Auto dealership number rises 1st time in 11 years

2/15/2012

DETROIT -- The number of U.S. auto dealerships rose in 2011 for the first time in 11 years, dealer consultant Urban Science said Tuesday.

Chrysler Group LLC added the most -- 135 for its parent Fiat SpA and 50 for the main Chrysler Group brands, Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler. Without the addition of Fiat dealerships, the number of U.S. dealerships would have fallen last year.

The overall increase was 0.6 percent, to 17,767.