Senator Jay Rockefeller to Hold Hearing Tomorrow On Chrysler & GM Dealership Closings

Urges Action to Protect West Virginia Families and Dealerships

June 1, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has issued the following statement in response to the Chrysler and General Motors (GM) bankruptcies and subsequent restructuring:

Article continues below...

“General Motors and Chrysler are important American manufacturers and it is my hope they will emerge stronger. However, my immediate concern is with the nearly 2,000 dealerships closing throughout America and over 100,000 jobs at risk,” said Rockefeller. “That is why I am holding a Committee hearing this Wednesday to hear from the President and CEO of Chrysler and GM. We need to address the insufficient transition period and focus our efforts on helping dealerships recoup full inventory costs, minimizing job loss, and providing consumers with access to quality service.”

Chrysler plans to close 40 percent of their West Virginia franchises June 9th, potentially putting about 250 people out of work. General Motors has not yet specified the number of West Virginia dealerships they will be closing, but estimates put that figure as high as 30 percent.

Rockefeller is chairing a full Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing to investigate the GM and Chrysler dealership closures, and how to protect dealers and consumers. The hearing will be held this Wednesday, June 3rd and James Press, the President of Chrysler LLC, Fritz Henderson, the CEO of General Motors, and Pete Lopez, the President of an auto dealership from West Virginia, will among those testifying. The full list of confirmed witnesses is below.

Hearing:

GM And Chrysler Dealership Closures: Protecting Dealers And Consumers
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Witness List:

Mr. James Press, President, Chrysler LLC
Mr. Fritz Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Corporation
Mr. John McEleney, Chairman, National Automobile Dealers Association
Mr. Pete Lopez, President and CEO, Spencer Auto Group, Roane County, West Virginia
Mr. Russell Aubrey Whatley III, Owner/Dealer, Russell Whatley Motor Company, Texas

Source: Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV