Jim Press finds a home

[F&I Pro]

According to A/N Nissan has hired Jim Press in an advisory capacity and states he's been on the job for 4 months....Let's hope he doesn't do to Nissan Dealers what he did to Oldco.

[Txflyer]

I was sort of hoping he'd find a home in Leavenworth, KS. ;)

[steve_biegler]

How do these people get hired on after what happend? There are so many good people out there. I wonder what his annual salary is?

[Noah]

How do these people get hired on after what happend? There are so many good people out there. I wonder what his annual salary is?

I agree with this post wholeheartedly. There are so many re-treads in the automotive industry; execs who still manage to find a follow-up exec role with another mfr after they've been huge failures in previous roles. Makes ZERO sense to me.

[XDCX]

I haven't had a chance to read the report in AN yet but I can't imagine what Jim Press could do for Nissan that would add value.

I wonder if the person who made the hiring decision ever heard the Conference Call where Press threatened the Chrysler Dealers with his famous "they'll never forget" quote?

[srt]

Well at least he got a "soft" landing.

[possum]

Truly amazing. I can't imagine what the thoughts are here.

[XDCX]

Well, I finally had a chance to read a few different reports about Nissan's interest in Jim Press and it still doesn't make sense to me. :confused: Of all the reports I read, I thought this one from Fortune was the most informative - click here (http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/14/autos/jim_press_nissan.fortune/)

The Fortune article indicated - "Press would provide a soothing presence and allow for the elevation of Carlos Tavares, who currently runs North American operations, into a bigger job. Tavares, a smart, aggressive operator, has been mentioned as a successor to CEO Ghosn."

I can understand why Ghosn would want to groom his successor and it makes sense to lessen Tavares' day-to-day responsibilities, I just don't understand why Nissan thinks Press is the right person to help them fill the void.

As I've stated before, I was a HUGE fan of Jim Press and I was excited when Cerberus hired him away from Toyota. That said, Press' greatest asset was his ability to motivate his field force and his dealers - that ability is now history.

In my opinion, Jim Press flat out lied to the Chrysler dealers in the early months of 2009 and he continued his deceit when he testified before Congress. Jim Press does nothing for Nissan other than tarnish their image. :mad:

[possum]

We thought Press was "hired away" from Toyota, but now, with the reports of all the past mismanagement of Toyota, it makes you wonder.

Mr. Tavares had better watch his back.

[XDCX]

I read a blog entry from one of the Automotive News editors, Dave Guilford, who expresses his opinion that Nissan made a "shrewd move" by hiring Jim Press as a consultant.

As it relates to Chrysler, the Mr. Guilford mistakenly believes that it's only the rejected dealers who harbor any resentment toward Press. Clearly this is another example where the old-school automotive press is out of touch with what's actually happening in the real world.

[crowe]

I read a blog entry from one of the Automotive News editors, Dave Guilford, who expresses his opinion that Nissan made a "shrewd move" by hiring Jim Press as a consultant.

As it relates to Chrysler, the Mr. Guilford mistakenly believes that it's only the rejected dealers who harbor any resentment toward Press. Clearly this is another example where the old-school automotive press is out of touch with what's actually happening in the real world.

Our toughest competitor is a Nissan store 15 minutes away.
I think we just got another competitive edge.

We were not terminated & our blood was boiling from Press’s threats & lies.

[79LilRedExpress]

We were not terminated & our blood was boiling from Press’s threats & lies.

Now we will see who has the longest memory... JP or us.

We know who he is, and we won't forget what he's said and done... EVER.

I'm just glad that we still had a few friends left from the old days (most took the buy-out) that kept us from the GrimReaper

[XDCX]

I read a blog entry from one of the Automotive News editors, Dave Guilford, who expresses his opinion that Nissan made a "shrewd move" by hiring Jim Press as a consultant.

As it relates to Chrysler, the Mr. Guilford mistakenly believes that it's only the rejected dealers who harbor any resentment toward Press. Clearly this is another example where the old-school automotive press is out of touch with what's actually happening in the real world.

I finally had a chance to get caught up and posted a response to Mr. Guilford's editorial:



Dave,

While you're certainly entitled to your opinion, I think your assessment that Press is held in poor regard by only "some" of the Chrysler dealers lacks foundation.

In October, 2008 Jim Press lied to ALL of the Chrysler dealers when he told them about Chrysler's bright future with Cerberus and the 10 new vehicles that would be released in 2010. Thanks to testimony in Chrysler's bankruptcy case we now know that LaSorda was circling the globe trying to sell-off Chrysler's automotive assets to any willing buyer. Press knew the facts but chose to lie - something the Nissan dealers should take note of.

