NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The U.S. Supreme Court put the brakes on Italian automaker Fiat buying Chrysler and it's unclear how long the court delay will last.
After next Monday, Fiat can walk away from the deal. It will then be likely Chrysler will be liquidated.
Local dealerships that are losing their Chrysler franchises are now stuck in neutral.
Potential car buyers have flocked to Southeast Automotive since word came in May that the dealership would lose its franchise agreement with Chrysler. The agreement was set to expire Tuesday night.
For general manager Joey Huffines, it's been business as usual, albeit very busy business.
"It's been a zoo for 20-something days, our traffic count is three times what it has been," he told News 2.
Huffines said there are still more than 80 new cars on the lot at Southeast Automotive.
Any vehicles that aren't purchased by customers will be sold to a different dealership or sent back to the manufacturer.
If the Chrysler sale goes through and the franchise agreement is terminated, Southeast Automotive said it will sell late-model used vehicles and expand its Jeep customization business.
Huffines and many of the nearly others 800 dealers set to lose their franchise agreements say it's not fair they were given less than four weeks to clear their inventory.
"If I sell them all for invoice versus the factory taking them back now, that's a $200,000 savings in our business, and that's a lot," said Huffines.
Related Stories:
- June 5, 2009: Spring Hill now aims fight at new car
- June 2, 2009: Spring Hill mayor optimistic for GM plant future
- June 1, 2009: Maury Co. leaders say they've survived 'harder blows'
- June 1, 2009: GM announcement expected to hurt Spring Hill real estate
- June 1, 2009: Corvette plant survives GM cuts
- June 1, 2009: Uncertainty remains among Spring Hill business owners
- June 1, 2009: GM idling production at Spring Hill plant
- May 31, 2009: Expected bankruptcy declaration worries GM workers
- May 29, 2009: Banker who helped bring GM to Maury Co. reflects on past
- May 28, 2009: Spring Hill's future waits on GM's word
- May 28, 2009: Spring Hill GM workers vote for new contract
- May 27, 2009: Bankruptcy seems inevitable for GM
- May 26, 2009: Spring Hill residents worry, wait for GM news
- May 25, 2009: Spring Hill GM workers wait to learn plant's fate
- May 15, 2009: GM won't renew franchise with Team Chevrolet
- May 14, 2009: Chrysler cuts ties with several Tenn. dealers
- April 27, 2009: GM's plan to cut 21,000 causes concern in Spring Hill
- April 22, 2009: GM to shut many U.S. plants up to 9 weeks
- April 20, 2009: Some Spring Hill automakers could lose jobs
- April 6, 2009: Worry over GM's future continues in Spring Hill
- March 30, 2009: Uncertainty worries workers at Spring Hill GM plant
- March 16, 2009: GM workers return to Spring Hill plant
- March 2, 2009: Spring Hill GM plant suspends production, again
- Feb. 18, 2009: Auto workers confront Corker during visit to Columbia
- Feb. 17, 2009: GM to cut 47,000 jobs, close 5 plants
- Feb. 12, 2009: Corker gets UAW Valentine, says workers are 'misguided'
- Dec. 19, 2008: GM worker in Spring Hill relieved over auto bailout
- Dec. 15, 2008: Community worries about GM plant shutdown
- Dec. 13, 2008: Small business owners ponder Spring Hill's future
- Dec. 12, 2008: GM extends holiday in Spring Hill due to production slowdown
- Nov. 18, 2008: Automakers plead for $25 billion lifeline
- Nov. 7, 2008: Spring Hill avoids GM layoffs, for the most part
