Chrysler Customers Can Expect 'Business As Usual'Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday, but Toby Sorg, Warsaw's Sorg South Chrysler Dodge Jeep owner, said business will go on as usual.
Sorg and his brother, Randy, opened the Warsaw dealership two years ago. The brothers also own the Sorg in Goshen that their father Dennis opened 45 years ago.
"It should be smooth sailing for our customers. Everything should be seamless and our customers should not notice a change," Sorg said during an interview Tuesday afternoon.
Chrysler customers who have lifetime warranties on their vehicles are still protected under the bankruptcy protection, and service still is available.Sorg said the dealership plans to continue to be actively involved in the community. Warsaw Community High School uses the dealership's Dodge Caliber for its driver's training program.
Sorg said Chrysler has seen its ups and downs, but he believes, from an owner's standpoint, Chrysler's decision to file for bankruptcy protection was something that was done with the company's best interest in mind.
He said with Fiat and Chrysler merging, Sorg will receive Fiat 500 vehicles in the next year to year and a half. The vehicles are energy efficient, but smaller.
Sorg, who has been in the car sales business since 1991, said owning two Sorg dealerships has helped dramatically.
"We share products and employees, and instead of just having the new cars at our Warsaw dealership, we share the cars between Warsaw and Goshen," Sorg said.
The dealership has more than 130 new vehicles for customers to choose from. The dealership also sells used vehicles.
Sorg said the dealership works with three loan companies that have been helpful over the years.
Sorg said with the nicer weather, business has increased and the dealership has not experienced layoffs and doesn't plan to close.
"It's a great time to buy a car because pricing is low and we have a great selection," Sorg said.
Sorg said vehicles that are currently selling well are minivans and Jeep Wranglers.
He said it's sort of a waiting game right now, but Sorg is confident in who it is and plans to be in Warsaw for the long haul.
Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday and announced it will temporarily halt most of its vehicle production while it completes a deal with Italian carmaker Fiat designed to revive its tattered fortunes.
President Obama said that Chrysler's bankruptcy protection will include up to $8 billion more in taxpayer money. The bankruptcy is expected to last 60 days, giving Chrysler time to finalize a partnership with Fiat.
Bankruptcy doesn't mean the nation's Nov. 3 automaker will shut down, however. A Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing allows a judge to decide how much the company's creditors would get while the company continues to operate.
Sorg said there are a lot of family-owned dealerships in town that have a long history.
"We all have been talking back and forth and everybody has been wishing each other the best. No one wants to see anyone go out of business," Sorg said.
