Corker Says Dealership Amendment May Not Be Necessary

Representatives from GM and Chrysler have been trying to win a compromise on the pace of dealership closings. The automakers want to avoid legislation aimed at how they go about those closings. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker says his amendment to protect car dealerships may not be necessary after all.

Corker’s amendment had sought to assist dealerships who had been ordered to close. It would have given them more time to shut down and required automakers to reimburse the dealerships for their remaining inventory. Corker now thinks the legislative action is unnecessary.

“What’s happened as a result is GM has constantly checked in with us and let us know, they are doing that, they are doing that. The amendment has not passed, we’re trying to attach it to the appropriate vehicle which as you know is very difficult around here, but I think it’s had its intended impact already.”

Corker introduced the amendment in June, but seems to be backing off his efforts to get it through Congress. He promised he’d still continue to hold automakers accountable for their agreements with dealers.

Reported by Tanya Snyder.