.

"Mr. Big Volume" isn't so big any more.

Bill Heard Chevrolet filed bankruptcy last year and closed its doors. Five months later, Classic Chevrolet purchased this Sugar Land lot and most of the cars left here.

"We wanted everybody to know that the (Bill Heard) sign was coming down and that we were here," Classic Chevrolet General Manager Don Kerstetter said.

Taking down the huge sign out front is not only a show of good will to Sugar Land, who only passed a sign ordinance after Bill Heard erected it, it's also to signal a change and to change perceptions.

"It's interesting to us that you could retain customers and an entire customer base for a period of years and have issues with how you treat people," said Kerstetter.

He is referring to the 911 calls Local 2 Investigates uncovered two years ago.

Bill Heard's own customers called 911 from the lot when they said salesmen held them and their vehicles hostage.

It's one of the reasons Kerstetter said he's removing the guard shacks and gates at the entrances and exits of the dealership.

"We're gonna do business the way that people deserve. Our motto is 'relax and enjoy the difference'" Kerstetter said. "I think once people give us a chance, they'll see that."

We called him on that, and checked Better Business Bureau complaints against Classic Chevrolet's other Texas locations. We found five complaints in the last three years. Compare that to the 189 complaints against Bill Heard when we checked in 2007.

The area will see more job opportunities, too. Classic Chevrolet has already hired 50 employees. It hopes to eventually employ 250.

As for Bill Heard’s bankruptcy case, it is far from over. We spoke with a Rosenberg man who is still paying two truck notes every month -- one on his trade-in that Bill Heard never paid off and his new truck payment.

An attorney with several suits against Bill Heard told us the companies debts far outweigh its assets. That means when creditors are paid in bankruptcy court, there won’t likely be any money left for the consumers who got raw deals.