Former Chrysler dealer to take fight for franchises to US District Court

September 16th, 2009 Chrysler to resume leasing after 1-year breakDETROIT — Chrysler Group LLC says it will return to leasing vehicles after a yearlong hiatus. The automaker says it will offer lease options on all 2010 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.

July 9th, 2009 GM, Chrysler fight reopening of closed dealershipsWASHINGTON — General Motors and Chrysler urged lawmakers Thursday to block legislation that would prevent them from consolidating their dealership networks, warning it would complicate their emergence from government-led bankruptcies. With GM poised to exit bankruptcy protection, company leaders pressed House members to overturn an amendment approved late Tuesday by a House committee that would force General Motors Corp.

June 30th, 2009 Chrysler Financial to cut 9 percent of workforceDETROIT — Chrysler's former financial arm says it will reduce its workforce by 9 percent as it restructures and closes a customer service center in Overland Park, Kansas. Chrysler Financial, a company separate from Chrysler Group, says the moves come as it no longer serves as the automaker's preferred lender for financing Chrysler vehicle purchases and dealer inventories.

June 10th, 2009 Supreme Court clears way for Chrysler's Fiat saleWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Chrysler LLC's sale to Fiat, turning down a last-ditch bid by opponents that included consumer groups and three Indiana pension plans. The court rejected a plea to block the sale of most of Chrysler's assets to the Italian automaker.

June 10th, 2009 High court won't block Chrysler saleWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Chrysler LLC's sale to Fiat, turning down a last-ditch appeal by opponents that included consumer groups and three Indiana pension plans. The court rejected a plea to block the sale of most of Chrysler's assets to the Italian automaker.

June 9th, 2009 GM says 15 to 20 dealers get reprieve from closureDETROIT — Up to 20 General Motors Corp. dealerships have been spared the death penalty after the company reviewed their cases and reversed plans to end their franchise agreements, a top GM executive said Tuesday.

June 9th, 2009 Judge OKs Chrysler plan to terminate franchisesNEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge says Chrysler can go ahead with its plan to terminate the franchises of 789 of its dealers. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez issued the order late Tuesday afternoon.

June 5th, 2009 Appeals court to hear argument vs. Chrysler saleNEW YORK — The decision on whether Chrysler can sell the bulk of its assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy protection is in the hands of a federal appeals court.

June 3rd, 2009 Motion to terminate dealer franchises postponedNEW YORK — A hearing on Chrysler's request to terminate the franchises of 789 of its dealers has been pushed back by a day. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez will hear arguments Thursday on the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker's motion to eliminate the franchises.

June 3rd, 2009 Judge to rule on termination of franchisesNEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge is getting ready to decide whether Chrysler can terminate the franchise agreements of 789 of its dealers. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez is expected to hear testimony Wednesday from Chrysler executives and dealers.

June 1st, 2009 GM, Chrysler executives to face Congress WednesdayWASHINGTON — Top executives from General Motors and Chrysler will appear before a Senate committee Wednesday to address concerns about hundreds of dealership closings as the two automakers work through government-led bankruptcies. GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Chrysler President Jim Press will appear before the Senate Commerce Committee chaired by Democratic Sen.

May 30th, 2009 Judge to rule by Monday on sale of Chrysler assetsNEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge says he will rule by Monday on whether Chrysler can sell most of the company to a group headed by Italy's Fiat. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez heard 11 hours of testimony and arguments Friday following marathon sessions the two previous days.

May 29th, 2009 Chrysler appears hours away from Fiat sale rulingNEW YORK — Chrysler LLC could be hours away from a ruling on its plan to sell most of the company to a group led by Italy's Fiat Group SpA, a big step toward its goal of a speedy exit from bankruptcy protection. Closing statements on the sale began in U.S.

May 12th, 2009 AP Source: Chrysler to cut 800 dealers on ThursdayDETROIT — Chrysler LLC plans to fire up to 800 of its 3,200 dealers on Thursday, a lawyer seeking to represent the dealers said on a conference call. The lawyer, Stephen Lerner, who heads the bankruptcy and restructuring practice of the law firm Squire Sanders, told dealers on the Tuesday call that the automaker plans to reject at least 800 franchise agreements, according to a dealer who listened to the call.

May 2nd, 2009 Chrysler Financial to suspend dealer financingFARMINGTON, Mich. — Chrysler Financial says it's temporarily suspending financing for Chrysler dealers effective immediately.