And, per usual, Detroit's automakers are bearing the brunt of the auto industry's most recent dead end.
Anyone who leases a vehicle, and particularly a Chrysler LLC truck or SUV, is likely already aware of the issue. The Auburn Hills automaker will stop financing lease deals after tomorrow, making it harder for some to get into that new Dodge Ram pickup they had their eye on -- and that the company was banking on to help in its slow-moving turnaround.
Chase Auto Finance backed out too, stranding would-be Chrysler lessees.
The impact is significant for consumers, particularly those who have relied on good lease deals to get into larger or more luxurious vehicles.
"I can tell you how this will impact my family. If leasing becomes too expensive and we are forced to buy I can see us moving down to a very inexpensive (small) car to be able to afford the payment," said Louie Bruno of Grosse Pointe. "My guess is that would mean buying a low-priced foreign vehicle unless the Big 3 can make something worth owning available quickly."
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