Wisconsin Dealer Drops New Chryslers

While most eyes will be on Washington, D.C., the next few days, Mark Olinyk of Grand Rapids, Wis., is making some news of his own. The car dealer has decided to drop his franchise agreement with Chrysler and will stop selling new Chryslers and Dodges as of Dec. 15. The store, Mark Motors, opened its doors in 1988, and it will continue to service already-sold Chrysler cars.

"We don't know what other challenges we might face," he said. "If Chrysler files bankruptcy, I'm just another creditor standing in line looking for some money."

Olinyk says he’ll have to make major layoffs. Instead of selling new Chryslers, he will sell used cars at the dealership. He also owns a Toyota dealership in Plover, Wis., on which he says he’ll now focus more attention.

The lone good news is that Olinyk says there will be a “buyer’s windfall” on remaining stock. Chrysler representatives will remove whatever cars aren’t sold from the premises Dec. 15.

Mark Chrysler Dodge of Grand Rapids to exit new car market Dec. 15 (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

Comments

Well, this is one way to kill the dealer base. But I don't blame him with CEO of Chrysler screaming bankrupcy and Cerebus showing no commitment to the car business. My poor 94 Dodge Intrepid will take a resell hit. But I didn't expect to get much out of all 100K. I might have to move up my tune up but since it is domestic plugs and wires, it shouldn't be a big deal.

I hate to say it, but a 14 year old US-made car just isn't worth very much to begin with; don't worry about resale value. Drive it until the wheels fall off.

In ten years it will be a classic :)

I miss my 92 Pontiac Sunbird... I really loved that car.

Good move on his part. He might be making the right move Nardelli does for Chrysler what he did for Home Depot.