In the autumn of 2003, DaimlerChrysler introduced their first co-developed product: a “segment buster” called the Chrysler Pacifica. According to the official spin, the Pacifica married a minivan’s utility with an SUV’s machismo. In reality, the Pacifica was a six-seat station wagon on stilts, closest in concept to Audi’s slow-selling Allroad Quattro. While the Allroad pulled a Hasselhoff (more popular in Germany than its intended market), the Pacifica was born under a bad sign, raised with great expectations and expired stateside without fanfare or corporate hand-wringing. RIP Pacifica or good riddance to bad rubbish?

The automotive retail landscape has been dramatically reshaped as both Chrysler and GM together have terminated almost 2,000 dealers as part of their on-going restructuring efforts. They were able to use the bankruptcy process to circumvent strong state franchise laws to shed dealers. At times there appeared to be no rhyme or reason to the selection process, leaving both dealers and consumers perplexed. Last week, as new details and documents surfaced on thetruthaboutcars.com on why certain GM dealership agreements would not be renewed in 2010, Automotive Traveler took an in-depth look at the closing process.