Chrysler restoration interests some Rochester-area auto dealers
Former Chrysler dealers in Brockport and Henrietta said Friday that they'd be interested in bringing back the brand if Congress and the bankrupt automaker reach a deal, though they said such a resolution was a long way off.
General Motors and Chrysler, trying to forestall federal legislation requiring them to restore dealerships closed as part of a historic restructuring, reportedly are considering reopening some as a compromise.
Local GM dealers survived the rash of closings, but Chrysler pulled its cars out of four local dealerships. Nationally, Chrysler closed 789 dealerships and GM did not renew 1,100 franchise agreements.
"This is all premature in my judgment, as nothing really has happened, but I'd be willing to talk about it," said Dennis Petrisak, owner of the former Marketplace Chrysler in Henrietta. The company still has a Suzuki franchise and sells used cars under the national Thrifty brand.
"I'm still going and might be able to sell those again. After all, I lost 25 percent of my business without just compensation," Petrisak said. "I know a group of dealers and the company have been talking about this, but it's a long way from happening."
David Vance, service manager at Barry's Auto Center in Brockport, whose Chrysler/Dodge franchise was pulled earlier this year, said the company, which now sells used vehicles, would be interested in talking about selling Chryslers again.
But he cautioned that there's been no deal to bring back any dealers.
"There are a lot of legal hurdles to bringing a closed franchise back," he said.
Randy Henderson, who sold Chryslers as part of his Webster operation, said Friday that he did not intend to sell them again if the possibility arose.
"We've aligned well with the really great Ford, Mercury and Lincoln products we currently sell," Henderson said.
He said his lawsuit against Chrysler for what he and other dealers say was an uncompensated severing of their franchise contracts is pending.
Source: Chrysler restoration interests some Rochester-area auto dealers
General Motors and Chrysler, trying to forestall federal legislation requiring them to restore dealerships closed as part of a historic restructuring, reportedly are considering reopening some as a compromise.
Local GM dealers survived the rash of closings, but Chrysler pulled its cars out of four local dealerships. Nationally, Chrysler closed 789 dealerships and GM did not renew 1,100 franchise agreements.
"This is all premature in my judgment, as nothing really has happened, but I'd be willing to talk about it," said Dennis Petrisak, owner of the former Marketplace Chrysler in Henrietta. The company still has a Suzuki franchise and sells used cars under the national Thrifty brand.
"I'm still going and might be able to sell those again. After all, I lost 25 percent of my business without just compensation," Petrisak said. "I know a group of dealers and the company have been talking about this, but it's a long way from happening."
David Vance, service manager at Barry's Auto Center in Brockport, whose Chrysler/Dodge franchise was pulled earlier this year, said the company, which now sells used vehicles, would be interested in talking about selling Chryslers again.
But he cautioned that there's been no deal to bring back any dealers.
"There are a lot of legal hurdles to bringing a closed franchise back," he said.
Randy Henderson, who sold Chryslers as part of his Webster operation, said Friday that he did not intend to sell them again if the possibility arose.
"We've aligned well with the really great Ford, Mercury and Lincoln products we currently sell," Henderson said.
He said his lawsuit against Chrysler for what he and other dealers say was an uncompensated severing of their franchise contracts is pending.
Source: Chrysler restoration interests some Rochester-area auto dealers
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