Terry Chrysler Jeep has been around since 1984, but about a year ago, this Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake mainstay was in jeopardy. The Chrysler Corporation shut down 789 dealerships around the country as part of its bankruptcy proceedings and this family owned business was on the list.
Charlie Morris, the son of Terry Morris who built the family business, announced on Tuesday, June 15, that Terry Chrysler Jeep would begin the steps to begin selling cars again. This comes after the federal government passed legislation that allowed dealers to file for arbitration before the American Arbitration Association to reverse the Chrysler Corporation’s rejection, as part of the automobile industry special binding arbitration program.
Obviously, we are very pleased, said Morris. `I wasn’t ready to give up on Chrysler last spring. We decided we would fight for the franchise rights.`
Morris had joined the Committee of Chrysler Affected Dealers when Chrysler first dropped the bomb and waited his turn to go before the American Arbitration Association. After hundreds of cases around the country were won and lost, Morris got his turn in the middle of May.
`It was discovered that the arbitrator felt as though the rejection of our business was unjust, so they ruled in favor of us,` said Morris. `They felt as though we were a viable dealership and that other dealers in the market probably should have closed before us.`
According to Morris, the arbitrator based the decision on the dealership’s current economic viability, its satisfaction of performance objectives, its demographic and geographic characteristics, performance and length of experience.
Morris said he was initially surprised when he found his business on the list of rejected dealerships. He said the arbitration ruling in his favor solidifies his belief that Terry Chrysler Jeep always has been and still is doing well.
`We were doing OK for them, selling the units required. Maybe it had a little to do with location and what they wanted to see in the market area as far as dealers,` said Morris, who was forced to let 20 employees go.
The goal now, said Morris, is to reopen the store in a similar position that it was before being shuttered. To do that, Morris will formulate specific plans and deal with additional documentation and conversation with Chrysler Corporation to reach an agreement that works for both parties.
`I never thought I’d be closed in the first place. My goal was to be with Chrysler for a long period of time and I was a good dealer for them, obviously, or arbitration wouldn’t have ruled for us,` said Morris.
Terry Chrysler Morris can’t sell Chrysler vehicles but it does continue to offer some services.
`We encourage our previous customers to come in for service work. We can’t do any warranty work as of yet, but come in and we can do all the regular maintenance on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products,` said Morris. `We’re ready, willing and able. I’m hoping to be able to sell products again, and soon.`
Terry Chrysler Jeep is located at 873 Route 50 in Ballston Lake. Customers who have questions may call 399-9188 or email [email protected].
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