So, I see that Chrysler is closing some dealerships. According to our local rag, four dealerships here in central Louisiana are slated to close, including both in Alexandria, the closest town to Pineville, where I live. We've got a combined population of about 130,000 and we won't have a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership. The closest will be in Natchitoches, about 50 miles up the road.
So, the question becomes how does Chrysler intend to sell cars around here? And service the cars that have already been sold?
I understand that GM is going to cull some dealers. If they cull the dealers in Central Louisiana, the only game left will be Ford.
2 comments:
With Chrysler closing 800+ dealerships and GM closing another 1200, that's 2,000 Main Street businesses shutting down before the end of summer. If each dealership employs 40 people, and those 40 people's salaries support another 60 people in the communities, were talking maybe 200,000 people out of work.
How many UAW workers would lose their jobs if the two auto companies were allowed to cut the contracts? Probably none, because the workers who make (with perks) some $50-80/hour would stay on for half that rather than look for other work.
Don't get me wrong, I believe in unions, and while I was cop, belonged to one. The difference is, my union would never have taken the "company" down before cutting it's own salary to try to save the jobs and the community.
The UAW position is pure suicide, and a selfish one at that, akin to a suicide bomber in a crowded marketplace.
On a related note, wanna bet that all those unemployed dealership people will never show up in the jobless stats? I'll give odds.
Here in San Diego I heard one dealer on the evening news saying that Chrysler is not the only brand they sell and business will continue. They have two or three other brands in addition to used cars.
He said no one would be laid off.
Maybe the GM and Chrysler dealers should stock up on Fords.
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