Dealers make their case for a bailout

Chrysler dealers representing about 140,000 employees met with Congressional leaders to urge their support for temporary financial assistance for the domestic auto industry. Three dealers, from Florida, Texas, and Ohio, spoke with the media on Monday afternoon, noting that Chrysler had 3,372 dealers.

“Without this help to these manufacturers, we will not be there tomorrow. We will not be there to be able to support our community, to sell cars, to be part of our community,” said Jim Arrigo, of Arrigo Dodge Chrysler Jeep of West Palm Beach, Florida.

“It’s so unfair for people to say ‘Just let them file Chapter 11 and let them reorganize’. Well, while that reorganization is taking place, what do we do at the local level?” said Chuck Eddy of Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Austintown, Ohio.

About 33 dealers representing 25 states will begin making the rounds on Capital Hill on Tuesday, meeting with key members of Congress and the Bush Administration.

In the past week, leaders of both Honda and Toyota also made their case for a rescue package for the American auto industry. Neither Honda nor Toyota would directly benefit, but both would be hurt by a collapse of the industry, since a common base of suppliers would be at risk.