GM, Chrysler News: Dealerships closing list
Filed under: Autos | By: Peter Chubb
Posted on: May 15, 2009 | 32 Comments
General Motors (GM) and Chrysler LLC have now issued their closing list of dealerships, and will total 3,200. General Motors spokesman, Tom Wilkinson said that these dealerships will be notified, and that no list would be made public.
The Frederick News Post Online said that GM is planning to consolidate 2,400 dealerships nationwide. Spokeswoman for Chrysler, Kathy Graham has said that they plan to cut 789 dealers, which works out to be 25 percent of its retails sites. A few of those have now been made public, such as Don Phillips Jeep and Fitzgerald Auto Mall.
Phillips has said that the closing of these dealerships will eventually create a drop in revenue for the economy. Phillips also added that Chrysler does not have the power to close these dealerships, which is something that the bankruptcy court will have to look in to.
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So where are the lists? I use two GM dealerships…one in Florida and one in Michigan I am planning my trip north and don’t want to get car serviced in Florida at a dealership that is closing (disgruntled employees) and am waiting to make my appointment for next week. Also I need to know where I will be able to get service in the north. Just want GM (Obamamotors) to know I think this STINKS!
Cathy, Don’t blame Obama this was a long time coming blame the lack of open mindness that went in to the design of the cars built here, blame the CEO’s, designers, engineers, unions and plain old American greed, I can’t believe that KIA offers better warranties than the Big 3, Everyone in this country is to blame I own 4 autos all American made. Maybe the US auto industry should have gotten on board with higher fuel standards earlier and they also could have kept up their body styles also. They all forgot to imagine.
dont forget the damn uaw ,with thier greed and coruption
they have helped in a big way to put the american
automobile out of business
It’s a shame that you think that just because someone is losing their job that they will take it out on you and do something bad to your car. Sounds like all you care about is how this affects you (oh where oh where will I get my car serviced) and not that all these people will now be out of work.
I just think if someone just lost their job –their mind might not be on their work (I should have worded it better)…..I don’t see Ford closing dealerships — Everything Obama touches seems to fail! God help us if he succeds in taking over healthcare!
I think if GM cared about it’s employees and customers they would have had the list out….I am certain they had one to close the dealerships! Poor business practices brought to you by the U.S. government!
Is it just me or has everyone forgot this all started long before Obama became president. Also if it wasn’t for the government pumping money into Chrysler and GM this all would have taken place months ago. On top of it all GM is not renew contracts with dealerships so they will be open til there contract expires. Chrysler filed for bankruptcy so they are able to break there contracts and leave their dealerships high and dry with on financial reimbursement.
This is the response I received from GM this morning after contacting them asking for a list….as a valued customer of over 35 years…obviously they don’t care about letting the customer know which dealerships will not be “renewed”. Why would I buy a new GM when I don’t know if I will have a convient dealership for service?
Dear Miss xxxxxx,
Thank you for contacting General Motors. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us regarding your concern about closing dealerships.
We are not releasing the names of any dealers. As independently owned businesses, dealer owners will make their own decisions if and when they want to make this information public. Moreso, we are not terminating any dealerships today. We are letting dealers know now in the spirit of open communication, so they are advised well in advance, about our long-term plans and their role in them.
We will personally notify customers of any changes that affect them, and regardless of the brand vehicle they own today, we will honor all warranties, and direct customers to new dealership locations.
We hope you find this information useful. If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our General Motors Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Again, thank you for contacting General Motors.
Sincerely,
The General Motors Consumer Support Team
btw…for those who say don’t blame Obama — why is it that everything he and his adminstration touch turns to c r a p?
Ah Come on Cathy, Obamas only been in office just over 4 months and you blame this on him, please give me a break as I said earlier this auto mess has been along time coming, our auto makers didn’t learn anything from the 70’s oil embargo and the long fuel lines and neither did our government. I retired after 20 years in the Marine Corps in 2007 and I can tell you that our relations overseas and the way our troops were treated was messed up before Obama got elected, Just give him sometime. Things will get better have faith. Also I just bought a new Jeep this weekend, just trying to do my part. GOD BLESS AMERICA and American Products. Remember the old slogan from the 80’s (Be American, buy American, and save American jobs).
