One particular declaration caught my eye, that of Ethel L. Cook, a
dealer based in downtown Little Rock, a town near and dear to the
former resident. I believe readers can draw their own conclusions based
on Mr. Cook’s sworn testimony.
On May 13, 2009, I received a letter from Chrysler notifying the
Dealership that Chrysler had elected to “reject” our Dealer Agreement.
I am obviously very familiar with the Little Rock, Arkansas dealer
network and was surprised because both Cook and Crain, the only
Chrysler dealers in Little Rock, were both rejected. Therefore,
Chrysler’s action would, on its face, result in a complete lack of
representation in a major American city. Since that would be a
ludicrous result, one can only infer that Chrysler has a more sinister
motive.
Because it is inconceivable that Chrysler will not have a
dealership in Little Rock going forward, the only conclusion that one
could draw is that, after review, the evidence in other markets in the
region, that Chrysler now intends to “give” the Little Rock market to a
Landers-related dealer.
Having reviewed the pattern of assumption and rejection of
dealers throughout their region, I have detected a pattern: In every
market where there is a dealership connected with former Penske
Automotive executive Steve Landers, or his new automotive partnership
with “Mac” McLarty (former Chief of Staff for President Clinton) and
Robert L. Johnson (majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats), the
competitors are rejected.
In the Little Rock, Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep is located far
out of town in Benton, Arkansas. Nevertheless, the two Little Rock
dealers, Cook and Crain were rejected.
In the Fayetteville, Arkansas area, Landers-McLarty Dodge
Chrysler Jeep is located far out of town in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Competitors Springdale Dodge Chrysler, Steve Smith County Jeep and
Jones Brothers were all rejected.
In the Shreveport, Louisiana market, Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler
Jeep (a Landers McLarty dealership) is located in Bossier City,
Louisiana. Both competitive dealers, Claude de Beaux in Vivian,
Louisiana and Greater Birmingham Dodge Chrysler in Shreveport were
rejected.
In the Springfield, Missouri market, Tri-Lakes Motors (a
Landers-McLarty dealership) is located in Branson, Missouri.
Competitors Heritage Chrysler Jeep in Ozark, Missouri and Ramsay Motor
Company in Harrison, Arkansas were rejected. A pattern seems to be
emerging. Everywhere there is a Landers-McLarty dealership, Chrysler
has rejected the competition.
In the Huntsville, Alabama market, Landers McLarty Dodge
Chrysler Jeep, is located in Huntsville. Competitor Cloverleaf Chrysler
Dodge Jeep was rejected.
Favoritism and cronyism towards preferred dealer group is not a
valid exercise of business judgment.
