Chrysler Looks to Open 140 Dealerships

Chrysler is now seeking to sell Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles from 140 new locations throughout the U.S., and it’s approaching some of the 789 dealers whose contracts it terminated two months ago in order to do so.

Perhaps feeling stung by the abrupt contract cancellations that happened with Chrysler’s controlled plunge into bankruptcy, dealers have been understandably reluctant to hop back on board. A Chrysler spokesman told the Detroit Free Press that only two terminated dealers have applied for the new contracts.

Chrysler said it could take as long as two years to reopen all the dealerships, and that it must take location into account; it might need to open new sites in locations with greater traffic. Dealers will not be able to sell anything other than Chrysler-brand cars and trucks.

Potential dealers must also have “sufficient capitalization,” although Chrysler did not specify how much capital that might be.

Chrysler Plans New Dealerships (Detroit Free Press)