Chrysler dealers in Iowa hope for positive results after the automaker filed for bankruptcy last week. The judge overseeing Chrysler’s Chapter 11 proceedings ruled Tuesday the automaker can start working to sell most of its assets to Italy-based Fiat Group.
Bruce Shimkat, owner of the Chrysler dealership in Fort Dodge, says he’s staying optimistic. "Chrysler is honoring warranty claims and it’s honoring factory incentives to the dealer, so really, we are marching forward, business as usual," Shimkat says. "We’re selling cars and have been selling new cars. It really has not affected us real directly at this point."
He remains confident the brand and its products will remain solid. He’s heard the bankruptcy will last 30 to 60 days "and when they come out of bankruptcy, Chrysler should be a leaner, a far more viable company than it was going into bankruptcy along with the merger with Fiat."
Fiat Group also plans to buy G.M. Europe and create a new company. If successful, the proposed Fiat-Opel would be the world’s second-largest automaker, behind Toyota.