Chrysler to Close 25% of its Dealerships in the U.S.
789 of Chrysler LLC's 3,181 dealers were notified that their franchise agreements will be terminated, if a bankruptcy court approves the company's restructuring plan. Chrysler filed for bankruptcy on April 9 and would like to eliminate as much as 25% of its retail showrooms by June 9, 2009. The automaker plans to scale down its operations amidst a deteriorating market, to a level similar to more successful automakers, such as Toyota, which has just 1,200 dealerships in America. According to Chrysler, the affected dealerships sell more used vehicles than they sell new ones. General Motors is also expected to axe approximately 1,000 of its more than 6,200 dealerships as well, leaving two of The Big 3 looking more like the Extra Medium 2.California Bill to Require ANNUAL Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15-Years-Old and Older Dies in Committee
A really lame proposal for legislation A.B. 859, which requires annual smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older never made it out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Funds from the bill would have gone toward an account used to scrap older cars and trucks, but the bill wasn't passed so we can all breathe a sigh of relief. The last thing we need is another incentive for truck owners to scrap the old iron they have in the yard.Custom Painters to Get Their Due at the Next SEMA Show
The '09 SEMA Show will have all the usual halls dedicated to wheels and tires, performance wares, and trucks, but it will also have an area set up specifically for aftermarket paint and tool suppliers to show off their stuff. This means there will be some extra-special display vehicles to see as well. If we see any outstanding trucks, they'll be in ST. In case you were planning on scamming your way into the '09 SEMA Show, it's going down November 3-6, 2009Get Cash Back for Buying a New Exhaust
From May 1 through Aug. 31, 2009, you'll get $75.00 back if you purchase a qualifying DynoMax exhaust system—including the brand-new DynoMax stainless steel cat-back systems."DynoMax is excited to launch complete systems in stainless steel, and to make those even more appealing to enthusiasts, we're offering a special $75.00 rebate on our complete line of performance exhaust systems," said Joe Pase, director, performance products, Tenneco.
The Power Up promotion from DynoMax is available at participating retailers nationwide. Qualifying systems and redemption forms will be available online after the program start date.
For more information about the Power Up offer and to find a dealer, visit DynoMax.com or call (734) 384-7806.
Will GM Hit the Bricks?
The rumor that General Motors might move from its headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, has been running rampant ever since the threat of going bankrupt has. We don't have any evidence that a move is imminent other than the fact that GM purchased the Renaissance Center last may for $600 million and immediately tried to sell it and lease back its office space. The company hasn't been able to unload the building due to obvious economic factors. Meanwhile, in Warren, Michigan, site of GM's technology center, the mayor has been offering generous tax incentives for the struggling automaker to ditch Detroit.