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WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Those who are in the market to buy a car might want to stop by a GM or Chrysler dealership.
The struggling automakers are shutting down dozens of dealerships in the area. That means customers can find some great "going out of business" sales.
When Woodbridge resident Tiffany Mitchell needed to replace her Chevy Malibu this week, she wanted to buy another car from General Motors. "I actually wanted another Chevy but they are too expensive right now. Times are hard," she said.
In Woodbridge, even with Chrysler dealers marking down the cars they can't give back, Lorton resident Dan Carpenter says he's reluctant to buy from either Chrysler or GM. He says he's worried he won't find parts if either goes out of business and says he has little sympathy.
"I think it's management. They should have made the decisions they're making now a long time ago. It's just mushrooming now," he said.
It isn't just GM and Chrysler facing slower sales. During this recession, both foreign- and American-owned automakers say they've seen steep declines in their sales.
Cowles Chrysler dealership on Route 1 in Northern Virginia just celebrated its 30-year anniversary in May. Sales are up three times what they were a month ago thanks to the slowly improving economy, but they nevertheless are losing their franchise.
There were liquidation sales on the lot Monday, even as they fight Chrysler in court to keep their dealership.
Some car buyers say they want to help the American auto industry through this rough patch, but Lorton resident Charles Carson says it's not his problem to fix.
"Not only no do I feel any obligation but hell no I don't feel any obligation," said Carson. "They got themselves in to this position, I didn't," he said.
When asked if she has any regrets after buying a Nissan instead of an American-made car, Mitchell responded, "Not really. It's all about my price range. If it can't fit in my price range, it doesn't matter to me where it came from."
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