"I'm scared, totally scared. I have a family, I have kids," said Finkelstein.
Finkelstein manages Kay's Automotive, an auto-parts distributor in the San Fernando Valley. Here you can find just about any part for any car. The company supplies dealerships and repair shops. But if any of the big three automakers goes bankrupt, parts manufacturers and suppliers like Kay's could also go out of business. Kay's employs about two dozen people.
"I'm worried if we have to close the store because that would take those guys out of work. What are they going to do?" asked Finkelstein.
We've already seen a number of car dealerships disappear. On Monday, Inland Valley Buick in San Bernardino shut down. Employees Tuesday were taking inventory of vehicles on the lot. A GM bankruptcy would ripple through the economy. The company has contracts with 2,000 suppliers and 4,500 manufacturing facilities. All those businesses could be forced to lay off people or close all together.
"I'm worried about my job, 'cause General Motors, if it goes down or goes under, we'll have nothing to do around here," said Kay's employee Vincent Kawesa.
"I don't think it will go under. I'm hoping that they do help out. General Motor has to actually restructure themselves," said Finkelstein.
With or without a government bailout, experts say the big three simply need to sell more cars. But in this economy it's not happening. Hundreds of dealerships across the country like this one and business associated with the car industry will continue to close down.
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