Story Published:
May 14, 2009 at 10:11 AM CST
Story Updated:
May 14, 2009 at 11:25 PM CST
SPRINGFIELD -- Chrysler told a bankruptcy court in New York City that it plans to eliminate 789 of its dealers, including those in Harrison, Ark., Springdale, Ark., Bolivar, Mo., St. Robert, Mo., Neosho, Mo., Ozark, Mo., Ava, Mo., and Camdenton, Mo. An exhibit filed Thursday in its bankruptcy court case names the dealerships.
The dealerships in the KY3 area include Jones Brothers Auto in Harrison, Jim Bryant Motors in Springdale, Steve Smith Country in Springdale, Jim Rush in Bolivar, Mid-Missouri Motors in St. Robert, Neosho Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep in Neosho, Heritage Chrysler-Jeep and Ozark Dodge in Ozark, Davis Chrysler in Ava, and Ron Hulett Automotive in Camdenton.
To read the list filed in bankruptcy court, click here.
Jim Rush didn't know anything about the list and said he wished Chrysler had notified the affected dealers before it made the list public. A spokesman at Ozark Dodge said no one there would have any comment. Heritage Chrysler-Jeep has the same co-owners as Ozark Dodge -- Don Burk and the Church family.
The issue of whether they would be able to continue in business has been on the minds of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers since the parent company announced bankruptcy.
“Nobody knew until today; it’s always a concern because there wasn't any set criteria of how they'll pick this,"
Rush has been selling cars since 1955. He says it's Chrysler that filed for bankruptcy, not him. He says, if money can fix it, then it isn’t a problem. Rush plans to sell used cars.
“It’s tough to see anybody go down, especially those in business for years,” said Bill Perkin, a spokesman for Central Dodge in Springfield.
If there is a silver lining to this unprecedented move, it'd be found in the dealers that are saved from the chopping block. Along with the obvious -- customers coming to Central Dodge from Ozark and Bolivar for a Dodge -- this facility can also help fulfill the dealer warranties.
“Last year, they introduced the lifetime warranty. If you bought that, 'What is lifetime?' in some ways it’s a little reassurance that they're going to be here get that done,” said Perkin.
The terminated franchises will be open until June 9. Then they're stuck with the merchandise, parts and tools that Chrysler can’t buy back. Chrysler says it'll help the closing franchises find a dealer to sell it’s cars to.
The dealers likely will have a right to appeal to get off the list. The move could have a devastating impact on cities across the United States, costing jobs and tax revenue.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
