Representatives from Nissan North America Inc., recently donated two vehicles to the auto technology program at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville.

Nissan/Infiniti representatives John Buskey, specialist in technical training products, service and technical training; Michael D. Wetherill, dealer technical specialist and Darrin Schlegel, trainer, delivered the second of two vehicles, a 2005 Infiniti QX56 valued at $16,554 recently to students in the auto technology program.

The first vehicle, a 2014 Nissan Versa valued at $9,300, was delivered to the auto technology program in July.

Buskey addressed the students in the auto technology program during his visit.

“One reason we like to donate cars is to up your little bit of expertise and knowledge,” Buskey said.

Buskey said Nissan has been donating cars to schools for 25 plus years.

Wetherill also spoke with The Press.

“The 2014 Nissan Versa and 2005 Infinity QX56 were two of the training vehicles that usually sat in the parking lot or were brought in for classes at Nissan in Somerset, N.J.,” Wetherill said. “If any car is brought back to Nissan that is safe, we try to donate it to a school.

“Any chance I can get a car donated to a school I will do it,” Wetherill said.

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute auto technology instructor Michael Bernadyn explained.

Bernadyn said each year students in the auto technology program compete in the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association competition.

“The winner from that competition goes to New York to compete in the national automotive competition held at the Javits Convention Center,” he said. “Since LCTI took first place this year at the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association, we went to New York to compete.”

“After we took eighth place in the national automotive competition, John Buskey contacted us and asked us if we wanted any cars, and we said yes,” Bernadyn said. “This is the first time in more than a decade that a foreign automaker has donated a vehicle to LCTI.”