[pgkdan]

but eliminating retail outlets is pretty much a go-to move for struggling companies

Companies that are bearing the expense of maintaining those retail outlets, sure. But these franchises are owned by the dealers...there's no savings to Chysler.

[Publius Valerius]

As I and other people have frequently pointed out, maintaining franchisees is not without expense. I’m honestly baffled that people think that maintaining a franchise network is a no cost proposition.