Two South Plains Dealerships Affected by Chrysler Cuts
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: May 14, 2009
The auto industry takes yet another hit with an announcement by Chrysler that it will be shutting down 789 of it's dealerships nationwide. Two of those are right here in the South Plains.
Chrysler announced today it will be eliminating a quarter of it's dealerships by June 9th. Fortunately, none of those closures are here in Lubbock. Unfortunately, two South Plains dealerships made the list.
Chrysler sent letters out this morning to the businesses they plan to cut ties with. On the list, Brownfield's Stanley Motorplex Chrysler Jeep and Denver City's Bobby Trent Motorplex.
Chrysler officials say those are just two of the 789 dealerships nationwide that aren't doing enough in sales. It's estimated around 38,000 employees will lose their jobs.
We tried speaking with folks from Bobby Trent in Denver City, they say they haven't received official word yet so they have no comment.
Management at Stanley in Brownfield tell us they actually operate several dealerships together -- not just Chrysler -- so they're not quite sure how it's going to affect them.
Area dealerships that weren't even affected are still concerned because it affects so many in our community.
Annette Sykora, Smith South Plains Ford: "Keep in mind these are private businesses, and individuals. So it's not like they're getting a severance package, or early retirement, any kind of a safety net. They're just losing their job. We've got to appreciate our local businesses, we've got to stick together and do business together, and make west texas strong."
Each dealer can appeal Chrysler's cuts. No word yet though, on whether the dealers in Brownfield and Denver City will be doing that.
