DENVER -
Chrysler announces it'll close 789 dealerships across the country, 13 of those in Colorado. And part of the real shock locally is that Chrysler says it was closing lower volume dealerships.
When in fact the top three dealerships in Colorado are among those being shutdown. We visited three dealerships today. And the owner of Northglenn Dodge says he's just trying to avoid laying off more than 100 longtime employees.
"We were shocked by the announcement today by Chrysler that effective June 9th, we will no longer be a Dodge dealership," said owner David Fitzgerald as he read a prepared statement, "Northglenn Dodge has been in business since 1992, serving this community for nearly 17 years."
Devastated and in shock. That's how employees at Colorado's newest dealership say they felt when they heard the news.
Workers at Burt Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Parker couldn't go on camera, but say they hope most will be moved to jobs at other Burt dealerships.
But the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association estimates 60 to 80 jobs on average will be lost at each of the 13 Colorado dealerships being eliminated.
"We will be here until June 9th proudly selling Dodges with full rebates, incentives and lifetime warranties," said Fitzgerald.
List of Colorado dealerships that will close:
Each dealership costs an average 12 million dollars in investments, not to mention inventories. Medved's two Chrysler dealerships are among the three top volumes Chrysler outlets in the state, all being eliminated.
Dealers feared once Chrysler declared bankruptcy it would start changing franchise contracts, something it couldn't have done otherwise.
The dealership association says this will have a huge impact on Colorado's economy, especially since they fear this is just the first shoe to drop.
"I will open one of the largest used car dealerships in the state," Fitzgerald said.
Dealers fear the newly formed company will actually start closing even more dealerships as it evolves from bankruptcy. One of those dealers told me he is stuck with more than six million dollars in brand new inventory that the company assured him would be safe, as it went through restructuring.
When in fact the top three dealerships in Colorado are among those being shutdown. We visited three dealerships today. And the owner of Northglenn Dodge says he's just trying to avoid laying off more than 100 longtime employees.
"We were shocked by the announcement today by Chrysler that effective June 9th, we will no longer be a Dodge dealership," said owner David Fitzgerald as he read a prepared statement, "Northglenn Dodge has been in business since 1992, serving this community for nearly 17 years."
Devastated and in shock. That's how employees at Colorado's newest dealership say they felt when they heard the news.
Workers at Burt Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Parker couldn't go on camera, but say they hope most will be moved to jobs at other Burt dealerships.
But the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association estimates 60 to 80 jobs on average will be lost at each of the 13 Colorado dealerships being eliminated.
"We will be here until June 9th proudly selling Dodges with full rebates, incentives and lifetime warranties," said Fitzgerald.
List of Colorado dealerships that will close:
- Big Valley Chrysler, La Junta
- Burt Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Parker
- Cook Jeep, Craig
- Ft. Morgan Auto Center, Fort Morgan
- Go Dodge Southwest, Littleton
- Hellman Motor Co., Delta
- King Auto Group, Longmont
- Lithia Jeep Chrysler, Colorado Springs
- Medved Chrysler, Jeep, Wheat Ridge
- New Country Chrysler, Durango
- Northglenn Dodge, Northglenn
- Phil Long Denver Jeep, Chrysler, west Denver
- Pollard Bros. Motors, Montrose
Each dealership costs an average 12 million dollars in investments, not to mention inventories. Medved's two Chrysler dealerships are among the three top volumes Chrysler outlets in the state, all being eliminated.
Dealers feared once Chrysler declared bankruptcy it would start changing franchise contracts, something it couldn't have done otherwise.
The dealership association says this will have a huge impact on Colorado's economy, especially since they fear this is just the first shoe to drop.
"I will open one of the largest used car dealerships in the state," Fitzgerald said.
Dealers fear the newly formed company will actually start closing even more dealerships as it evolves from bankruptcy. One of those dealers told me he is stuck with more than six million dollars in brand new inventory that the company assured him would be safe, as it went through restructuring.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
