NADA Asks GM Not to Release Dealer List

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has made an unexpected move late last week as it asked General Motors not to give the Congress the list of dealerships to be terminated, largely due to the fact that most dealers do not want their names to be made public, Autonews reported.

NADA chairman, John McEleney said "a number of dealers would rather not have customers know they've been targeted for elimination if they're going to stay in business." The associations' response comes after U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va called for the list during a Senate hearing.

After first declining the request, both Chrysler and GM CEO agreed to provide the lists.

"We'll be working with the committee on their request while also working with the dealers to protect their best business interests," Greg Martin, GM spokesman said in an email quoted by the source.

Fritz Henderson, GM's CEO said his company has not made public the list of those to be terminated because they are being given "12 to 16 months to determine what they would like to do with their business without having that hanging over them." He made it clear that even if the list is made public, the company's plans will not be affected.

"I think you're going to walk out of this hearing today, and 95 percent of what was decided before this hearing started isn't going to change," Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb said. "In the end, they're going out of business, aren't they?"

Despite their request, NADA stands by its initial claims and waits to see the analisys of savings GM will get from cutting its dealers count.