DES MOINES, Iowa – If you’re looking for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep, this just might be your weekend.

Chrysler dealers who will lose their right to sell new cars as early as Tuesday need to unload the remaining cars and trucks on their lot or face getting stuck with them.

Chrysler, which has filed for bankruptcy protection, has told 789 dealerships they’ll no longer have a contract to sell new cars after next week.

Those with cars still on the lot will not be able to take advantage of manufacturers incentives like rebates, which will make selling them uncompetitive with other dealers.

Car dealers in that position expect a very busy weekend as customers seek deep discounts, knowing that the dealers are in a bind.

“We’re obviously drastically discounting the vehicles,” said Jerry Lande, new car sales manager for Des Moines Chrysler. “We have lots of inventory and we expect a big weekend.”

Customers shouldn’t expect ridiculous deals, though.

Some dealers have reported customers calling expecting half off or $10,000 off. Lande said he has had a few such calls.

“Clearly we get some of that, but that’s not realistic,” he said.

The dealership, which sells only Chrysler models will sell only used cars after next week.

It had 140 Chryslers still on the lot on Friday after selling 70 in 12 days, the result of a liquidation sale announced when Chrysler said it was one of the dealers to be cut.

So, if you’re in the market for a Chrysler, what can you expect?

With the understanding that prices and incentives vary from market to market, here’s an example of a realistic deal you might be able to negotiate this weekend.

Say you were interested in a $30,000 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, a popular family vehicle these days. Buyers may be able to negotiate as much as $6,000 off the price, said Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive of Edmunds.com, a Web site that provides detailed auto information for consumers.

A manufacturer’s sticker price of around $30,000 would give you a minivan with a few nice options like a DVD player, running boards and flexible seats. It should be noted that you should rarely pay a manufacturer’s suggested price unless it’s a very popular or hard to get model.

In this example, the dealer invoice — the price the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car — would be about $28,000.

Incentives you could capture vary. Chrysler is offering buyers $1,500 cash back on the minivan.

Buyers can get another $1,000 if they currently own a Chrysler, a reward for brand loyalty. By financing through a credit union, you could get another $500 off and members of the military get another $500 credit.

Source: AP

Photo: Don Ryan

DETROIT – At 789 Chrysler lots across America sit 44,000 potential bargains, cars and trucks that are stuck between shellshocked dealers and a troubled company that no longer wants their services.

The dealers have just a few weeks to sell the Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps or risk losing thousands of dollars on them, giving people who want a car on the cheap a serious chance for a deal.

“You’ve got some very good negotiating power,” said Dave Champion, director of automobile testing for Consumer Reports magazine. “(Dealers are) really looking to shift this inventory. It’s just stacking up all around them.”

On Thursday, Chrysler LLC asked a New York bankruptcy court to end its franchise agreements with the dealers, casting them aside so the automaker can move forward as a new company with a leaner network of about 2,400 showrooms.

General Motors Corp. took a similar step on Friday, giving notices to 1,100 dealers that it no longer wants them. On their lots sit 65,000 Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs, Pontiacs and Cadillacs, but at GM, the dealers’ situation isn’t as dire.

GM isn’t in bankruptcy — at least not yet — so its dealers have more options to fight the move, which the company doesn’t plan to implement until October of 2010. They also have more time to sell the vehicles, plus GM’s dealer agreements also require the company to buy back cars and trucks that meet certain requirements on age and mileage.

Both automakers say they have too many dealers for too few sales. For years they have wanted to get rid of underperforming showrooms to expand the market area of healthier dealers. The moves would give the stronger dealers higher profits and more money to spend on marketing, facilities and personnel, making them more competitive with Japanese automakers.

But inside the 789 Chrysler showrooms to be cast aside, fear is starting to set in as dealers try to figure out what to do with expensive inventories that weren’t selling well even before the Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker entered bankruptcy protection last month.

“They’ve told us that the inventory is our problem,” said Keith Hollern, one of the owners of a Dodge dealer in Windber, Pa. “Want to buy one? We’re having a fire sale.”

Dealers borrow money to buy their inventories, then repay the loans and make a profit when the vehicles are sold. But Chrysler sales were down 46 percent the first four months of the year, so many dealers have been paying interest for months. Even if the vehicles are sold at cost, dealers still lose thousands in interest payments.

