BAY AREA, FL -- Chrysler has placed 7 area dealerships on its list of dealers that it is asking the bankruptcy judge to approve for closing.
Chrysler LLC has told a bankruptcy court it plans to eliminate 789 of its dealers -- or about 25 percent of them -- across the country as part of its restructuring process.
The automaker has about 3,200 dealers but says that's too many. It wants to have stronger, more profitable dealers with better facilities.
Chrysler spokeswoman Kathy Graham says the company will notify specific dealers before commenting publicly.
The dealers likely will have a right to appeal to get off the list. The move could have a devastating impact on cities across the U.S., costing jobs and tax revenue.
The area dealerships that Chrysler is moving to close are listed below:
Venice Dodge
750 US 41 Bypass South
Venice, FL 34292
Bob Boast Dodge
4827 14th St West
Bradenton, FL 34207
Tarpon Springs Dodge
1891 Porter Lake Drive Unit 101
Sarasota, FL 34240
Winter Park Dodge
1891 Porter Lake Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
Regal Pontiac Jeep
2615 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33805
Sarasota Chrysler
6826 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, fl 34231
St. Pete Jeep Chrysler Plymouth
2500 34th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33713-3697
(Information from the Associated Press is used in this report)
