With the world headquarters just a jaunt down the highway in Auburn Hills, Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy announcement was even more immediate for Orion officials, Chrysler dealers and potential buyers.
As news spread last week that one of the vaunted Big Three automakers was preparing to file for bankruptcy, complete with an address from President Barack Obama, the Milosches, who have run a Chrysler and Dodge dealership in Orion for 55 years, remained optimistic.
‘We’re looking forward to getting back to business as usual,? said Don Milosch, Jr., general sales manager at Milosch Dodge. ‘It would have been nicer if they could have done it without it. But it was necessary. Chrysler will come out of this a stronger and leaner company.?
The restructuring plan offers at least temporary stability to a floundering company in a floundering economy.
Milosch pointed out all vehicle warranties are now backed by the federal government.
‘Now that people know the direction the company is going in, they will be more confident,? he added.
Brian Milosch, general sales manager at Palace Chrysler Jeep just down Lapeer Road, said, ‘Now we know Chrysler’s going to survive. It will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.?
The family’s Dodge business will soon merge with the Chrysler location at 3800 Lapeer Road due to plans unrelated to the bankruptcy.
Both Milosches also said they look forward to Chrysler joining forces with the Italian automaker, Fiat.
According to Brian Milosch, the one saddening aspect of the restructuring plan was the nixing of Chrysler Financial, the financing arm of the automaker. All Chrysler credit and loans will now be done through GMAC, which recently broke away from General Motors to become an independent banking entity.
And for the folks who work at Chrysler Financial?
‘Some of those people will be unemployed soon,? Brian Milosch said.
These are the types of effects Orion officials are afraid of. Supervisor Matt Gibb said there are hundreds of families in the township who work directly or indirectly for Chrysler.
‘We’re impacted just as bad as if there was a plant here,? Gibb said.
The township is bent on addressing the challenges of both the Chrysler bankruptcy and what happens if General Motors follows suit.
They had a Town Hall meeting at the Orion Township Public Library on May 6 at 8 a.m. to discuss the matters. More meetings are to follow.
Grim headlines about the company seemed to be the last thing on the minds of potential customers roaming the Milosch’s Chrysler lot on a recent sunny afternoon.
Markeita Johnson of Auburn Hills said she wasn’t worried about buying a vehicle from a company that had just declared bankruptcy. She said the government-backed warranty helped ease any anxiety.
‘They have some great deals,? she said as she looked at a Jeep Commander.
Eric Olsen of Rochester Hills was also hoping to stumble across a bargain due to the announcement.
‘With all this stuff that’s going on with Chrysler, we’re hoping there are some good deals,? he said. ‘After what Obama said about warranties, I wouldn’t worry about that factor.?