Tarbox going to Washington to fight for dealership
8:47 AM Tue, Jul 14, 2009 | Permalink
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Rhode Island Chrysler dealer who's appealed the rejection of his franchise is taking his case to Congress. Jim Tarbox, who owns Tarbox Jeep in North Kingstown, and Attleboro, is among hundreds of car dealers traveling to Washington Tuesday. They'll discuss legislation that would include requiring Chrysler and General Motors to reinstate franchise agreements, in effect prior to each company's bankruptcy, at the request of a dealer. Tarbox is one of two dealers selected by the National Auto Dealers Association to talk at an 11:30 a.m press conference that will include House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-MD, and other congressional members. Tarbox is also scheduled to participate in meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Ca.; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada; House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr., D-MI, and Hoyer. Tarbox will also meet with RI Sens. Jack Reed, D-RI, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI. Tarbox, whose family has been in the car business for three generations, doesn't understand why Chrysler rejected his franchise. "My dealership has exceeded sales goals each year and performed above and beyond any expectations set by Chrysler. To have them come in and shut my dealership down with only a few week's notice, was shocking at the least. It also begs the question, if not for performance, what was the criteria for closure?" Tarbox said in a press release. Tarbox went to bankruptcy court last month, saying he thought the closing of his dealerships must have been a mistake because of his high-performing sales record. A Chrysler spokeswoman said while Tarbox performed above minimum sales requirements, the fact he sold only Jeeps made his business less attractive to the restructured company. Tarbox also went to Washington in May to talk to members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation. -- With projo.com staff reports. 
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The Tarbox people have sold me two cars and I have to say I am shocked that the government run auto companies would allow politics to play into this. If it was a union run dealership I can bet they would still be open. This dual standard and politicized business climate is unconstitutional. Wake up America.
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The Tarbox people have sold me two cars and I have to say I am shocked that the government run auto companies would allow politics to play into this. If it was a union run dealership I can bet they would still be open. This dual standard and politicized business climate is unconstitutional. Wake up America.
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