http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503335.html

 Quote:
The White House issued a statement today saying it opposes legislation that would compel General Motors and Chrysler to keep open some of the 2,000 dealerships the companies have slated for closure.

Both of the automakers, now partially owned by the U.S. government, have sought to close dealerships in an attempt to shrink their sales networks in proportion to the drop in car sales.

Some of the rejected dealers say the closures are unfair and needlessly sacrifice jobs. The proposed legislation would force the companies to keep the dealerships open.

But the White House said the bill, which now has more than 240 sponsors in the House, could set a "dangerous precedent." The statement from the administration noted that other constituencies of the automakers -- unions, retirees, shareholders, suppliers -- have granted concessions as the companies have made painful cuts.

"The decision to invest taxpayer dollars into these companies required all stakeholders to make difficult sacrifices," the statement said.