Chrysler doesn’t have the money to buy back the vehicles, said company spokeswoman Kathy Graham, but it also doesn’t want to leave dealers in a bind or see the inventory flood the market at bargain prices.

So it has signed a deal with GMAC Financial Services, Chrysler’s new finance company, to float loans to dealers that Chrysler plans to keep can take on the 789 dealers’ unsold inventory. The deal, though, doesn’t include about 4,000 2008 models still on the lots.

Remaining dealers likely will need to take the cars and trucks because all of Chrysler’s manufacturing plants have been shut down since it entered bankruptcy on April 30, Graham said. Sales in May have been stronger than anticipated, so dealers will need to replenish inventories, she said.

“They’re not building anything right now, so they’re kind of creating a little bit of a product shortage,” Hollern said. “So, surprisingly, a lot of the dealers who have gotten new contracts to go on with the new Chrysler will be looking for new inventory.”

Graham said dealers to be cut from the company will get Chrysler warranty reimbursement and sales incentives such as rebates and low-interest financing until June 9. But after that, they won’t be reimbursed for either.

PRESS RELEASE:
Jeep® Introduces All-new 2011 Grand Cherokee

Inventor of the SUV Hits the Sweet Spot of Real-world Capability and On-road Refinement

Legendary Jeep Capability
•
New Quadra Lift™ air suspension system provides height control and
lifts vehicle up to 4.5 inches from park mode to a maximum ride height
of 11.1 inches to deliver legendary Jeep off-road capability
•
Choice of three 4x4 systems – Quadra-Trac I®, Quadra-Trac II® and
Quadra-Drive® II with Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD)
•
New Selec-Terrain™ system with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II
offers five terrain settings: Auto, Sand/Mud, Sport, Snow and Rock to
match driving conditions
• First application of company's all-new,
flexible fuel 3.6-liter V-6 engine which features Variable-Valve Timing
(VVT), 280 hp (209 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm
– an increase of 33 percent in horsepower, 11 percent in torque over
its predecessor and up to an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy
•
Available 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 generates 360 hp (268 kW) and 390 lb.-ft.
of torque (520 N•m) @ 4,250 rpm – features VVT and fuel-saving
Multi-displacement System (MDS) technology with dual exhaust to
maximize efficiency
• For international markets, left- and right-hand drive and a choice of diesel and petrol powertrains will be available
• Unsurpassed trailer tow capability of up to 7,400 lbs. on 4x2 models
•
Larger fuel tank with 24.6 gallon capacity, compared to 21.6 on current
model, combined with improved V-6 fuel economy, delivers range close to
500 miles on one tank of gas

Refinements
World-class Interior
•
Premium soft-touch interior materials for all price classes, including
leather instrument panel and door uppers on Overland model
•
World-class interior features include real wood and leather, heated
steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats,
four-way power lumbar controls, rain-sensitive wipers, Passive
Entry/Keyless Go, ParkView rear back-up camera and power
tilt/telescoping steering column with memory
• Increased storage areas in instrument panel with larger glove box and covered center-stack storage bin
• Premium packaging delivers enhanced comfort and easy accessibility for up to five passengers and cargo
• Larger front- and rear-door openings (78 degrees) for improved ingress/egress compared to current model (67 degrees)
•
More than 4 inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room (38.6
inches) compared to previous model with reclining second-row seats
• Larger cargo volume (36.3 cubic feet) provides 17 percent more room for gear compared to current model (31 cubic feet)
• A fold-flat front passenger seat provides improved cargo carrying capability (Laredo models)
• Well-appointed cargo compartment with removable dual storage bins inside the spare tire compartment

Exterior
• All-new sculpted body and athletic profile define a sleek exterior with aerodynamic finesse
•
All-new dual-pane panoramic sun roof (CommandView®) extends from the
windshield to the rear of the vehicle. Comprised of two glass panels
with power open/close sun shade
• Effortless power rear liftgate for remote up/down convenience (Grand Cherokee first)
• New 20-inch wheels available on Limited and Overland models
• Bi-Xenon High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps standard on Limited and Overland models
• Segment-exclusive SmartBeam® headlamps adjust to ambient light and oncoming traffic to deliver maximum lighting

