It’s nothing personal, all Chrysler plants will be going idle on July 13th, as they are prepped for retooling to produce new models and meet specifications of new owner Fiat. They also need to prepare for the 2010 model year.

According to US News: “A Chrysler spokesman confirmed Tuesday that 1,700 Belvidere Chrysler employees return to work Wednesday through Friday, but they’ll spend that time training in some new Fiat procedures.” Going back to work for three days before the plant retooling means that workers will have to dip into their vacation time if they want to get paid while the plant is quiet.”

Ganley Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Cleveland, OH (pictured above) did not make the cut, and will be one of the almost 800 dealers closing up shop. Rumors say the top dealers at these lots will receive a new car, the second runner-ups…a set of steak knives. Ok, we stole that from Glengarry Glen Ross, but we’re trying to find a little humor here!

Dodgepedia welcomes our new Italian overlords with open arms. May we dine together over a hot plate of pasta and a bottle of red wine.

A recent post in Edmund’s Car blog brings up a misconception about what Chrysler incentives will be able to get you before June 9th, the day Chrysler dealers must stop selling cars. Many believe now is the time to get yourself a cheap Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep vehicle – and you’d be right…sort of.

If you walk into a Dodge dealer and check out a Caliber or Dakota pickup truck, chances are you’ll be able to purchase one for somewhere around 50% off MSRP. You see, Chrysler isn’t buy the cars back once their dealerships close, and selling the vehicles to other CDJ lots may be iffy, also dumping the cars off at auctions runs the chance that no one will make a profit. But you won’t be driving off in a brand new 2009 Challenger R/T at 50% off. Cars like the new Challenger are still a big draw, and can attract buyers willing to spend $10,000 under MSRP – even if that keeps the final costs to around $25K. A 50% profit loss on an American Muscle Car is not something any dealer, living or dead, will settle for. It will be interesting to see what Chrysler dealers decide to do with their overstocked and unable to be sold inventory after the first week of June.

It’s no surprise that any experimental vehicle, such as the Circuit EV, is on hold. Between Chrysler/Fiat and the financial troubles of car companies in America any and all chance taking has been forbidden. Some speculate that the Chrysler EV line was never meant for public transport or actual production – it may have all been a big marketing scheme to draw attention…or maybe get the government creditors off their backs.

Dodge’s EV Coupe is still a great idea and could be very profitable down the line. It’s a Tesla Motors-type electric sports car, capable of reaching zero-to-sixty in under five seconds and has a range of 150 to 200 miles, with a little help from the lithium-ion battery pack. It can (if this car is actually real) recharge from your average household electrical outlet, as long as you have 4 to 8 hours of no driving. But for now the EV is not in Dodge’s future – for the time being it’s all about staying afloat.