With Chrysler’s bankruptcy problems, the automaker has been trying hard to unload its Dodge Viper business. Since late in 2008, Chrysler has been working to find a buyer for the Viper sports car brand, but unfortunately the only offers available went up to $10 million – far less than Chrysler was hoping.

As a result of the Viper brand being virtually unsellable, Chrysler will be holding onto it, meaning the brand will be handed over to Fiat to control. Reportedly, Chrysler had received offers of up to $35 million for the Dodge Viper business, but unfortunately used cars Connecticut dealers believe these offers were well before bankruptcy and needless to say have since  fell through.

With Chrysler now emerging from bankruptcy as a new company, the Viper’s fate will now be decided by Italian automaker Fiat. This includes the control of all Viper assets says Texas Dodge. Fiat can continue to look for a potential buyer for the assets. However, the other option is for Fiat is to simply dissolve the brand, which one body shop Oklahoma City observes is a sure way to remove competition from Fiat’s own Ferrari and Maserati sports car brands.

The Dodge Viper brand began 17 years ago. The brand helped Chrysler add a performance pedigree to its image and has earned a cult following. After a mere 25,000 Vipers have been produced, there will still be plenty of disappointed enthusiasts should the brand cease to exist.

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Read about Chrysler-Fiat news right here at Car Biz Buzz.

Car dealers have faced plenty of hardships in recent months, and will continue to run into hardships. While the recent federal stimulus offers tax incentives for car buyers, it’s not all good news for car dealers. While money in the pockets of consumers is always a good thing amid falling car sales and weakened consumer confidence, new bailout plans from Chrysler and General Motors both have outlined ideas that may be even more costly to dealers.

While the automakers attempt to secure $38 billion in federal funding, the government first has to approve their restructuring plans. These plans include many hard decisions. For example, Middle Tennessee Chrysler dealers say Chrysler plans to cut dealer margins, production, and 3,000 workers. As dealers are facing problems, Chrysler dealers aren’t looking forward to reduced dealers and service contract margins. Chrysler executives say that Chrysler dealers must make sacrifices just as other Chrysler employees have. When it comes down to it, these steps must be executed should Chrysler hope to receive vital cash.

Some dealers have been outraged by further concessions being forced upon them, but other contend that it’s a small and minor step toward getting the industry back on track, which Philadelphia Cadillac dealers believe is an import goal for everyone. While there’s been no mention of changes to Chrysler’s brands, GM’s restructuring plan provides consolidation of its brands and dealerships. Additionally, the fate of some of GM’s brands, such as Saab, Hummer, and Saturn, remains somewhat unknown as GM’s restructuring has concentrated on its core brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, and GMC. While some are concerned about the fate of these brands, Louisville Chevy says that GM’s core brand will be most important in keeping the company in the black in the long run.

The effects have been felt less at pre-owned stores like Used Cars NC where the economy has helped to drive costs and prices down to a manageable level for customers.

Regardless of changes at Chrysler and General Motors, both automakers and their dealers are hoping that tax credit will help spur new car sales. The economy has kept many consumers from venturing into showroom, and with additional cash in hand Detroit Chevrolet dealers believe consumers will start spending again. The chief economist for the Nation Automobile Dealers Association also sees this happening, anticipated sales to rise several percentage points this year. While this may be a positive outlook, the 2009 has already had a bad start and many dealers are likely going to find themselves out of business.

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