Ride and Handling

•
All-new independent front and rear suspension systems deliver premium
on-road manners with isolated front and rear suspension cradles and
variable-rate rear springs that combine to enhance on-road character
and ride comfort
• All-new body structure's torsional stiffness is
146 percent stiffer than current model and stiffer than the BMW X5 and
Toyota Highlander for improved durability and reduced noise, vibration
and harshness (NVH)
• Stiffness achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This marks
a 53 percent increase in spot welds, a 42 percent increase in arc welds and a
38 percent increase in structural adhesive
More than 45 Safety and Security Features
•
Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) includes Electronic Roll
Mitigation, Hill-Start Assist, Trailer-Sway Control and available
Hill-Descent Control
• Standard full-length side-curtain air bags extend protection to front and rear outboard passengers
• Standard seat-mounted side thorax air bags enhance protection of the driver
and front passenger
• Standard Jeep-first active head restraints deploy in the event of a rear collision
to minimize the gap between the head restraint and occupant's head
•
ParkSense® Park Assist System assists at low speeds to detect
stationary objects. Warnings include audible chimes and display in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
• Blind-spot/Rear
cross-path detection system notifies driver of vehicle(s) in blind
spots with illuminated icons on side-view mirrors and/or an audible
chime
• Adaptive cruise control decreases vehicle's pre-set
cruise-control speed when closing in on another vehicle or when another
vehicle pulls into same lane
(late availability)
• Forward
Collision Warning (FCW) system detects when the vehicle may be
approaching another vehicle too rapidly and alerts driver (late
availability)
• Remote Start (standard on Overland (available on
Limited) starts engine and activates comfort settings based on ambient
conditions by using the key fob while maintaining vehicle security

Connectivity and Infotainment

•
uconnect guardian standard on all models and includes: Automatic Crash
Notification, Emergency Call, Roadside Assistance Call, Remote Door
Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
• uconnect tunes wireless Bluetooth® connection for cell phones (and future
MP3
players), enabling streaming music, and new USB connection with digital
technology, enabling voice search by song title and artist for iPod
devices
• uconnect nav featuring all-new Garmin navigation and uconnect studios featuring SIRIUS Backseat TV
• Premium Alpine audio system with nine speakers, surround sound and a
506-watt sub woofer

Nearly
18 years ago, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment with the
introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales
later, Jeep improves the formula and hits the sweet spot of real-world
capability and on-road refinement with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand
Cherokee.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers premium
on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand's legendary
four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing
capability. It also offers improved fuel economy (up to
11 percent) and a world-class interior cabin.

"We listened carefully to our customers and the market," said Scott Kunselman,
Vice
President – Jeep/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "Our all-new Jeep
Grand Cherokee hits the sweet spot of premium on-road performance and
legendary
class-leading Jeep capability."

The all-new
Quadra-Lift air suspension system delivers legendary Jeep off-road
capability along with the new Selec-Terrain system that allows the
driver to choose the drive system that best matches on- or off-road
driving conditions. New front and rear independent suspension systems
deliver premium on-road handling and comfort.

The all-new 2011
Jeep Grand Cherokee is built on a proven rear-wheel-drive unibody
platform sharing the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz ML.

"Jeep
invented the SUV segment and our all-new Grand Cherokee is the next
step in the evolution of the SUV," said Mike Accavitti, Director –
Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge Brands. "Jeep innovations including
Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain traction control separate
us from the crowd."

Legendary Capability

The all-new Jeep
Grand Cherokee offers the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system. The
Quadra-Lift system features five height settings for optimum ride
performance:

• Normal Ride Height (NRH): 8.1 inches of clearance
offers improved fuel economy and improved aerodynamics during on-road
driving
• Off-road 1: Lifts the vehicle an additional 1.5 inches for added height in clearing obstacles (9.6 inches)
•
Off-road 2: Delivers legendary Jeep off-road capability and provides an
additional 3 inches of height for 11.1 inches of ground clearance
•
Park Mode: Lowers the vehicle 1.5 inches from NRH for easy
ingress/egress. NRH and Park mode are driver-selectable giving the
driver control over vehicle ride height
• Aero Mode: Lowers the
vehicle .6 inches from NRH. Aero Mode is controlled by vehicle speed
and adjusts for optimal performance and fuel economy

Quadra-Lift
adds up to 4.5 inches of lift span that is supported by four-corner air
springs that provide a cushioned, premium ride. Quadra-Lift operates
automatically, or may be controlled manually via console controls.

