List of Dodge Dealers to be closed

[Martin]

Just saw the CBS piece; no appeal if you're on the list, that's it, you're out. Tomorrow will be Black Friday for around 1700 GM dealers.

I've heard from a number of sources that there is an appeal process - any dealer who has been cut can make a case to keep their franchise. It's clear that there were a bunch of dealerships that really shouldn't have been on that list, and someone just looked at a geographical region, saw too many dealerships too close to each other, and made a subjective call. Things like that happen all the time, so I would be absolutely shocked if they didn't have an appeal process in place to fix errors that someone made.

 

[bluequadcab]

I'm sorry for everyone affected, but will keep a watch on how it all pans out as there are always a lot of rumors and hope for the best for all the great Dodge/ Chrysler dealers and techs and their families.

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

my dad is a viper tech and has worked at the same dealer for 30 years and they told him today that they are closing up. So if anyone knows who's hireing PM me thanks

 

[DodgeViper01]

This is insaine. I can not believe loosing a dealership that you owned for years. This economy is truly unreal.

I just watched the news and they said that Chrysler is not buying back the vehicles on their lots either for these closing dealerships so they have to sell them to customers and if they do not sell to customers by early June then they will loose the right to sell to the public and they will have to sell them wholesale to other dealers.

 

[TMan]

We were also on the list....

Our family owned Chrysler Dealership since 1924 was among this list of dealers who also got cut. Our store is in Yakima Washington and my grandfather started the biz. It was a very, very sad day for my Dad who is 79 yrs old and still works 6 days a week at the store because he loves automotive world.

Since we were on the west coast, the first we heard our name was on the list was when we got a phone call from a large law firm in NY asking us if we want to be including in the legal preceedings! Then about 3 hrs later, we got the official letter that was sent out by Chrysler.

I stood next to my father during our company meeting informing all the employees. It was a meeting I will never forget.

It was an unbelievable day.

Cindi Lux

Our thoughts go out to you and your Family, Business is business as they say but it's more than a business when your family has built and owned it from the very beginning.

I don't own a Franchised dealership but I am in the automotive world myself, It's hard to watch what you worked all your life for slip away with little you can do about it. The world is changing, before long there will be less and less service needed and less and less places to perform it.

My wife and I built our family businesses to pass on to future generations. While I am sure our car sales division will continue on, we are definitely worried about the repair side of the business. Car are needing less and less service work. Pretty soon they will all be disposable.

 

[01sapphirebob]

Which dealership? I live near mentor and go to a local viper tech.

my dad is a viper tech and has worked at the same dealer for 30 years and they told him today that they are closing up. So if anyone knows who's hireing PM me thanks

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

It's Ganley Dodge in Wickliffe OH it useto be called Glavic Dodge

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Video from news12 05-14-09..

Click on 1st Dodge dealership in tri-state area to close

http://www.news12.com/index.jsp

 

[gen2lover]

PAY $5 TO WATCH SUBSCRIBE ETC.. Can someone Chuck himself or Baz-you tell us what is going on?

 

[Chrissss]

I've heard from a number of sources that there is an appeal process - any dealer who has been cut can make a case to keep their franchise. It's clear that there were a bunch of dealerships that really shouldn't have been on that list, and someone just looked at a geographical region, saw too many dealerships too close to each other, and made a subjective call. Things like that happen all the time, so I would be absolutely shocked if they didn't have an appeal process in place to fix errors that someone made.

The dodge dealership that is close to me has been there over 30 years. It is closing. I was speaking to the owner today and he stated that there is no appeal process. He said you can ask of course to be reconsidered but there is no formal appeal process.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

PAY $5 TO WATCH SUBSCRIBE ETC.. Can someone Chuck himself or Baz-you tell us what is going on?

Click on the link.....
Then click 1st Dodge dealership closing....

http://www.news12.com/index.jsp

 

[J&R3xV10]

four of six dealerships in Las Vegas will be closing leaving only one that is a Chrysler and Jeep dealer.

 

[adamlotus]

my dad is a viper tech and has worked at the same dealer for 30 years and they told him today that they are closing up. So if anyone knows who's hireing PM me thanks

very sorry to hear about your dad it seems like ohio got hit with the most chrysler dealerships closing.

 

[J&R3xV10]

Here is a break down by state

AL - 12
AK - 0
AZ - 5
AR - 8
CA - 32
CO - 12
CT - 7
DE - 3
FL - 35
GA - 13
HI - 1
ID - 3
IL - 44
IN - 21
IA - 22
KS - 16
KY - 9
LA - 17
ME - 4
MD - 17
MA - 12
MI - 40
MN - 19
MS - 6
MO - 27
MT - 4
NE - 8
NV - 5
NH - 6
NJ - 30
NM - 4
NY - 28
NC - 14
ND - 8
OH - 47
OK - 12
OR - 9
PA - 53
RI - 1
SC - 11
SD - 7
TN - 14
TX - 50
UT - 5
VT - 2
VA - 26
WA - 15
WV - 17
WI - 18
WY - 5

 

[CCBrian]

OK I am ignorant. How does closing down dealers you don't own/operate save money? Aren't they the ones who sell the product to the consumer. Less places for comsumers to buy a product doesn't make sense. This won't look good to consumers...just adds fuel to the fire. Someone explain please.

