Local Chrysler dealers say they're staying put

News that Chrysler plans to close almost 800 dealerships in the U.S. may have Detroit and bankruptcy lawyers buzzing, but targeted local franchise owners in Carthage and Malone insist their operations will not shut down.

In Carthage, owners of Dominic Condino Motors insist their business isn't going away. The Condino family did not want to discuss the Chrysler announcement in detail Thursday, but did issue a statement:

"Dominic Condino Motors will remain in Carthage, New York, no matter what Chrysler decides or what happens with Chrysler," said James D. Condino in the statement.

Stephen C. Bailey, owner of Great Northern Motors, Malone's Chrysler dealership for more than 25 years, sees a silver lining in Chrysler's cloudy future.

"Realistically, I don't know that it's a bad thing," Mr. Bailey said. "Chrysler is being bought out by Fiat."

Mr. Bailey said his other dealership, Bailey Motor Co., which sells Fords, "isn't going anywhere." The closure of the Chrysler dealership, which represents a small fraction of his overall sales, will not result in any job losses. All of his technicians are cross-trained to work on Fords as well.

Chrysler will close 28 dealerships across New York in a nationwide attempt to streamline its operations. Company dealerships in Herkimer, Ithaca, Rochester and Syracuse were also named as closure targets.

News about the possible loss of the Chrysler franchise saddened Carthage community leaders.

"It's a tragedy," said village of Carthage President G. Wayne McIlroy. "They have been very loyal people to Chrysler and I think it's a shame that Chrysler would cut them out like that."

Community Development Coordinator John F. McHugh said that Condino Motors is "an important part of our community." He said he plans to sit down with the family and discuss how the community might be able to help out.

Gino M. Zando, president of the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, said that the dealership is an "upstanding member of the chamber."

"They have certainly served the people diligently and with quality service for many years," Mr. Zando added.

The third-generation, family-owned company dates back to 1918, when Dominic Condino, an Italian immigrant, purchased the building. The firm acquired the Chrysler-Plymouth franchise in 1940 and in 1993 expanded to Dodge, Jeep and Eagle vehicles. Currently, the company is affiliated with Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

Eight people are employed by the business.

In Malone, Mr. Bailey said Great Northern Motors still has 15 Jeeps on hand and will be offering "some awesome closeout deals" to prospective buyers. He remains upbeat about his Ford dealership's future.

"We don't look at this as a negative situation," Bailey said. "Aligning with Fiat is going into uncharted waters. We feel that we may have dodged a bullet."