Chrysler to Scrap Leasing

Shift away from large vehicles means a rocky road ahead for Detroit's Big 3

(NEWSER) - Ford's recovery plans have been sent careening off the road by the continuing drop in truck and SUV sales, the Wall Street Journal reports. The company, which now expects this year's losses to top 2007's $2.7 billion, has given up hope of being back in the black by 2009. The ailing Detroit giant has cut production again and delayed the launch of its new F-150 pickup. More»

Half of those that appealed will be allowed to stay open

(NEWSER) - About 600 GM dealerships are getting a second life. Of the 1,160 dealers who appealed orders to shut down as part of bankruptcy proceedings, approximately half will be allowed to stay open. But one dealer tells the Detroit News that it's no cause for celebration until the conditions are made clear, possibly as soon as today. More»

(NEWSER) - A spending bill passed by the House last night includes a provision to reopen hundreds of Chrysler dealerships and prevent the closing of over 2,000 more planned by GM, the Detroit News reports. The measure, opposed by the White House, will force the automakers to give dealers targeted for closing under bankruptcy agreements "a decent review process, a decent appeals process," said the head of the House Appropriations Committee. More»

Lack of competition expected to drive up GM, Chrysler's prices

(NEWSER) - The shake-up of America's auto industry will mean fewer auto dealers but the streamlining won't be making the cars any cheaper, experts tell the Boston Globe. Chrysler and General Motors are likely to turn to the Japanese model of fewer brands and fewer dealers when they emerge from bankruptcy, and the lack of competition among dealers is expected to add as much as several thousand dollars to the price of a new car. More»

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of Chrysler dealers are reeling from notices that give them less than a month to close up shop, CBS News reports. "This was a sucker punch for my brother and I," said Rob Engel, who has been selling Chrysler vehicles in New Jersey since the Reagan presidency. "I'm making the transition from shock to anger." With 100 cars on the lot—too many to sell in a few weeks—he may, like Chrysler, have to go bankrupt. More»