Three Chrysler dealerships survive

Several Las Vegas Chrysler dealerships have closed as a result Fiat's takeover of the corporation, but two local automotive groups -- Chapman and Towbin -- remain open and will work together to serve the valley.

Towbin Dodge, Chapman Dodge and Chapman Chrysler Jeep will continue to sell, service and finance Chrysler's entire brand lineup.

"We can handle the additional service needs in the city," Dan Towbin, chairman of Towbin Automotive Enterprises, said. "Even though at this present time we only represent Dodge, we have the ability to do warranty work for all Chrysler brands -- Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge."

Towbin said he and Chapman are also working on opening as many as five new dealerships in town to maximize convenience for current and future customers. Ideally, Towbin said, owners of Chrysler-brand vehicles will have access to dealerships that are fewer than 30 minutes from their homes.

Towbin said he didn't have a definitive timeline for opening the new stores, but his goal is to launch the new locations as soon as possible at existing facilities in Las Vegas.

In the meantime, both dealerships have acquired inventory from closed dealerships and are eager to pass on those savings to customers.

"We bought the cars at deep discounts and can continue to sell at those prices," said Don Hamrick, general manager of Chapman Dodge.

Towbin said it's a good time to buy a Chrysler, not only for the price, but for the quality.

"Chryslers are great cars -- not good, but great," Towbin said. "I could drive a Bentley or Rolls (-Royce), but I've got a Dodge Ram Laramie and I love it. It's my favorite vehicle to drive around.

"The new Dodge pickup drives like a car. It's got power and great electronic gadgets. As soon as I get in the car, the phone links in and comes through the system. I can start the truck from outside to cool it down in the summer or heat it up in the winter."

Looking forward, both Hamrick and Towbin expressed excitement about new vehicles that will stem from Fiat.

"The relationship between Chrysler and Fiat is going to yield some great new products -- fuel-efficient products and some newly designed products," Hamrick said.

Hamrick said Chrysler is working now to develop cars that compete with imported brands such as Honda and Toyota by combining fuel-efficiency with enough power to accommodate American drivers' needs.

Towbin said the new Fiat-influenced vehicles could come to market as early as 18 months from now, or model year 2011.

"Fiat is not the Fiat that sold cars here 30 years ago," Towbin said. "This is an amazing company."

Towbin Dodge and Chapman Chrysler Jeep are located in the Valley Automall in Henderson. Towbin is located at 275 Auto Mall Drive and can be reached at 558-3800 or online at towbindodge.com. Chapman Chrysler Jeep is located at 930 Auto Show Drive and can be reached at 888-207-1687 or online at chapmanchryslerjeep.com. Chapman Dodge is an all-new location, located at 3175 E. Sahara Ave. Reach Chapman Dodge at 800-NewDodge or online at lasvegasdodge.com.