 

[tennis tom]

Nice job Obama and the UAW. The US auto industry is now going the way of the television industry--remember Zenith?--they were the last TV to be made in the US.

Glad I got my Viper and Jeep Wranglers before the only choices are Priuses and Smarts. These dealerships will probably not stand empty for long. When this redistribution of the wealth is over they may be dealerships for the "eco-cars" (formerly known as golfcarts) that will be built in India and China. Obama and the UAW have done a grand job of putting the final stake in the US auto manufacturing industry and creating a colony out the United States--we are the Indians!


I recognize many of those dealers from passing them and sometimes stopping in for oil changes on my cross-country trips. The closing of these dealerships will make my wanderings around the US less secure. I would sometimes stop in to check out the new Jeeps and go to the parts departments to talk cars with the counter guys. I would maybe purchase a small bottle of zipper lube for my Jeep's soft-tops or a hat. I was never one to label dealerships as "stealerships" as I often see on the car boards. Some are operated better than others but they are for the most part populated by car-people. They have the new toys on display we dream of as well as the parts we may rarely need these days and the techs with the knowledge to repair when we are stuck.

I have had meaningful chats with car guys at Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep dealerships from Brookings Oregon to Naples, Florida and from Mount Shasta to Atascadero and Manteca, Ca. This was after I had told them that I was just passing through and not going to be buying anything. In the end I took their cards and considered them for potential dealers to purchase from or oasiis in case I needed an oil change or be towed to if I should have a break-down.

I had my first close up look at a Viper at John Irish in San Rafael while I was ordering a new Jeep. I recall thinking that's a lot of car for the money and the Viper seed was put in my head. I had lunch with their GM and became friends. I was saddened to see them close their doors several years ago when I was hoping to buy a new 4-door Wrangler from them. John Irish closed because the socialist politicans wouldn't let him break ground on the larger dealership he to build and due to family courts of Marin County after years of a messy divorce battle. I would have probably purchased my Viper from him and had it serviced there. In the end my new Jeep and Viper were brokered from Arizona. Thankfully they are both bullet-proof and I won't need help as the nearest dealers are now very far-off and inconveniently located (if they are still here). But the Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Honda and Toyota dealers are still open and thriving here in southern Marin.

We have witnessed one of the greatest redistributions of wealth probably in the history of the planet outside of all out war and taking by gunpoint. With the demise of our auto manufacturing industry this nation is much less secure if we ever need to defend ourselves from aggressors or help our "allies" when they go at it again.

A very sad day for the US and the many jobs that will be lost. Should be good for the printers of the Haynes Manuals and independent repair shops though.

 

[J&R3xV10]

Not that I agree with Chrysler's decision to close these dealerships I could theorize several reasons they may be considering to close dealerships.

1. Advertising budget goes to each dealership.
2. Less dealerships means less overstock on unsold MY assuming lower dealer purchased stock
3. Stronger surviving dealers
4. It was said on the news that 82% of sales were from the remaining dealerships.(not sure where that number comes from)
5. Closing approximately 25% of the dealerships nationwide shouldn't impact sales in any noticeable way.
6. This is not an attempt to "save" the company, rather just a restructuring in bankruptcy.

Not that any of these are good reasons but they may have more impact than we are aware. Just playing devils advocate here.

 

[mike & juli]

We were also on the list....
Our family owned Chrysler Dealership since 1924 was among this list of dealers who also got cut. Our store is in Yakima Washington and my grandfather started the biz. It was a very, very sad day for my Dad who is 79 yrs old and still works 6 days a week at the store because he loves automotive world.
Since we were on the west coast, the first we heard our name was on the list was when we got a phone call from a large law firm in NY asking us if we want to be including in the legal preceedings! Then about 3 hrs later, we got the official letter that was sent out by Chrysler.
I stood next to my father during our company meeting informing all the employees. It was a meeting I will never forget.
It was an unbelievable day.
Cindi Lux

So very sorry, Cindi to you and your family. We wish you (as Chuck & Tom and all the others too) all the best. ~juli

 

[01sapphirebob]

So sorry to hear that! I took my viper to that dealership for service. Befor I even had a viper people would tell me about the viper tech there. I wounder if spitzer in mayfield has a Viper/srt tech?

