Automotive News [sub] reports that the Chrysler Corp. has banned 463 (out of 3700) dealers from its dealer-only used car auctions. Their crime? Failing to meet 50 percent of their new car sales target set by the corporate mothership. In fact, many of these stores have become little more than used car dealers specializing in late model, low-mileage Chrysler product. Representing the banned dealers, Doug Alley of Alley Chrysler in Kingsport, Tennessee says the company's goals are unachievable: "We got no choice but to be in the used-car business if we want to stay in business." Representing Chrysler, Steven Landry, Chrysler executive vice president of NAFTA sales, global marketing, service and parts, says once Chrysler notified dealers that the rule was going into effect, "it was amazing how many dealers propped themselves up over 50 percent." What's the bet that the booted dealers will sell someone else's product?

Poor Ford Motor Company! Even when FoMoCo produces a good car, the product is still weighed down by the stigma of Tempos and Escorts of yore. In his latest column, MSNBC 's Roland Jones takes stock of the Ford Fusion's dismal sales in June 2007 (12,435 examples sold), what it means for FoMoCo, and how they can generate Impala-like numbers (35,489 examples sold). In this bread-and-butter segment so thoroughly dominated by Camcords, Jones asserts that people don't want an import-clone from a domestic automaker. He's right. Fighting Toyota and Honda on their own turf is a losing battle for Detroit. The market has shown a willingness to buy boldly-styled, rear-wheel drive Americana from America. That's what Ford should build.