A Dealer Reports on ChyrCo Channel Stuffing
The tipster writes:
Press and Landry spent three days going to their six business areas for dealer conferences. They said, “If all you dealers do not order your Feb and March allocation, Chrysler will liquidate.” How’s that for a pep talk sales pitch? Not only that, but they also said there’s a 50/50 chance they will liquidate even if we do order. So, according to Press and Landry, the only chance we have to save our dealership is to overload our stock. An Iowa dealer asked, “What if we can’t afford 40 new units because our bank won’t floor them?” Press answered, “Then we’ll liquidate.” So they are selling fear to their dealers. Go buy our shit NOW or you won’t have a dealership. The Fiat deal was just to be able to export Dodge trucks to Europe, that’s the nuts and bolts on that “merger of equals.” Chrysler’s suits also described the talks with GM: “We went on a date with Nissan, had sex, and they got some trucks we got some cars. Then it was 2AM, we were drunk and started talking romantically with our cousins at GM, we realized that our children would have crooked teeth.” God I love this business.
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And? Since most new car dealers LOSE money on new cars, does it not stand to reason that many don't....ahem...fear the reaper? Being a dealer of new Chryslers is probably as appealing as being a cut-rate septic tank cleaner. Since these dealers make more money off used cars, is it not true that a number of them would go it alone as independents? Since there are few single-OEM dealers, wouldn't many just shrug and continue to sell used cars and either GM's or Fords? (Example, our local Chryco dealer is also a VW/Volvo/Audi/Subaru/Hyundai dealer in the same building. Mr. Press's threat is likely to draw a yawn.....take back your Dogs...er...Chryslers. More room on the showroom floor for GTI's and A4's.) Eh? Cerberus....when you raise a gun toward someone's head, perhaps you should make sure it is LOADED and pointed in the right direction.....
Someone please save Jeep!