“This is the classic thing: No news is good news,” Mike Reed, general manager of NeSmith Chevrolet in Hinesville, said Friday afternoon.
NeSmith in Flemington and Liberty Chrysler, on the other side of Hinesville, were not included in lists of dealerships to be closed issued by automakers Thursday and Friday.
GM dealers picked were to receive notices by mail Friday.
“It’s too early to tell exactly what’s going to happen,” Reed said.
The auto giants got a $17.4 billion federal rescue late last year. And GM had to submit a restructuring plan by June 1.
“If that plan is approved by the federal government, then they’ll be given additional funds,” explained Reed. “[If not approved], then the only remaining option would be to file chapter 11.”
Those GM dealers that got pink slips will have until October 2010 to wind down their business.
Chrysler gave out a shorter deadline, requiring 789 of its dealerships to close by June 9.
On Friday, Mike Block, general manager at Liberty Chrysler, confirmed the local dealership will stay open.
Reed said Friday’s passover was good for area consumers too.
“They have the same local, hometown dealer that they always have,” Reed said.
“It speaks well for our franchise that we were one of the dealers they want to continue to do business with,” Reed said.