Following that, Press had the famous Conference Call where he threatened ALL the Chrysler dealers suggesting the factory would "never forget" those dealers who failed to take their wholesale allocation.

In my opinion an OEM executive can't be a "dealer guy" when he lies and threatens his dealers. Nissan's decision to hire Jim Press was a mistake - it will be interesting to see how long it takes Nissan and their dealers to figure that out

[XDCX]

Apparently an editorial last week from one of his reporters singing the praises of Jim Press wasn't enough. This week, Keith Crain weighs in with his support of Nissan's decision to hire Jim Press.

While I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I'd like to hear Press' supporters address the allegations of lies and intimidation. Are we just supposed to forget what happened in 2008 and 2009 and pretend it never happened?

As I've stated countless times, I was a HUGE Jim Press fan but my opinion changed based on what Press said and did while he was at Chrysler.

I wonder, does Keith Crain not know what happened while Press was at Chrysler, or is it that he doesn't care?

[possum]

They are probably soliciting Nissan advertising money, so lets all sing the praises!

[Txflyer]

They are probably soliciting Nissan advertising money, so lets all sing the praises!

Bingo! I think we have a winner.

[Ralph]

Keith Crain and Automotive News are no longer the "voice of the industry", they're the "voice of the manufacturers." I think I've seen that born out over the past few years. In this age of political intimidation, I think the powers that be have also gotten to the ink-stained press rooms of the AN. Where once the manufacturers feared getting a bad story in the press now they simply strong arm the press into saying and believing the BS they wish to have written. And journalism these days being the way it is, they swallow anything and everything put on a hook. Just an opinion.

[XDCX]

Keith Crain and Automotive News are no longer the "voice of the industry", they're the "voice of the manufacturers."

I agree. In fact, I think you can include the NADA in that category too.

Concerning Chrysler and Automotive News, I think part of the problem regarding critical journalism can be attributed to the "fanboy" dealers who parrot everything Auburn Hills says. It's hard for a reporter to be critical of a $55K showroom package when a National Dealer Council member touts the package as adding value to his franchise.

[XDCX]

I was checking IP Addresses this morning and noticed there was someone from Toyota's Torrence office reading this thread.

Too bad they couldn't add their comments - from what I've heard most Toyota employees and dealers have lost respect for Jim Press.

[steve_biegler]

I was checking IP Addresses this morning and noticed there was someone from Toyota's Torrence office reading this thread.

Too bad they couldn't add their comments - from what I've heard most Toyota employees and dealers have lost respect for Jim Press.
To quote a great american......Gomer Pyle........Suprise, Suprise, Surprise!!!!!!

[possum]

Update..........

Roger Clemens has been indicted for "misleading", and perjury before Congress. Several Senators were quoated today saying that "anyone who misleads, or gives incorrect testimony to Congress must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law". He is looking at probably 21 months in prison if convicted.

Where is Mr. Press, Mr. Henderson, or even the members of the Auto Task Force these days?

[Ralph]

Oh, the law only applies to whomever the government deems evil. Hell, Press, Henderson and the task force won! They helped the government. They did their duty in paving the way towards a successful "fundamental change" of corporate law in this country.

Before those guys spoke, we had that silly archaic system where people who invested in companies, people who owned franchises, people who put their blood sweat and tears into their own property, had rights. Whew...glad that old system is gone, huh? That system of laws was just as outdated as that other old rag printed on hemp paper that spells out the limits of government. That "Old English" written, mumbley, hard to read Constitution went down the toilet along with the concept of personal rights.

Press is a God in the new America now. He championed the new style of leader, say whatever sounds good to whoever is listening. The ends justify the means. Do and say whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. The rule of law now bends to accept some crimes and then bends back around to denounce others. What we needed was a system where the law changes to allow some things that...are simply "best for us, the minions." Luckily we have elected thousands of "good people" who are working day and night, (usually on phony jaunts on airplanes using our tax dollars) to ensure this new way forward continues.

