Chrysler cancels reward meeting for its top dealers

Chrysler LLC canceled its annual reward meeting for top-performing dealers for the first time in decades as it seeks to cut costs in the tough auto market. The meeting was to include an all-expenses paid trip to the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, from March 15 through March 19, Chrysler said. The automaker offers such a trip to its top dealers every year.

The suspension, first reported by Dow Jones on Tuesday, was a mutual decision made between Chrysler and its dealers in the fall, Chrysler spokesman Stuart Schorr said.

"The decision was made between our leadership and our dealer council that, given the state of the market and the financial challenges the company faces, it made sense not to hold this year's reward meeting," Schorr said.

Dave Kelleher, who owns two Chrysler dealerships in the Philadelphia area, said he was invited to the past two reward meetings and would have gone to this one as well.

"You know what, we'll have other opportunities — hopefully in a much better time to enjoy ourselves," he said.