Isn’t it funny that the things Obama “takes over” go to s h i t….he is micro managing us into a depression. Not only that but with the inflation and massive spending coming in the future he is speading our children and grandchildrens future also. His cap and trade, card check, new emmission standards are going to hit everyone…when they can least afford it. The only thing that isn’t going up is employment…and won’t as long as his regressive tax increases continue. If you think he is so wonderful then I would suggest you go buy some GM stock tomorrow!
Give him some time? To what? Turn us into a third world nation…no thanks.
I agree that many americans are loosing their jobs due to Chrysler and GM and their foolish use or waste of money but I would also like to remind you that it is not only americans it is also a lot of canadians wrapped up in this mess too
There has been a lot of heartache with the plant closing, especially the ones in the state of Michigan that were hit pretty hard. But with the news about dealerships remaining open and expanding…there is still hope. Awesome article about this matter @ http://bit.ly/ENRX1
I don’t think anyone knows yet!.. Thats why every search engine hit for GM closing list has nothing on it. Just a way to get you to look at what they are advertising on the page. Scam!
Um, lady, do you think Obama had anything to do with the reason GM is having to close 1000 dealerships? If you do, may I suggest you start reading-up on the history of how GM got to this predicement.
YES
gm brought this on themselves. They had an electric car and made it go away. Now they act like it would take billions to make one. Maybe they need to pay their top people a little more?
I certainly understand Cathie’ anger with Obama forcing these places to close. But on the other hand the Big 3 are faced with many forces putting them in the current position.
Union costs which I’m sure is upsetting to the democrats who support union becuase their leader is coming out for their livelyhood. These companies having to pay huges amounts of cash to satisfy union agreements is one thing. Then you have wages for managers, engineering aspects and cost of production of vehicles and then the dealerships. Granted the dealerships are a private owned deal but warrantees and other costs are paid by Corporate. The cars themselves are paid for by the dealerships but then they have to pay taxes and other expenses. Who pays the mechanics? Is that by the dealership or does corporate pay them. I haven’t thoroughly researched all of these, just going with what seems to be a logical approach. So with all of the overhead costs, the actual production run built cars just as cheaply as they could…mainly back in the 70’s and 80’s. As Japanese vehicles cut into profit margins and showed us how to make a reliable vehicle, more people moved to imports. Now that the Big 3 are building better vehicles the die is still cast on who buys what and many people only trust their cash to Japanese vehicles. Hard to win someone back when they’ve been burnt before. But those who want or need a powerful vehicle and turned to American cars we’re then faced with higher fuel costs. What we wanted in performance, the Big 3 built. Now that gas is higher (past tense at this time) everyone wants fuel economy. While the mindset on cars shifted rapidly, designing and producing those vehicles was not something Detroit could accomplish overnight. There are those who still enjoy the Challengers, Chargers, GTO,Camaros,G-8, Vipers, Vette’s and big pickups (myself definately in that catagory) but the rest of the buying public wants a reliable fuel efficient ride. So I have to agree with an earlier listing, we are all at fault in this. We’re so in love with personal transportation that changes are difficult to keep up with. The Japanese manufacturer has a solid history in building fuel efficient cars and have built some great cars. But the big thing is that brings this all to a boil is our current recession/depression. Maybe Detroit will recover one day but I think our days of having hot-rods are numbered. I hope they can keep a few around as there are a few of us stubborn enough to want a fast car. Maybe not as a daily driver but for enjoyment. Just my long winded thoughts.
I guess I will have to trade in mt 2 GM cars and buy honda or toyata, it looks like they care about the small town people
I’ll keep my 96 Corolla (well the Misses drives it) but use the 06 GTO for pleasure. But since I work overseas then I only drive it a couple days out of the year. I have to say that since it’s a Holden product and built like a tank, it’s one of the very few GM’s I’d buy. I do enjoy the Duramax as well and my dually is an awesome ride. Undecided about the new Camaro. While I like the Camaro, not sure if I’d sell my Goat to get one. Exterior is cool but not into the interior. I think Holden should have built it to their standards but then that wouldn’t help our workers any and then it’d still be an import.
