the rix mix

700 Chrysler & 1,100 GM dealerships. Maybe a few less after court battles & tradeoffs. Maybe we could have seen this coming 20 years ago. We knew there were too many, the companies were bloated at the retail end. It was a mystery to me how so many managed to stay profitable.

The internet was undermining them anyway. A saavy buyer can go to a dealer, find a new model in stock, do some online research, jiggle the figures on rebates & extras. come up with a firm quote, e mail it to the dealer: "This is what I'll pay, here or at some other dealer." Smaller dealers encourage it because it helps them compete with the giant competitors out on the highway. But the smaller dealers don't offer free sushi & jacuzzis while your oil is being changed. 90% of what a new car salesperson does can be replaced by computer kiosk in the showroom.

We're seeing the end of an era that actually ended long ago. We have reason to feel sad. But neither we nor the dealers have much reason to be surprised. It hurts that West End Chrysler ( locally known as West End Garage, the official name), landmark family-owned dealer in Rahway NJ, is on the hit list. West End has been in business since 1914. They were selling cars when Rahway was still building horse carriages & shipping them out on barges from docks downtown. Even now, old timers in Rahway wouldn't think of buying a new Chrysler anywhere else. It's a quaint place - looks like a large garage. Small showroom, lot, & service area. I'd love to buy a Sebring Convertible GTC there. They'd probably throw me a party when I picked it up, with a Letter of Commendation from the Mayor & City Council. If West End could survive WWI, The Great Depression, WWII, & the 1970's, & could project making it through this troubled time, you'd think Chrysler would not only let the business stay in business, but proudly hold it up as living history & an example of corporate continuity.

Labels: Rahway NJ