In
addition to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the all-new Selec-Terrain™
traction control system lets customers choose the off-road setting for
the optimum experience on all terrains. This feature electronically
coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension
systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case,
Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The Selec-Terrain's control dial allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions
in order to achieve the best driving experience on all terrains:

•
Sand/Mud: Traction control and Quadra-Lift operate with sensitive
response to wheel spin, and torque is tuned for optimal performance
• Sport: Provides enhanced on-road "fun-to-drive" capability
• Auto: Automatically adapts to any on- or off-road situation
• Snow: Vehicle traction and Quadra-Lift adjust for ultimate performance over snow-covered roads
•
Rock: Quadra-Lift suspension raises to maximum height (11.1 inches) and
the transfer case, differentials, and throttle coordinate to provide
low-speed control

Selec-Terrain, coupled with the all-new
Quadra-Lift air suspension, offers drivers an adjustable suspension
span that delivers legendary Trail Rated® performance.

With the
front air dam removed, and the available Quadra-Lift air suspension,
the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 35.9-degree approach angle,
(compared to 32.3 on current model), a 29.2-degree departure angle
(compared to 27.5 on current model) and 25.1-degree breakover angle
(compared to 20.4 on current model).

The all-new independent
front and rear suspension features isolated front and rear suspension
cradles. Variable-rate rear springs deliver improved on-road handling
and comfort that complements the vehicle's off-road capability. The new
rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle
as opposed to underneath.

Go-Anywhere 4x4 Systems
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers three 4x4 systems (Quadra-Trac I®,
Quadra-Trac II® and Quadra-Drive® II).

Quadra
Trac I delivers full-time four-wheel drive without any switches or
levers to pull. The system provides smooth operation over a variety of
road conditions. This light-weight single-speed case is both proven and
highly efficient for enhanced fuel economy.

Quadra Trac II's two-speed transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors in order
to
determine tire slip at the earliest possible moment and take corrective
action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in
the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs.
When tire slippage is detected, as much as 100 percent of available
torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Quadra
Drive II, with a rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD),
delivers industry-leading tractive capability. The system instantly
detects tire slip and smoothly distributes engine torque to tires with
traction. In some cases, the vehicle will anticipate low traction and
adjust in order to proactively limit or eliminate slip.

Selec-Terrain is standard with Quadra Trac II and Quadra Drive II.

Jeep Trail Rated®

All
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees equipped with either the off-road or the
Quadra-Lift group are Trail Rated®. The Jeep Trail Rated badge on the
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee indicates that the vehicle has been designed
to perform in a variety of challenging
off-road conditions
identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories:
traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water
fording.

Jeep Trail Rated is a unique methodology used by Jeep
Engineering to measure and predict off-road performance for all Jeep
vehicles. Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests,
Jeep Trail Rated provides a consistent measurement of off-road
performance for all Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles are Trail Rated.

Powertrains
The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with two leading engine options
for North American markets.

The
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee's standard engine is an all-new flexible fuel
3.6-liter V-6 engine. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine is an all-new design
featuring double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a high-pressure die-cast
aluminum cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration. It features
Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) and delivers 280 horsepower (209 kW) and
260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm. This all-new V-6 engine
improves fuel economy up to 11 percent compared to the previous Grand
Cherokee equipped with a V-6. It is coupled with the proven W5A580, a
five-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and
optimum fuel economy. The five-speed W5A580 transmission includes
adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select (ERS)
driver-interactive manual control and an electronically modulated
torque converter clutch.

The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee's
larger fuel tank, with a 24.6 gallon capacity, combined with the V-6
engine's improved fuel economy, delivers a range of approximately 500
miles on one tank of gas.

The available legendary 5.7-liter HEMI®
V-8 engine delivers 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. of torque
(520 N•m) @ 4,250 rpm. The HEMI also features VVT, which delivers
performance and towing capability, as well as fuel efficiency with the
fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS). The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
engine is mated to the 545RFE multi-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers unsurpassed trailer tow capability of up
to 7,400 lbs. on 4x2 models when equipped with the HEMI V-8 engine.

