Ferrari Mailing List: NFC: Dodge Dealer's outrageous story in newspaper

[Rick (Forza355]

May 19, 2009 
Letter from a Dodge dealer
letter to the editor
My name is George C. Joseph.  I am the sole owner of Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu, a 
family owned and operated business in Melbourne, Florida. My family bought and 
paid for this automobile franchise 35 years ago in 1974. I am the second 
generation to manage this business.


We currently employ 50+ people and before the economic slowdown we employed 
over 70 local people.  We are active in the community and the local chamber of 
commerce. We deal with several dozen local vendors on a day to day basis and 
many more during a month.  All depend on our business for part of their 
livelihood.  We are financially strong with great respect in the market place 
and community.  We have strong local presence and stability.


I work every day the store is open, nine to ten hours a day. I know most of our 
customers and all our employees.  Sunshine Dodge is my life.


On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we 
purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without 
compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle 
inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million 
dollars.  This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives 
beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new 
Dodge as "new," nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. 
Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually 
worthless without the ability to perform warranty service.  There is no offer 
from Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.


Our facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler's insistence, incurring 
a multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.   


HOW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN THIS HAPPEN?   


THIS IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY


This is beyond imagination!  My business is being stolen from me through NO 
FAULT OF OUR OWN.  We did NOTHING wrong.


This atrocity will most likely force my family into bankruptcy.  This will also 
cause our 50+ employees to be unemployed. How will they provide for their 
families?  This is a total economic disaster.


HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?


I beseech your help, and look forward to your reply. Thank you.


Sincerely,



George C. Joseph
President & Owner
Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu