6 East Texas dealerships on Chrysler hit list

The announcement of Chrysler's hit list is hitting close to home. Texas is the hardest hit by the planned closures, including six in east texas.

Bankruptcy documents show San Augustine Motor Co. in San Augustine, Mike Pile Jeep-Eagle in Tyler, Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Palestine, Jack O' Diamonds in Longview, Wayne Williams Motor Company in Crockett, and Canton Motors Inc. in Canton could all lose their Chrysler franchises by June.

Gloomy skies over the Mike Pile dealership as they find out; they could lose one of their signature brands.

"There's been tough times, but I've never seen it like this," says owner Mike Pile.

Pile's been in the car business for 30 years. He says Chrysler trying to end it's contract for Jeeps is a loss he never thought he'd have to face.

"The worst thing that comes out of this is that we're losing our customers," Pile said.

While Pile says he's not laying off any workers; many around east texas will be affected, not just by the economics, but by emotional connection to the brand.

"It's a little upsetting, I think Jeeps are probably the best american-made car and to see them cutting back ... it just seems like we're going back not forward," says Jeep driver Michael Lowe.

Always the salesman, Pile has faith in the system and is planning on succeeding with his two other lines.

"We ask our customers to come by and say 'hi' to us and hopefully the best thing will work out for us," Pile says.

Mike Pile says it plans to continue selling and servicing Jeeps until the decision is made.
Lawyers for Pile say it's likely the judge will decide to ok the closure for all the dealerships on the hit list ... or none at all.