Successful dealership on chopping block asks Klobuchar for help

Jim Leonard found out last Thursday that he made Chrysler's hit list.

Fury Chrysler is just one of the nearly 800 Chrysler dealerships that were told Thursday it is on the chopping block.

Jim Leonard still can't believe it since he claims his lot is one of the most profitable in the state.

"We are up 40 percent year to date in sales in arguably the toughest economic times in the auto industry," Leonard said Monday from his dealership in Lake Elmo.

Leonard claims on the day he got the news his franchise was recommended to be pulled, he sold 6 cars. On Saturday, he sold 13.

"How can you pull a franchise from a dealership that is profitable, serving the community, generating tax revenue and has high customer satisfaction?" Leonard questioned aloud.

Leonard says if his franchise is pulled he will still stay put, under a name more like Fury Motors. He could continue to offer service to Chrysler automobiles and sell used cars. But, he is fighting against it. Calling on lawmakers in Washington to help.

"I think his major focus is how Chrysler seemed to arbitrarily pull his name when he had successful dealership. So he and I are working together and I am sending a letter to Chrysler's CEO to get these questions answered," Senator Amy Klobuchar told KARE-11 today from her office in the Rayburn Senate Building in Washington D.C.

Right now the list of dealerships on the chopping block is just recommendations by Chrysler, mandated by President Obama's automotive task force.

The bankruptcy judge has yet to decide if indeed people like Leonard will lose their Chrysler franchise.

Leonard says he isn't worried about the lot of Chryslers in his possession right now, with many of them at fire-sale prices he anticipates selling them to you, or, to another dealer if it came to that.

By Jana Shortal, KARE 11 News Read Jana's Blog

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