PORT ANGELES — Murray Motors will lose its franchise to sell new Chryslers and Dodges today.
It is one of 15 Chrysler dealers in the state — and 789 nationwide — that the Michigan automaker is cutting as the company moves toward acquisition by Italian automaker Fiat.
The move affects about one in four Chrysler dealerships nationwide.
Murray Motors has a 75-year tradition on the North Olympic Peninsula. There are six new cars remaining on its lot at 302 E. First St.
“After the close of business [today], we will no longer be permitted to sell new cars,” confirmed Mark Murray, third-generation owner of the oldest car dealership on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Final day today
Murray Motors will sell its remaining new cars to another dealership if those six cars are not sold today.
As of Monday afternoon, the new vehicles left were two Dodge Chargers, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, a Dodge Caliber, a Dodge Journey and a Dodge Magnum.
Murray is offering deal-to-dealer prices to clear his stock.
“It’s my ‘going out of new car business’ sale,” Murray said.
“My intentions are to stay in business, sell used cars and try to keep my service department open.”
Murray said he’s sold a dozen new cars in the last two weeks. The sale was “probably a little bit better than I originally anticipated,” he said.
Some laid off
Murray Motors had 15 employees when Murray received the letter from the Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker on May 14 telling him the franchise agreement would be terminated.
“Unfortunately, I had to let a couple of them go,” Murray said.
“I’ll certainly try to retain as many as I can, but it’s kind of a day-by-day thing.”
Murray said he was “shocked” by Chrysler’s decision to end the franchise agreement and to give the dealership three weeks to clear its inventory of new cars.
He described an outpouring of concern from loyal customers, some of whom have written to Congress.
“The community support has just been overwhelming,” Murray said.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like anything’s going to change the situation.”
Murray’s grandfather, Bart Murray Sr., started Murray Motors in Clallam Bay in 1934. The business moved to Port Angeles in 1944.
Bart Murray Jr. took over the company in the early 1980s.
Mark Murray took out an advertisement last week in the Peninsula Daily News as an “open letter to our friends and customers.”
In it, Murray thanked his customers, reaffirmed that his company is staying in business and endorsed Wilder Jeep — part of the Wilder auto complex in eastern Port Angeles — as a reputable warranty repair facility.
“I’m endorsing him for his service department as far as warranty work,” Mark Murray said. “I think a lot of Mr. [Dan] Wilder.”
Wilder’s agreement with Chrysler to sell its Jeep-brand vehicles remains intact.
While it can no longer make warranty repairs on Chrysler models, Murray Motors’ service department will repair any make or model, Mark Murray said.
“My intentions are to still be here,” he said, adding: “It’s been a great ride.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
