Two Bend car dealers who lost their respective General Motors and Chrysler lines expressed interest in the automakers’ announcements Thursday to reconsider some closings.

And the representative of a third, now-closed dealership in Redmond said the companies’ offer may help its legal battle.

Bob Thomas, whose family’s car business began in Bend in 1916, unsuccessfully appealed GM’s decision to sever the dealership’s franchise agreements. The president of Bob Thomas Car Co. said he would consider talking to GM again.

“I think if there were an opportunity to be reconsidered, I think we would have to take a look at it,” said Thomas, who also has a Honda line.

Matt Thomas, co-owner of Thomas Sales and Service, in Bend, said his company has joined the group of dealers challenging the closures and lobbying Congress.

Thomas had nearly paid off his Dodge franchise when Chrysler took it away, he said.

“If they did announce that today,” he said Thursday, “that’s good news for me.”

The dealership, now called Subaru of Bend, also lost its Chrysler line, Thomas said.

Dave Hamilton Chevrolet-Jeep, in Redmond, lost its GM and Chrysler lines. It’s now closed, said attorney Ed Fitch, who represents the company, but its legal fight continues. So if the company is willing to negotiate, Fitch said, it might help.

— Tim Doran, The Bulletin