KULR-8
Story Published: Jun 28, 2010
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Rimrock Auto Group of Billings has won back its Chrysler dealership.
Rimrock Auto sought mediation after Chrysler terminated its franchise agreement along with nearly 800 dealerships around the country as part of a downsizing in May 2009.
Co-owner Steve Zabawa says Rimrock Auto won the arbitration because it was able to show Chrysler's market share in Billings fell from 14 percent to 8 percent with just one dealer selling their cars.
Chrysler Group issued a statement saying it was disappointed with the decision, which it said undermined the Federal Bankruptcy Court order that affirmed the process it used to reject dealership agreements.
Zabawa and co-owner John Soares Jr. say they plan to build a new Chrysler dealership in Billings within the next 18 months.
Rimrock Auto sought mediation after Chrysler terminated its franchise agreement along with nearly 800 dealerships around the country as part of a downsizing in May 2009.
Co-owner Steve Zabawa says Rimrock Auto won the arbitration because it was able to show Chrysler's market share in Billings fell from 14 percent to 8 percent with just one dealer selling their cars.
Chrysler Group issued a statement saying it was disappointed with the decision, which it said undermined the Federal Bankruptcy Court order that affirmed the process it used to reject dealership agreements.
Zabawa and co-owner John Soares Jr. say they plan to build a new Chrysler dealership in Billings within the next 18 months.
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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com