09/14/07
Chrysler LLC Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli has announced the appointment of James Press as Vice Chairman and President.
What is it about Jim Press that sends Detroit area dealers into rapture at the very mention of his name? What you get are tales of the guy's phenomenal attention to detail, and to dealers. That's likely why Chrysler L.L.C. CEO Bob Nardelli hired Toyota's top man in North America as vice chairman and president. Press, 60, will run North American and international sales, global marketing, product strategy, and service and parts. The hire put him at the same level as Vice Chairman and President Thomas LaSorda, who is in charge of manufacturing, procurement and supply, employee relations, global business development and alliances.
By bringing Press to Chrysler, Nardelli gets the industry's supreme dealer guy - by reputation, at least. He's a relentless executive who harps endlessly on the importance of good relations with the retail network. During business trips, Press was famous for aborting jaunts to the airport by suddenly swerving into a Toyota dealership. His first stop was never the general manager's office. Instead he'd make a beeline to the service drive, to chat up technicians and find out what really was going on with his company's cars. Above all, he's a listener, and Chrysler's demoralized dealers say it's been years since anyone from headquarters has really sat down and listened to their concerns.
"Chrysler had been under tremendous pressure the past few years to keep the business moving," said David Butler, general manager of The Suburban Collection in Troy, which includes both Toyota and Chrysler. "For manufacturers, that means keeping production moving. And when inventory is high, that means a lot of pressure on dealers to take unwanted inventory. That creates an antagonistic relationship. "Instead of working with us, it was more a sense of how much we could help them out with their inventory problems, and that doesn't always work in the long run. It's been tough," Butler said. "It's an indication that Cerberus is not going to sit around and spend much time fixing things." New York City-based Cerberus Capital Management L.P. acquired Chrysler on Aug. 3.
Butler said, based on his experience working with Press as a Toyota dealer, "you get the impression ... that he's on your team, and he's trying to make the dealer as successful as possible. The dealer isn't just a necessary evil but a necessary part of the plan." Dan Frost, president of Southfield Chrysler Inc. since it opened in 1990, said he's personally excited about having Press with Chrysler. "My reaction was extremely positive. I said, `Boy, I don't know how Toyota could have screwed up like this. Thank you, Toyota." "This is the best move I've ever seen happen. He knows the industry and how to manipulate it. How much better can it get? Jim is a great addition. I see nothing but good." Frost said Chrysler and its dealers mostly have had a good relationship, but "problems are caused when Chrysler gets desperate and forces us to try to get them out of their desperation. They forget we're independent businessmen. Now this gentleman from Toyota is going to minimize all that."
Plaza Fitness Center Presents GROUP PERSONAL TRAINING (up to 4 people)
Want to get the benefits of a personal trainer but don’t want to go it
alone? Then gather up to 3 friends and be personally trained by Darlene
Daniels, AFAA, ACSM-CPT. Lose Weight, Tone & Tighten, Increase Stamina,
Build Lean Muscle, Lose Body Fat %, Improve Eating Habits, Life Style
Change, Feel Better About Yourself!
What you will need to know:
Bring towel and a bottle of water to each session.
First day will be at least 2 hours to prep for the 10 weeks ahead!
Body Fat measurements will be taken on the first day.
10 weeks, 2 days per week, $299 per person, Checks payable to Darlene
Daniels, CPT. For more info
call 586-405-3595.
OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOU AND ENERGIZE YOU TO CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
FOREVER!
Run-Like-A-Mother Fundraiser
The Parks and Recreation
Committee of Harrison Township is sponsoring the SECOND ANNUAL Run like a
Mother Fundraiser for the programs for parks and recreation
on October 6th, 2007. This is an event for
runners and walkers of all ages, skills and abilities.
Flat, fast course with Time Keeper!
Register Early! Run like a Mother is a unique
course, limiting the number of participants.
5K Walk - 5K Run - 10K
Run - RAIN OR SHINE!
START TIMES:
All participants will start at St. Hubert’s Parish
at Prentiss/16 mile
9:30 am - 10k Run
9:35 am - 5k Walk
9:50 am - 5k Run
*course closes at 11:30 am*
SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Call Cindy at 586-405-7986 or Visit the township
website www.harrison-township.org.
PACKET PICK-UP:
St. Huberts Parish – Harrison Twp
Friday, October 5th
Between 6:00pm and 9:00 pm
Packet pick-up is also available on race day beginning at 7:30 am at St.
Huberts Parish.
*NO RACE PACKETS WILL BE MAILED*
AWARDS FOR BOTH 5K & 10 K RUNS:
Only those officially entered and wearing numbers will be eligible
*Pictures available for purchase:
www.tonywitekphotographer.com
SOLID GOLD SOUND WILL BE OUR ENTERTAINMENT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE
EVENT!!
Lots of raffle items from our sponsors to be
GIVEN AWAY after the run is closed!!
Employee
Recognition
The Huvaere Group
would like to recognize those associates with employment anniversaries in
September:
Barb Capozzo, 4 years; Jack Combs, 1 year; Verona DeLorenzo, 3 years; Miikka
Eerola, 8 years; Jennifer Evans, 3 years; Matt Fernhout, 7 years; Augie
Giordano, 9 years; Matt Goebel, 1 year; Thomas Graham, 1 year; Ed Hayward, 1
year; Ken McCloskey, 2 years; Greg Nicholson, 2 years; Joe Oresti, 23 years;
David Scott, 1 year; Paulette Singer, 2 years; Randy Stone, 3 years; Congratulations!
Career
Day October 16th
In cooperation with the Pankow Center
in Mt. Clemens, we will again be hosting a Career Day October 16th. Students
from the center will spend the day with us learning about different aspects of
the dealership. Department managers will talk to the students about their
respective duties and about job requirements in general. It's very important to
present a professional image to our guests. A big part of that image is
cleanliness. Please be sure your work stations are neat and clean. The look of
your work area not only reflects on the dealership, but on yourself as well.
Take pride in what you do and the company that you work for.
Need a new Mortgage or Re-Mortgage?
Contact Mark Ptaszek, Mortgage Consultant,
and tell him you are a Huvaere Group Associate for special consideration.
Blue Star Mortgage
11815 Lancer
Sterling Hgts, Mi 48313
586 709 6943
bluestartaz@hotmail.com
Ed Hayward
Car Coordinator
Ed's family:
Ed has a wife, Kathleen, and 2 children; Christina
and Edward.
If he wasn't at work, Ed would be:
Vacationing.
Ed's hometown:
Sterling Heights, MI.
Ed's favorite place to travel:
Las Vegas. To visit, not gamble.
Ed's first job:
Proof Operator, Bank of Commerce, Richmond.
Ed's favorite television
show is:
ER
Ed's favorite place to dine is:
Guilano's.
Ed's favorite vehicle is:
1970 Boss 302 Mustang
Something you may not already know about
Ed:
Ed likes to entertain family and friends.
Thank you Ed for being such an asset to The Huvaere Group!
Today's Motivational Quote
"To accomplish great things, we must dream
as well as act."
Anatole France (1844 - 1924)