Why Were Missouri Chrysler Dealers Closed?

A story swirling around the blogosphere is the question of why certain Chrysler dealerships were closed and others kept open.  Following research by Doug Ross, followed by Gateway Pundit, and with a crowd sourcing initiative by Reboot Congress, we have the potential to determine whether or not political considerations were used to shut down auto dealerships.  The project is in its early stages, so it's a mistake to jump to conclusions, but we won't know until the work is done.

This is no small matter.  If the Auto Czar and the Obama administration are using the Chrysler bankruptcy to reward unions and punish their enemies, the political consequences would be staggering.  The explanation that dealerships were closed on the basis of profitability, customer service, and demographic data doesn't pass the smell test.   Don't think this is just a blog thing - Missouri Senators McCaskill and Bond sent a letter to Steve Rattner, the Auto Czar, asking for information on the criteria of the closings.  Senator Durbin of Illinois (thankfully no close relation) sent letter to the GM and Chrysler CEO's (I guess he doesn't know that they weren't the ones who made the decision).  And Luetkemeyer and Shimkus are asking to keep the dealerships open.  What is strange is not that dealerships are closed, but who made the decision and why.  This lawyer for the dealerships seems to think it wasn't the Chrysler CEO who did it.  And of course, Rick Waggoner was forced out of GM, which today declared bankruptcy.   Profitable dealerships have been closed, even ones registering astounding growth numbers even in 2009, and so the question comes to mind, can we determine if there is a political connection? 

In Missouri, dealerships in Branson and Lee's Summit, owned by RLJ-McLarty-Landers ( heavyweight Democratic donors all), have been kept open, while their competition was closed.  Check out this research by Joey Smith, which suggests that three Branson Dealerships will close, with only the RLJ-McLarty-Landers franchise staying open.  There is a similar pattern in Huntsville, AL, and Bentonville AR, on those towns with more information to come. 

Those links above provide information on how you can help, especially through Reboot Congress, but I've compiled a list of the dealerships that were closed in Missouri (and some in Southern Illinois and Kansas).  If you know anything about these dealerships, or can add information to the search, please contact me at editor@24thstate.com. I'll be comparing these to donation records, and then comparing that to dealerships that were left open, and then comparing sales numbers over the next week.  If you have inside dirt, I want to know about it.  Confidentiality is assured. 

List of Dealers Closed in the Chrysler Bankruptcy (MO)

Name, Owner, City

Auffenberg Chrysler, James A Auffenberg Jr, O'Fallon, IL
Bud Brown, Phillip J Brown, Overland Park, KS,
Cape County Autopark Inc, Chris G Auffenberg, Cape Girardeau, MO
Century Motor Corporation, Frank J Mock, Wentzville, MO (Century Dodge/Chrys/Jeep)
Chris Auffenberg Ford, Christopher G Auffenberg, Washington, MO
Crawford's Raytown J-E CO, Michael Crawford, Raytown, MO
Dave Croft Motors - David Croft - Collinsville, IL
Davis Chrysler - Larry D Davis - Ava, MO
Dodge City Motors, Inc    Larry G Estes, Columbia MO
Heritage Chryler Jeep - Kay Church, Ozark MO
Mid-Missouri Motors - Julian Harrison - St Robert, MO
Miller-Campbell Company - Jack C Miller - Kansas City, MO
Milner-O'Quinn Chrysler Dodge - Charles S O'Quinn Harrisonville, MO
Mitch Crawfrod's Holiday Motors - Michael Crawford - Raytown, MO
Ozark Dodge, Kay Church, Ozark MO
Raytown Dodge, Michael Crawford, Raytown, MO
Reuther Dodge, Janey Schopp Creve Coeur, MO
Reuther Jeep Chrysler, Janet Schopp, Creve Coeur, MO
Ron Hulett Automotive, Ronald P Hulett, Camdenton, MO
Sam Ogle Chrysler Jeep, Sameul Ogle, Crystal City, MO
Swafford's Ford Sales, Gary L Swafford, Richmond, MO
T&C Motors, William J Shumake, Sedalia, MO
Tony Martens Dodge, Phillip A Martens, Platte City, MO
Weinberg Dodge, Stephen Weinberg, Grandview, MO

Comments

[Wil Reisinger]

Chrysler thinks that Fait will save them, HA HA. Ask yourself if Fait is so great why don't they already have a dealer body in the largest car market in the world???? They are doomed and aren't smart enough to know it.

[Dan]

Actually, Chrysler isnt interested in fiat for their cars, they want/need their gas mileage technology. Currently chrysler lags behind just about every other auto maker in gas mileage. Fiat brings knowledge to the table that Chrysler doesnt have.

Unfortunately it probably wont make much difference in the long run, the goverment is grabbing up everything in the biggest fire sale in history. A few years from now we could quite easily have nationalized banks, automobiles and healthcare. Its not going to be pretty.

Whats really sad, is statements like the above immediately trigger thoughts of conspiracy theory, crack pots, etc. and until recently I would have thought the same thing. Its amazing whats been done in the last four months, and even more amazing that there isnt a stronger voice against it... Yet.

[Mark Estes]

Dan does your memory go back far enough to the time Chrysler merged with Mercedes? Do you remember in 2 or 3 years the stock price went down so far the value of Chrysler was Zero? Chrysler will not last long enough for Fiat to do anything anyway.