Without Press, Henderson, the Task Force and the majority in government...hell...where would the UAW, SEIU, and the other unions be? Think of all those unfunded benefits they deserve. Have a heart, please Possum! Without Press and his cronies some of us wouldn't have had the honor of giving up our livelihoods, our futures, employees and assets to pass on to our kids. many of us would still be evil business owners stealing the wealth from the masses, hoarding it for our own demented whims. And the poor union bosses would possibly be reduced to vacations in the car rather than on planes, they'd be forced to eat pasta and sauce rather than the caviar and prime rib they've grown used to, they'd have to work for a frigg'n living rather than sit in their Ivory Towers they deserve.

(For those new to my rants, I'm being quite facetious)

[chryslersrt8]

when I was interviewed by Fox Business News right after the Sigtarp findings, I asked the judge what about all who testified under oath and now have been proven to be liars. The judge said there would have been raminfications if those who testified were in from of the House or Senate and their own committees. Since the decisions to close were made by the testimony to an appointed group not made up of House and Senate members there is no going back. How ridiculous! Here the US is up in arms because a baseball player may or may nor have lied about using a drug and no one cares of the thousands of jobs lost because of lies made and created.

Isn't it amazing who you can lie to and get away with it?

[XDCX]

Here the US is up in arms because a baseball player may or may nor have lied about using a drug and no one cares of the thousands of jobs lost because of lies made and created.

Isn't it amazing who you can lie to and get away with it?

It's not just amazing, it's depressing. :mad:

The foundation for cutting dealers was the concept that having too many dealers cost GM and Chrysler money. It was a lie, everyone knew it was a lie and now over a year later no one cares.

Oh, the law only applies to whomever the government deems evil. Hell, Press, Henderson and the task force won!

Although dripping with sarcasm, Ralph's got it 100% correct. The political process that was running this show has no use for the truth, they're just counting down the days until GM completes their IPO so they can tell the tax payers (voters) how smart they were.

[Ralph]

Sorry X, I have too much time to think running this cash register.

News Flash:
Dateline: Portsmouth NH,

"Important Auto Dealer hits the phone booth and comes out unimportant store clerk. News Crew is on route to the scene of the crash. Fully story at 11:00."

[XDCX]

"Important Auto Dealer hits the phone booth and comes out unimportant store clerk. News Crew is on route to the scene of the crash. Fully story at 11:00."

I hope this quote is dripping with sarcasm too. :rolleyes:

If you ever find yourself in a moment of self-doubt, just ask yourself where you and your former employees would be today if you had a Ford franchise instead of Chrysler. For that matter, almost any other franchise would have given you a better chance for survival than Chrysler.

America's been faced with the worst recession since the Great Depression and the Chrysler dealers are faced with a management team that's focused on "hibernation" and keeping the plants open by building rental cars.

As a final thought, if you ever get lonely for Chrysler and Auburn Hills just read the classifieds in Automotive News - there are multiple stores available.

[steve_biegler]

I hope this quote is dripping with sarcasm too. :rolleyes:

If you ever find yourself in a moment of self-doubt, just ask yourself where you and your former employees would be today if you had a Ford franchise instead of Chrysler. For that matter, almost any other franchise would have given you a better chance for survival than Chrysler.

America's been faced with the worst recession since the Great Depression and the Chrysler dealers are faced with a management team that's focused on "hibernation" and keeping the plants open by building rental cars.

As a final thought, if you ever get lonely for Chrysler and Auburn Hills just read the classifieds in Automotive News - there are multiple stores available.
How much are they paying to take them? [more sarcasm]

[XDCX]

How much are they paying to take them? [more sarcasm]

If you're referring to the Chrysler franchises there's a broker advertising CJD store in a newer facility that's for sale below cost - almost like negative Blue Sky. :rolleyes:

In fairness, I'm sure the pricing is more reflective of the poor commercial real estate market than it is for the value of a Chrysler franchise.

[Ralph]

When I was shopping my place over the last few years with a dealership broker...I was told zero for the franchise, almost zero for the facility and only current market on the land. And I had a conforming facility with the dopey arch and all.

[XDCX]

And I had a conforming facility with the dopey arch and all.

But Auburn Hills loves the dopey arch..... :rolleyes:

Their research shows that between the dopey arch and the $55K showroom package the customers are so impressed with the dealer's facility they forget to negotiate.

[crowe]

But Auburn Hills loves the dopey arch..... :rolleyes:

Their research shows that between the dopey arch and the $55K showroom package the customers are so impressed with the dealer's facility they forget to negotiate.

I guess I should have signed up, It probably would have saved the deal that just walked today because they cut the Gr. Caravan rebate from 1750 to 1000. Oh well at least we got that phone up to show up for the appointment. If they had been SGS we’d have racked some points.