At Dean Bender Chevrolet, employees waited in anticipation for the 3 p.m. FedEx delivery, said owner Dean Bender. The delivery person showed up on time, carrying only one small package.

It was a nail-biting moment, Bender said, when they looked at the package.

It didn't contain a letter, though. It wasn't even from GM. It was a ring one of the sales people had earned, commemorating her work. Nothing more.

"She was happy to get her ring back,"Bender said. And happy to not get a letter, yet.

As General Motors reels toward bankruptcy, dealers throughout western North Dakota sat on the edges of their seats, waiting for a form letter that may put the brakes on their future.

Letters were sent to 1,100 dealers throughout the United States via FedEx on May 15, explaining that, due to sales, customer service, performance or a variety of other reasons, those dealerships may close by 2010. Unlike Chrysler, there is no concrete, published list of dealers that have been asked to shut down.

At least two dealers in North Dakota received the GMletter, Offutt Motors in Lisbon and Pfeifle Chevrolet in Wishek.

The American auto maker is under heavy financial duress and pressure to restructure; the first 1,100 letters sent out could be the first of many, industry experts say.

None of the GM dealers in Bismarck-Mandan received a letter, those owners and managers said.

Wentz Chevrolet in Napoleon is safe, too. Charbonneau Buick, GMCChrysler, Jeep and Dodge managed to dodge both Chrysler and GM's lists, although Chrysler had indicated it wanted its dealers to only carry its products. RZ Motors in Hettinger isn't budging yet and Hazen Motors has said they are safe.

Pfeifle Chevrolet received their letter on Friday and they're going to appeal the decision.

Rob Pfeifle said his dealership - a family-owned business that's survived three generations - is just nine years away from hitting its 100-year mark. Their sales have been solid and their customer service is good, he said. In fact, the form letter wasn't clear about exactly why their dealership was chosen.

He said the letters don't necessarily dictate the fate of the dealerships; if the company files for bankruptcy, he said, someone could buy them all up, or all of the dealerships would face some sort of restructuring.

And he's concerned about the distance between rural dealerships and the impact the closure would have on families and the 15 employees.

"It's important, keeping jobs in North Dakota,"he said.

In fact, the state's congressional delegation issued a letter to President Barack Obama, outlining their concerns about the closures. Eight Chrysler dealerships in North Dakota may either close or no longer sell the brand, and, so far, the two GMdealers in the state have been told they may close.

"Closing dealerships in North Dakota will mean many of our constituents will have to travel an additional 50 miles or more for warranty work or if their vehicles are recalled,"the congressional letter said. "Moreover, many of these local GMor Chrysler dealers are the largest private employers in the rural communities they serve."

The congressional letter said neither auto maker considered the necessity of maintaining a presence in rural America.

Pfeifle is not deterred by GM's decision and is determined to push forward.

"We've got nine years to go for our 100 years,"he said. "My goal is to get to 100 years and beyond."

(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or crystal.reid@;bismarcktribune.com.)