Crain plans to block Chrysler over closure.

Chrysler LLC plans to close 789 dealerships, including eight in Arkansas, according to documents filed in connection with the troubled automaker's bankruptcy.

Two Little Rock dealerships are set to close: Cook Jeep Chrysler Inc. at 1000 Main St. and Crain Chrysler Dodge Jeep at 5809 S. University Ave.

Crain CDJ LLC, which runs Crain Chrysler Dodge Jeep, said it received a letter on Thursday from Chrysler about its intent to terminate its franchise agreement as of June 9.

"We are very much caught off guard by this notice," Crain CDJ said in a news release. "Chrysler nor its representatives gave us any indication that our dealership would be targeted for closure. In fact, Chrysler representatives have indicated that our store, as Little Rock's only full line Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership, would not be targeted for closure."

Crain said it plans to file actions with U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission and Arkansas courts to block Chrysler's attempt to eliminate the sales and service agreement.

"One of the things up in the air is what to do with the inventory," a member of Crain said. He said Crain plans to fight Chrysler, especially if tries to seize the inventory.

Crain's news release said none of the other nine franchised auto dealerships owned by Crain CDJ's parent company, Crain Automotive Holdings LLC, will be affected by Chrysler's notice.

Roger Cook of Cook Jeep Chrysler said last Thursday that he hadn't been notified of the impending closures.

Other dealerships around Arkansas on the closure list are Steve Smith Country at 6372 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale; Bob Carver's Cars & Trucks Inc. at 1000 Highway 71 N. in Mena; Jim Bryant Motors Inc. at 3709 S. Thompson in Springdale; Jones Brothers Auto Inc. at 1011 Highway 65 N. in Harrison; Lois George Motor Co. at 514 S. Walnut in Osceola; and Malvern Chrysler Dodge Jeep at 1103 Martin Luther King Blvd.