Abbeville, Franklin, Crowley Chrysler Dealers to Close

According to a list of Chrysler dealers set to close, Frenzel Motors in Abbeville, Shetler Corley in Crowley and Jackie Edgar Chrysler Supercenter in Franklin will shut down. The list is on the New York Times' website, and is cited as a record from bankruptcy court. Chrysler is shutting down nearly a quarter of the company's dealerships.

The dealerships on the list range from very small town stores, to one in Midtown Manhattan. So far, 16 Chrysler dealers in Louisiana are being asked to close - most are Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep dealers, some only sell one or two lines.

ACADIANA

• Frenzel Motors, Abbeville


• Jackie Edgar, Franklin


• Shetler Corley, Crowley

LOUISIANA

• Adams Motors, Logansport


• Barbera, Napoleonville


• Debeaux, Vivian


• Bill Hood, Amite


• Furey, Bogalusa


• Leglue, Alexandria


• McMickens, Alexandria


• Madere's Garage, Hahnville


• New Roads, New Roads


• Oakdale, Oakdale


• Orleans, New Orleans


• Smith, Winnfield


• Roundtree, Shreveport

These dealers will have the opportunity to appeal Chrysler's decision - but I'd say any reversal is unlikely. Chrysler is not making cars right now - they're giving dealers time to sell current models before production with more input from new partner Fiat begins. The bankruptcy status could mean many of these family-owned businesses end up with not much other than their physical buildings.

INTERESTING NOTES

• There may be some silver lining for Lafayette dealers. These cuts leave Lake Charles and Alexandria with NO Chrysler dealers. Jeeps, Dodge trucks and minivans are still popular. People will have to buy them somewhere.


• In places like Crowley and Abbeville, many will probably stop buying Chrysler products. That means they'll be buying cars from other local dealers who may be hurting right now.


• Even though the Acadiana dealers that are closing are in small towns - this will be another devastating blow to local ad sales. From TV and radio to local papers, these dealers have spent money getting their message out for years.

UPDATE - Even though Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Lake Charles is on the list, KPLC reports the dealership will not close. Mark's owner says an Atlanta dealership he owns will close. Evidently both dealerships were listed as having the same Lake Charles address. Read the story here.