wow, all i can think about is how rediculous you people are putting all of this. look!. less dealers= higher profits for the dealers left. also, this is going to cut out on the interbrand competition. and as for jerry’s comment. guess what? i worked for kia. they are garbage cars. they are cheap and expendable. you blow it up and “son of a gun” you gotta go buy another one. 10/10 warranties (10 year, 100,000 miles) are warranties that are used across the board. you wonder why the rest of the world think we are arrogant and ignorant americans. we would rather buy cars from foreign companies like kia and honda, because ” they get good gas mileage” but in fact, if you look at the FACTS (not your idea of what the facts should be) you will see that each vehicle GM makes has consistantly higher gas mileage that any honda, toyota,or kia out there. and i know the argument is gonna be….. ” well at least honda and toyota employ thousands of people in this country” guess what????? they employ those people in this country to build parts! and the build pieces of their final assemblies. and guess what else? they (honda, toyota,kia,hyundai) they take HUGE tax credits for having to employ our people here. then they make the money off of you buying the car. BUY AMERICAN. look at the window sticker on any General Motors product, or even Ford Product for that matter, at least 75% of those car’s are built in the united states, and appx. 90% is built in North America. America had faith in you when you wanted to ” have a dream” and go to college and buy things with mommy and daddies credit cards, America let you “Be all that you can be” . and the last time i checked, it was america who let your parents and grandparents and great grandparents come to this country in attempts of tryin to start a new life. but, when it comes time for you to give back to the very nation that sustained YOUR FREEDOM, AND YOUR RIGHTS,… you spit in their eyes. If i was a world war 1 verteran i would have committed suicide by now at the sound of you treasonous people. it has been said that Emporer Nero played a fiddle as rome burned, and D**** i’m gonna buy a fiddle. you arrogant little crybaby psuedo americans. america for me , america for me. but god forbid Me for america. support your home, or you’ll be the first to go when world war three comes around.
Allen, Maybe KIA is a garbage car I don’t know but I do that a freind of mine has had his since 1991, as for the fuel mileage the foreign cars have smaller tanks in general than US built cars do and still get better gas miles. As for your comment on Americans whinning I agree in some aspects, but I served this country for over 20 years in the Marines, and continue to do so thru veterans groups. Also my parents gave me love and guidance and the sense personnel responsability, they never gave me a car or credit cards, and I taught my kids to earn what they want, because nothing good comes easy or free.
Too bad your parents did not teach you how to spell.
I was a highly ranked manager at a 4 brand dealership group (Chevy/GMC/Pontiac/Toyota).
To answer an earlier commenter–mechanics at dealership’s, salespeople, everyone at every dealership (100,000 people who will be out of work when 1100 GM dealerships are closed) are paid BY THE DEALERSHIP. Some get specific bonuses at times from “corporate”, but that is peanuts, generally.
GM is essentially cutting 100,000 “private contractors” to save the asses of 40,000 UAW employees (they currently have 61,000, but are firing 21,000 in coming months).
Those 100,000 are largely employed in smaller communities which will be hit hard by the loss of tax revenues, incomes, and eventual unemployment costs.
Good job Obama and Crew. You people are undercutting our country.
GM is Killing Their Head (their retail network) and soon enough, Their Body (The United Autoworkers) Will Die.
While the American Public may one day forgive Chrysler/GM government bailouts and may even again return to buying their next generation of “green” vehicles, the 100,000 employees (not to mention 1100 wealthy ownership groups who are going to take a massive bloodbath) will NEVER forgive them, and, in fact, will probably go to the greatest length possible to exact revenge.
I look forward to it. I HATE the union and anything that can be done to ruin these people, I sit back and LAUGH AND LAUGH.
I left the Auto Industry in 2006 because I saw this coming down the pike. Why should I put my future on the line for THE UAW? Screw those scumbags. My dream is finally coming true.
mB
Thank you for clearing up the answer on mechanics. I had my run in with the Union for 3 years. Worked for a company and the union required joining their ranks for employment. During that time I found that senior people only cared about themselves and what they could get for their own gain. As the “new kid on the block” they refused to cover any weekend calls and made sure they got the best time off for holidays so Christmas, Thanksgiving and any other national holiday was already taken before I even got there. When questioned how that was fair to anyone else the reply was too bad, I’m taking care of myself. After serving in the USN for 20 years that crap wasn’t gonna fly with me. When I got the call to come overseas then I left with no regrets. Well I did like traveling my territory since I’m locked down except for vacation time but hey mayb now I can find a house. Bla bla bla.
