No Chryslers closing in western Mass.

Chrysler Corporation sent out letters Thursday to nearly 800 dealerships informing them their franchise agreements were being terminated. Chrysler plans to eliminate 789 of 3,200 dealers across the country, nearly 25 percent of its dealer network.
None of those letters were sent to any dealers here in western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts dealers on the list in the bankruptcy filing are in Attleboro, Braintree, Dudley, East Harwich, Framingham, Kingston, Melrose, Salisbury, Seekonk, South Attleboro, Westboro and Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.

Enfield Chrysler is on the list of seven stores slated for closing in Connecticut.

Chrysler infomed Topor Dodge in Chicopee that they can remain their dealer as Chrysler moves forward with establishing a new company. General Manager Joseph Topor told 22News he was relieved but not really surprised. "They're looking to build a stronger company, and they're relying on their dealers that have been with them and are doing a good job for them. So we're very positive and happy that we made the cut."

Topor told 22News that it appears Chrysler will emerge from bankruptcy within a couple of months. He hopes that will re-assure potential customers as well as present owners worried about warrantee work. He said traffic and sales have actually improved this month since the bankruptcy filing.

Just over 50 percent of Chrysler's dealers account for about 90 percent of the company's U.S. sales.