Chrysler going to stand-alone service centers
 

I guess they ran into a hitch with their plan to reduce the number of dealers:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter01

Ford tried that a few years back.......it tanked.

But its working great for Lexus...although their owners tend to take their cars to the dealer for service more so than non-luxury makes.

It doesn't work when there are so many dealerships around. Ford has way too many. Why put up a service center that is surrounded by dealerships?

But you need to service vehicles in areas where there isn't a dealership close at hand (due to consolidation or what have you). Generally speaking, parts & service makes more money for the average dealership than new-car sales (used car sales makes more than new car sales as well).

It *might* work for Dodge, but I think domestic car buyers can be dealer-averse, and might just as easily take their vehicles to an independent shop.

In the end, they are trying to plan for the end result: a company with far fewer dealers than they currently have.

Maybe they are preparing for the day when the Lifetime Warranty hits the fan.

[laugh][laugh][laugh]
No kiddin'

That's cause ford hopes while your truck is in service, one of there 5 dealer ships will stop you from going accross the street to the dodge dealer [coffee]

Now that there is some funny stuff, I don't care who ya are!!!