NADA on Chrysler Dealership Cut: A Very Sad Day!

Chrysler's announcement that it will close the doors of 789 dealerships across the United States didn't shock anybody, especially because the whole industry is fairly familiar with the current economic situation of the American automaker. However, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) hoped that this wouldn't happen, especially because such a decision is, as it said in a press statement, "misguided and counterproductive".

In a statement rolled out today, NADA explained that the 789 dealer cut will only affect Chrysler as an entity because dealerships were the main units that generated revenues for the manufacturer.

Here are the most interesting quotes we selected from the NADA press statement rolled out today:

Today's announcement by Chrysler that it is rejecting 789 of its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers marks a very sad day in retail automotive history.

These dealers and their more than 40,000 employees have done nothing but proudly represent the Chrysler brand through good times and bad, and today find themselves left behind as the company reorganizes itself in bankruptcy court.

While NADA understands the realities of the current marketplace, we also know that dealers didn't cause the situation that Chrysler finds itself in today. Furthermore, we believe that these draconian dealer cuts are not only misguided but counterproductive. Fewer dealers mean less revenue for the automakers. Dealers are the manufacturer's customer; they buy the cars and parts and even the signs in front of their dealerships.

NADA fully expects Chrysler to honor all its obligations to the affected dealers who have been nothing but good partners over the years.