Rink Brothers on List to Close, But Don't Count Them Out

Rink Brothers, the oldest original Chrysler dealer in the country, is one of the 789 dealerships the automaker wants to close as part of its bankruptcy restructuring plan.

But Rink Brothers General Manager Tom Colewell says don't count them out yet, although they weren't totally surprised by the announcement.

He says once Chrysler announced the bankruptcy earlier this month they had a feeling they would be on the list to close because the company is concentrating on keeping its higher volume dealerships operating.

Colewell says that's related to Chrysler's new alliance with Fiat, and trying to bring that to the US.

"There not going to be selling Fiats in Bradford, Pennsylvania," he said. "I mean, let's be honest."

He says the dealers will have a right to appeal to get off the closure list, and they are looking into that option.

Another option, he says, is operating Rink Brothers as a used car dealership.

For the time being, Colewell says, Rink Brothers will continue to "operate as normal."

Marra Brothers in Olean is also on the list of dealerships Chrysler wants to close.