4 Pee Dee dealers impacted by Chrysler bankruptcy motion
Posted: 05.14.2009 at 12:06 PM

(Updated: 4:00pm) All of the Pee Dee dealers say Chrysler's bankruptcy move will not shut them down.

Floyd Motor Company on S. Ron McNair Boulevard in Lake City, Meggs Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Highway 15-401 Bypass in Bennettsville, Mullins Motors on Highway 76 in Marion County, and Raceway Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Hartsville are all named on a list released by Chrysler Thursday, of dealerships they plan to close or stop franchise agreements with.

Meggs in Bennettsville tells us their dealership will not close, but they will lose their Chrysler franchise. Meggs also sells Ford cars and trucks.

Raceway Chrysler's GM tells us they won't close either. They have 7 other locations in the Pee Dee and will bring cars to the Hartsville location from the other locations. They will still sell pre-owned Chrysler cars.

Steve Hardy is the finance manager at Mullins Motors. He spoke to us Thursday on behalf of the General Manager and Assistant General Manager. He said even if Chrysler pulls their franchise, they'll still be in business because they carry and sell the GM line of cars.

Jody Boswell, GM of Floyd Motor Company says he will run his business as a used car dealership

Chrysler filed the motion to close the dealerships with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York on Thursday, citing low dealership sales. Plans to eliminate 789 of its 3,200 dealerships would close at least 14 stores in North Carolina and 11 in South Carolina.

The motion states just over 50 percent of its dealers account for about 90 percent of the company's U.S. sales. Dealers may appeal the proposal.

Chrysler has received $4 billion in federal loans and has been operating under bankruptcy protection since April 30. Its sales this year are down 46 percent compared with the first four months of last year.

Chrysler reported a nearly $17 billion net loss for 2008.

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