While the Detroit newspapers are filled with stories of gloom this morning ("Bankruptcy Slams Michigan," blares the
lead story of the
Detroit Free Press's extensive coverage), Tiffany Hsu
finds that Chrysler dealers in the Los Angeles area see a silver lining in the automaker's Chapter 11 filing Thursday. The bottom line is that they hope that the government's show of faith in
Chrysler compels consumers to buy more American cars.
Jim Buerge, owner of Buerge Chrysler Jeep in West Los Angeles, has seen sales volume slide 50% since August but says he's reassured
that the business is safe, and he looks forward to the combined buying power of a merged Chrysler Financial and GMAC. "At least there's some plan in effect to correct the issues at hand. I feel a lot
better today than I did yesterday."
"It's like when there's a warning light on a customer's dashboard, and because they don't know what it means, they get a little nervous when it's
usually something minor and insignificant," echoes Doug Swaim, general manager at Star Chrysler Jeep in Glendale. "It's all for the better to get the mysteries and question marks behind us."
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