It's Ganley Dodge in Wickliffe OH it useto be called Glavic Dodge

 

[dave6666]

four of six dealerships in Las Vegas will be closing leaving only one that is a Chrysler and Jeep dealer.

Oh boy! Won't be able to use this line any more... "Hey, I'll just go across the street and see if THEY'LL give me a better price!"

Yup, nothing like a lack of competition to inflate prices.

 

[Cindi Lux]

I just watched the news and they said that Chrysler is not buying back the vehicles on their lots either for these closing dealerships so they have to sell them to customers and if they do not sell to customers by early June then they will loose the right to sell to the public and they will have to sell them wholesale to other dealers.

You are 100% correct. We have until June 9th to sell any remaining new car inventory and Mopar parts. After this date, we will be required to wholesale this inventory to other Chrysler remaining dealers...for pennies.

Still in the state of shock but we will pick up the pieces and survive. We also have the BMW and MB franchises as well.

Its just rather sad after so many years. However, life will go on.

Cindi

 

[ACR steve]

Its amazing our sh ty dealership with the worst reputation is staying open while dealers like Tators an Lux are forced to close .Just another example of a bad take over policy that will end up biting Fiat in the butt.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Well this *****!


My appoligies go out to all of you that are loosing your stores.

Robert

 

[99 R/T 10]

There will be an untended consequence to all these closings. Now when you try to get your car serviced, the wait will be unbelievably longer and possibly might have to wait days instead of hours. Whoever is making these decisions, they might want to consider keeping open a majority of the dealerships as service/parts centers, Especially
TATOR'S DODGE!!!!

It will help alleviate the backlog and keep a portion of the service people off the unemployment rolls.

 

[Yellow32]

You might consider that franchise agreements are being cancelled as a "test of the waters" to see how it "goes". As Fiat (Chrysler's "new owner") will want to see what they can get away with.

Another way to consider this is Chrysler is going under anyway (everything but the trucks+jeeps will likely be cancelled in the next 2 years) there won't be that much product to sell. Fiat will take years to get their cars ready for the US market, in the meantime there will not be anything to sell. Remember, even though Fiat currently has several car models, none are certified for the USA, that takes time (DOT and EPA processes to be performed).

Fiat doesn't really care about maintaining a dealer network that is beyond its needs (look at Toyota's dealer network - about 1200 for the USA). So look for the closings to continue, may not be for a year but more will come.

 

[Coloviper]

Sorry to those on the list including local Parker Dodge Jeep. There goes my local Viper service bay. Looks like it will drive everyone to Ford. It will be the only one with a dealer rural. At least one American manufacturer did not get in bed with the devil with a bailout.

No new cars or trucks for me for awhile.

 

[ViperTony]

I understand this comes down to sales figures but with a company like Fiat that doesn't have monster-sized showrooms, prides itself on heritage and customer service I think they'd want to showcase Tator's Dodge....not eliminate it.

 

[Chrissss]

Not that I agree with Chrysler's decision to close these dealerships I could theorize several reasons they may be considering to close dealerships.

1. Advertising budget goes to each dealership.
2. Less dealerships means less overstock on unsold MY assuming lower dealer purchased stock
3. Stronger surviving dealers
4. It was said on the news that 82% of sales were from the remaining dealerships.(not sure where that number comes from)
5. Closing approximately 25% of the dealerships nationwide shouldn't impact sales in any noticeable way.
6. This is not an attempt to "save" the company, rather just a restructuring in bankruptcy.

Not that any of these are good reasons but they may have more impact than we are aware. Just playing devils advocate here.

If like other type franchises, the franchise itself contributes to the advertising budget. Corporate does have a national advertising budget but it does not contribute to individual franchises, just the other way around.

I'm sure overstock is not really a problem.

GM announced it's big dealership closing. When asked why close dealerships that aren't owned by GM, they gave the answer I am sure Chrysler has in mind.

"While GM doesn't own the dealers, its network is too big, causing dealers to compete with each other and giving shoppers too much leverage to talk down prices and hurt the company's future sales."

While it would seem the more dealerships the better to get your product out, the mindset is to have fewer, much bigger dealerships, geographically further apart.

Hence, more product in one dealership and less likely you will get a good deal or run off to another dealer to beat that deal.

 

[bluequadcab]

Click on the link.....
Then click 1st Dodge dealership closing....

http://www.news12.com/index.jsp

Baz, unless you already have TV service with one of the four cable companies listed, when you go to the link you have to prove you're a customer and give them your account number, or you have to purchase a subscription. There is nothing to click on when you get to the link page, just the if you don't already have an account stuff. I wish we could see it. Will see you and Chuck tomorrow. I really feel bad for everyone, it's terrible news. We're all behind Chuck and want to see his place stay the same and continue as it has for generations.

 

[bluequadcab]

Time to take out my Save Tators Dodge shirt!