For international markets, the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available
in left- and right-hand drive with either diesel or petrol powertrains.

World-class Interior Refinement
The
all-new interior is elevated to that of its European competition and
features rich materials and elegant appointments, as well as more room
for both passengers and cargo.

"Following in the footsteps of our
all-new 2009 Dodge Ram, our all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is another
proud graduate of our Advanced Interior Design Studio," said Ralph
Gilles, Vice President – Design. "We achieved a world-class interior by
using fine materials and maintaining a laser-attention to details."

An
available all-new CommandView® dual-pane sun roof provides twice as
much glass surface than a standard sun roof and extends from the
windshield to the rear of the vehicle. The front panel can be opened
rearward, providing additional light and fresh air to first-row
passengers. The rear panel, which is fixed, allows light and open
viewing for second-row passengers and comes standard with a power sun
shade.

Right-sized Packaging

The vehicle's 114.8-inch
wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than the model it replaces and
contributes to an overall vehicle length that is 1.8 inches longer than
the prior model. The longer wheelbase creates more interior room and
gives passengers an additional 4 inches of rear-seat knee and leg room.
The vehicle also is 3 inches wider for improved handling and packaging.

Larger
front door openings (1.9 inches wider; 2 inches higher) and rear doors
open 78 degrees compared to current models (67 degrees) for better
access to the interior.

Inside, premium seating includes room for five passengers. An available fold-flat
front-passenger seat provides improved cargo storage room (Laredo models).

For
added passenger comfort, rear seats recline 12 degrees. There also is a
12-degree forward angle to allow 24 degrees of variation.

Cargo
volume behind the second-row provides an additional 6.8 cubic feet of
room (36.3 cubic feet total) compared to the previous model. The
well-appointed rear cargo area includes a storage unit with a
rechargeable flashlight and new and improved grocery hooks on both
sides. The spare tire compartment includes removable dual storage bins
for secure storage of muddy gear or other items.

An all-new power rear liftgate is available for effortless remote up/down convenience.

Classic Exterior Design

Every
surface of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and treated for
aerodynamics. This improves fuel efficiency and puts more fluidity into
the design while delivering a 7- percent improvement in drag compared
with the current model. The all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee Cd is
approximately 0.37 compared with the 2009 Cd of 0.404.

"Our
all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is much more refined, focused and
sportier than the model it replaces," said Gilles. "It has classic Jeep
Grand Cherokee styling
with sculpted athletic exterior refinements for 2011."

The
front includes Jeep's classic seven-slot grille, round headlamps and
trapezoidal wheel arches. The removable lower front fascia delivers
improved fuel economy, on-road performance and off-road capability. The
lower front fascia features a large chromed appliqué (Limited and
Overland models) that showcases available tow hooks.

From the
side, Jeep Grand Cherokee features an athletic, muscular profile. Black
appliqués on B-pillars give the day-light opening (DLO) an aerodynamic,
modern appearance and a sleek profile. Available chromed mirrors and
door handles add to the profile and complement the full-chromed DLO
surround on all models.

Seventeen-inch wheels are standard and
deliver off-road capability, with optional 18-inch and all-new to Jeep,
20-inch wheels for 2011.

Taillamps wrap from the rear quarter
panel to the back of the vehicle and create a solid form which achieves
more of an upscale appearance. The treatment complements the front-end
design and resonates with the rest of the exterior.

Jeep Grand
Cherokee models equipped with a HEMI V-8 engine have 3.5-inch dual
chromed exhaust tips, and those with the V-6 engine have a 3-inch
single exhaust.

Chrysler has announced that at the end of the day Friday, December 19th they will stop production for 1 month. Due to the current issues in the economy they say their hand is forced in this terrible situation. Unfortunately for the employees of Chrysler there will be no return for work in site for them any earlier than January 19. What this means for the manufacturing giant is unclear but this will absolutely have a negative effect on the economy tomorrow morning. Some are saying that Chrysler needs to go in order to successfully rebuild the industry. There is currently no word on if this will be the final days for the 80 year old company but this certainly looks like better days are behind them. There has been no buy out offers that we have heard of and we will keep you updated.