Senator Corker floats bill to prevent dealer dropping

Senator Bob Corker, who insisted that Southern auto transplants owned by foreign companies could supply the nation’s vehicles without GM and Chrysler, has introduced an amendment to a tobacco regulation bill which would force GM and Chrysler to give dealers losing their franchise more time to wind things down and reimburse them for their vehicle and parts inventories. The bill would require automakers to give these dealers a full six months to terminate operations.

The same tobacco bill was abused by Democrats wanting a Cash for Clunkers bill and by Republicans wanting Congressional votes on actions related to the GM bailout. Corker had previously opposed assistance to domestic automakers.