"The truth of the matter is that a year ago their (auto makers’) business plans made sense," said Ross Turner, local Chevrolet and Toyota dealer. "... then people stopped buying cars and they changed what they wanted to buy overnight."
The result: local dealers stopped putting in as many orders; the automakers didn't have the orders to make the vehicle and therefore, the cash to operate.
  
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"My political view is that I don't like the idea (of an auto bailout)," Turner said. "But the reality is, the banks won't lend them the money, but they need cash ... we're backed in a corner and I hope the government will come forward with a loan."
GM asked in its plan for $12 billion in direct loans to get the company through March, and a $6 billion revolving credit line it could tap into if the market got worse, according to BusinessWeek. Ford asked for a $9 billion backup line of credit, and Chrysler asked for $7 billion in aid.
"As a working American in the auto industry, (the bailout) is huge. It affects all the people I work with, which is 50 people in this community," said Jack Weyers, parts and service director at Montrose Ford and Nissan. "It's paramount that these companies stay in business."
Independent deals of GM, Ford and Chrysler employ more than 750,000 people in the U.S. and have a more than $35 billion payroll, he said.
As the CEOs were pleading for help Tuesday, the industry released statistics that showed new car and truck sales plunged 37 percent last month, the worst level in 26 years. GM reported a 41 percent decrease in sales, Chrysler dropped 47 percent and Ford's sales fell 31 percent.
Despite the news, Turner said he's optimistic and believes business will come back.
"In a couple of years it will be all back to normal," he said. "The question is if they can survive that long."
Weyers said he's also staying positive and trusts the government will use their better judgment.
The consequences of a collapse of the large automakers could be detrimental. Potentially, it could bring the crisis off Main Street and into the driveway.
If one maker goes down, it affects the production of suppliers. They too could see a large decrease in orders, which could have the same effect as the dealers' orders on the makers. If suppliers crash, then other makers will struggle to get parts. It could ultimately result in more lost jobs, an estimated 3 million in the first year, Weyers said. And if specific parts aren't being made, there's no choice left for the consumer who needs new brakes for their car, but can't get them anymore.
There is a lot of "ifs," but theoretically it's possible, Turner said.
But there is optimism to be had. Gas prices have dropped and like the housing industry, there are deals to be made.
"It's a great time to buy a car," Turner said. "You can buy the same car today for less money than a year ago. The rebates are bigger and there are some good opportunities."
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