"Chrysler Group is pleased the arbitrator agreed with the difficult dealer network decisions made during the bankruptcy proceedings. There is no denying that Chrysler Group’s and the public’s economic interests are inextricably linked," the carmaker says in a release.
"Chrysler Group not only employed sound business judgment but is acting in the greater public interest by protecting the dealer network that was created as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings."
"We are confident we now have the dealer network in place that allows dealers to be successful, which will result in greater investment in their communities, employees and customers and, ultimately will enable the Chrysler Group to repay the U.S. Taxpayers in a timely manner."
This result delivers another blow to the dealers which hoped arbitration is only the beginning of their revival. According to DetNews, some 400 dealerships chose arbitration when the process was approved. Currently, however, that number is down to 300.
The whole arbitration process is scheduled to conclude by July 14, with each verdict to be handed within five days since the hearing. In Joe Kidd Dodge's case however, the process took an extra five days, pointing to the July 14 deadline being not so realistic.
Chrysler rejected last year 789 dealers, leaving it at the time with a network comprising 2,385 showrooms, 1,364 of which in rural communities, 592 in Metro areas and 429 in secondary markets.
The carmaker revived 50 of them in March this year, based on criteria such as the benefits they have to offer to customers or the fact that they are located in areas where no other Chrysler dealers are located.
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