What ticks me off is how ODRAMA and crew could force a private company to fire their CEO even with bailout funds from us. It’s his party that supports the unions and now that they have bled the company to death GM has to pay agin by going belly up. What a bunch of crap. I think Rick Wagoner did a good job with GM. Not sure what the new guy will do but it appears that he’s the closing guy. I’m sure he would prefer a different approach but what other recourse does he have. Maybe with reconstruction they can dump the overhead. I guess I should look at this realistically and sell my small amount of shares I have and recoupe what I can. In my dream state I hope they can pull something off.
How can Obama do what he did? Force out Wagonner and bring in his own cronnie? Simple, its call Facism. It’s going to get worse with the take over of other things. Ford will be down the road. SHould GM and Chrysler start to change things around, Ford, not taking any money, won’t be in a position to complete, so he will invade there too. Mark my words.
The silver lining in all of this though? The UAW running things, much like the Democrats are running things in Washington, they will fail. They will fail miserably and when they do, that will be the end of them. Hopefully, that will be the end of ALL trade unions, not just the UAW.
Enjoy the Holiday Weekend
Rob Weiss
oh my god I am hoping the same thing I hope and pray they are all taken to the ground at this point i’m laughing and praying hard and glad to see obama takng over
Good luck with that Gina. I’m hoping and praying that Obama is impeached for trying to subvert America and put in prison, then I’ll be laughing. But that’s just my right wing hatred of Obama and all thing to the left. The only thing I see Obama doing is renaming the same policies that have been in place for a long time. It’s still all about the “look at me” crap instead of what is really good for America. Thought I would drop my attitude after this period of time but I see that I’m even more energized about getting things corrected. Like trash the car companies but make sure the unions are still in effect. Just how damn stupid is that. Good job Obama and admin.
go to your holy roller church and pray for all the hate you carry,go buy your non American car–but it is us the Democrats that have the power now buddy–get a life and get used to it—sorry–but you can pray for the bad to happen–that is so right
Gina…you could have just moved to Venezuala and been happy …. Chavaz has been taking things over for years now and look how well that is turning out….OH you don’t hear about it on the MSM? Maybe you need to do some reading to find out what a mess we are in right now and heading DOWN!
Wayne gets it, to bad you don’t.
I think you may be “praying” to the wrong entity.
BTW if/when (MONDAY) GM goes into bankruptcy DEMAND THE LIST…they said that they didn’t have to provide one because they weren’t in bankruptcy when I contacted them! Go to the GM website it takes a little digging but you can email them from there!
I am right now working for a dealership that got a termination letter. Our dealership is located in a small town and has been in business for 60 years. Dealerships do not cost GM anything! We buy all of our cars, brochures, tools, pay for training, pay for our computer system, pay our employees and even paid rent on a stupid sign for 35 years! Dealerships are customers of GM. It is a painful thing to close a family owned and operated store. No need to worry about how customers will be treated. They are still our friends and family coming to our service department and our showroom to buy what little we have left to sell. This is a colaberation between Obama, his car-czar, and GM. Rick Waggoner would have never gone along with this. That is why he was replaced with Fritz who is just a puppet for time being. The “letter” GM sent to dealers was a gun-to-the-head tactic. It said you have a week to sign and return this letter, if you sign and return, you will be required to stay in business until at least 1-1-2010, but with no new inventory or parts. If you don’t sign the letter you will automatically be thrown into bancruptcy and your contract disolved imediately. Some choice huh? GM’s Mark Laneve has sugar coated this whole thing for the media saying that 95% of dealers are on board with the new plan. Like we had a choice of anything. NONE of the dealers are in support of the new plan, they don’t have a choice. And by the way, what did they do with Rick Waggoner? Why have we not heard from him since he got canned? Let’s see, are there any new stadiums being constructed in Detroit?
J
This site has started a list of gm dealers closing.
http://www.franksreviews.com