the internet changed the playing field for dealerships because chrysler corporation (now fiat chrysler automobiles) allocates more cars to dealerships that sell more, a policy that rewards dealers who are able to boost their sales. despite the concerns of competing dealerships chrysler continued to ship even more vehicles to dave smith motors, and assured other dealers that they could increase sales by improved customer service and referrals. the other dealerships were not pleased. in 1998 twenty-five chrysler dealerships in five states threatened to boycott chrysler corporation if they did not reduce the number of cars they allocated to dave smith motors. the federal trade commission considered their boycott illegal and the group settled the charges before the boycott began.