Joe Davis got the news he expected Thursday morning, but he was relieved, nonetheless. Davis found out the Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership he owns on Highway 301 South was not one of the 789 dealerships across the nation Chrysler plans to close as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.
“I was confident we would stay open, but it was good to see we weren’t on the list,” Davis said.
Davis and his wife Heidi opened Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep on Feb. 16 at the same location of the old Trapnell location, which closed in 2008. He said he has been very pleased with the move to Statesboro.
“Statesboro has welcomed us and we are grateful to the community for helping us establish our business,” Davis said.
Chrysler wants to close the dealerships by June 9, including 13 in Georgia. Davis said the automaker looked at his dealership and saw a viable store.
“I think Chrysler wants dealers to have all three franchises – Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep – under one roof,” Davis said. “Dealers need to be well capitalized and a deliver great customer service to a strong client base. We meet all that criteria.”
Davis said he remains optimistic Chrysler will be a stronger company in a few years after the bankruptcy reorganization is complete.
“We all knew Chrysler was ‘over-dealered’ and some needed to go,” Davis said. “But I feel for all those people and their families that will lose their jobs. I know how much blood and sweat and capital they invested. That’s very sad.”
Davis also said Chrysler believes strongly in the Statesboro market.
“The company sees Statesboro as a growing and vibrant town,” Davis said. “And so do we. We look forward to doing business here a long, long time.”
“I was confident we would stay open, but it was good to see we weren’t on the list,” Davis said.
Davis and his wife Heidi opened Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep on Feb. 16 at the same location of the old Trapnell location, which closed in 2008. He said he has been very pleased with the move to Statesboro.
“Statesboro has welcomed us and we are grateful to the community for helping us establish our business,” Davis said.
Chrysler wants to close the dealerships by June 9, including 13 in Georgia. Davis said the automaker looked at his dealership and saw a viable store.
“I think Chrysler wants dealers to have all three franchises – Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep – under one roof,” Davis said. “Dealers need to be well capitalized and a deliver great customer service to a strong client base. We meet all that criteria.”
Davis said he remains optimistic Chrysler will be a stronger company in a few years after the bankruptcy reorganization is complete.
“We all knew Chrysler was ‘over-dealered’ and some needed to go,” Davis said. “But I feel for all those people and their families that will lose their jobs. I know how much blood and sweat and capital they invested. That’s very sad.”
Davis also said Chrysler believes strongly in the Statesboro market.
“The company sees Statesboro as a growing and vibrant town,” Davis said. “And so do we. We look forward to doing business here a long, long time.”