Jo Ann Buckles, of Sunbury, said she is also against the bailout.

"I think the government should check with the companies and find out why they're having problems," rather than just giving them money, she said.

Ron Ettinger, of Mifflinburg, who owns a Ford SUV, said he attributes the American auto manufacturers' problems to poor management.

"I think if they (The House of Representatives) reject the bailout, the car companies will eventually go bankrupt," he added.

If they do go bankrupt, the companies may have a chance to restructure management staff and debt to become competitive in the market again, said Michael Moohr, associate professor of economics at Bucknell University.

Moohr said local dealers should remain hopeful if the bailout does not get approved -- it may lead to the Big Three to develop better products. However, the dealerships must still grapple with consumers unable to secure credit to buy a car or those too nervous about the economy to buy a new vehicle.

"Those are things local dealers can't do much to overcome," he said.

With about one out of every 10 jobs in America related to the auto industry, Zimmerman said the bailout would have a ripple affect on blue collar and white collar workers.

Mertz said: "That's why it's so important the industry is strong and survives is because of all the jobs just from the material aspect to the people that work at the dealership level."

Mertz said the plan at his dealership is to encourage the sales staff to keep a positive attitude and be the best they can be at their jobs, despite what happens with the bailout plan.

"We're not worried," he said, concerning layoffs.

When asked if the success of Danville's Hawkins Chevrolet is contingent on the bailout, dealership general sales manager Robert Hunter said he could not comment, but that sales have remained consistent. He did say he was concerned about the bailout as an American and not just an employee of Chevrolet.

"The ramifications of a failing auto industry would be widespread and go beyond Hawkins Chevrolet," he said.