Toyota Exec moves to Chrysler

[Fast Too]

What do you guys think of this news

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090600925.html

 

[Affatica]

I think he wanted a complimentary brand new 600 hp viper.

 

[mike & juli]

I think it may be a very smart move on Cerberus's part...look how well Toyota is doing....maybe LaSorda and crew can learn something about quality again. ~juli

 

[Vipermann]

Oh pleeeze, somebody photochop the front of a Tundra on a Viper ...

 

[Warfang]

ugh... wanst it a toyota designer that designed the Gen3? We don't need any more unimaginative people on board.

 

[mike & juli]

ugh... wanst it a toyota designer that designed the Gen3? We don't need any more unimaginative people on board.

Thank you, you just reinforced my position!!!! (On Toyota~~~not to get you going again with offending my delicate ears ~~~ ) teeheeeeeeee~~~~~juli

 

[Vypr Phil]

Toyota COO Jim Press hired by Chrysler

"In a stunning move, Chrysler LCC announced Thursday that it hired Toyota's top American executive to serve as its president.
Chrysler said Jim Press, president and chief operating officer of Toyota North America, is joining Chrysler as vice chairman and president. Press' resignation will become effective Sept. 14, said Toyota officials, who have already named Shigeru Hayakawa, currently TMA's executive vice president, as Press' replacement.
Press, one of the most successful salesmen in automotive history, had spent 37 years with the Japanese automaker's operations in the U.S., becoming Toyota's top executive in North America last year. Earlier this summer, he also became the first American to take a seat on Toyota's board of directors.
The announcement of Press' appointment came only a month after Cerberus Capital Management, Chrysler's new owners, had recruited former Home Depot CEO Robert Nardelli to serve as the chairman and top executive of Chrysler LLC."

Full story:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Aut...ocker_Toyotas_Press_On_Board.S173.A13322.html

Interesting and bold move, as long as it doesn't lead to a "Hybrid Viper"....

Phil

 

[mike & juli]

Re: Toyota COO Jim Press hired by Chrysler

Yep--this is a different post, but there is another similar one today....I think having someone onboard from Toyota can only be a GOOD thing...they certainly know quality...here's hoping nothing touches the Viper though. ~juli

 

[Photog1]

ugh... wanst it a toyota designer that designed the Gen3? We don't need any more unimaginative people on board.

Stupid comment!

 

[Warfang]

Stupid comment!

It's an opinion... one that many people hold. To go from outrageous and curvy to subdued and angular is pretty unimaginative to me. Then to go back and slap on some GTS cues to the coupe, was pure laziness. Sure, it's still one of the better looking cars out there (one that I would still buy), but from a distance, looks like a z06 or s2000. For the near-blind... they look identical.

 

[Smog Dog]

It's an opinion... one that many people hold. To go from outrageous and curvy to subdued and angular is pretty unimaginative to me. Then to go back and slap on some GTS cues to the coupe, was pure laziness. Sure, it's still one of the better looking cars out there (one that I would still buy), but from a distance, looks like a z06 or s2000. For the near-blind... they look identical.

Yeah, the new Vipers as pretty subdued........and there's no doubt the SRT designers are a bunch of lazy slouches...

 

[DodgeViper01]

ugh... wanst it a toyota designer that designed the Gen3? We don't need any more unimaginative people on board.

I believe it was a Honda S2000 designer.

 

[mike & juli]

I believe it was a Honda S2000 designer.

Oh, so a HONDA S2000 designer helped with the GenIII design, not Toyota??? I am getting confused again!! ahhhhhhhhh!!!! (Toyota's Celica motor is in one of my 2nd favorite cars--Lotus Elise!! GREAT design THERE...can't beat it...well, yeah, you can--with OUR VIPERS!!~~~~) ~juli

 

[DodgeViper01]

haha. Just kidding. Seriously it is Toyota:

http://forums.viperclub.org/showthread.php?t=543378&highlight=HONDA

 

[mike & juli]

haha. Just kidding. Seriously it is Toyota:
http://forums.viperclub.org/showthread.php?t=543378&highlight=HONDA

Wow, that was an interesting thread back then!!! Good memory for archives, Keith!
(I KNEW it was Toyota!!!) Thank you~~~juli
**So what're you guys doing for D's birthday, anything special???? Or should I ask his buddy, Adrian????

 

[slaughterj]

It's an opinion... one that many people hold. To go from outrageous and curvy to subdued and angular is pretty unimaginative to me. Then to go back and slap on some GTS cues to the coupe, was pure laziness. Sure, it's still one of the better looking cars out there (one that I would still buy), but from a distance, looks like a z06 or s2000. For the near-blind... they look identical.

It was a stupid comment. This new guy is a top exec being brought in for quality, etc., not a car designer, so regardless of the nature/origin of the SRT-10 design, it isn't relevant, thus the comment was stupid.

 

[Warfang]

Yeah, the new Vipers as pretty subdued........and there's no doubt the SRT designers are a bunch of lazy slouches...

Same body... different hood. From a design standpoint... very safe (subdued) lines. Not much that screams outrageous other than the 08 hood. That's why it looks like other cars. I say again... still a very awesome car, just doesn't have classic lines like the gen1-2. Some people prefer that, and that's ok.

 

[Warfang]

It was a stupid comment. This new guy is a top exec being brought in for quality, etc., not a car designer, so regardless of the nature/origin of the SRT-10 design, it isn't relevant, thus the comment was stupid.

It was sarcasm... something prevalent on these forums... or were you not aware after 3800 posts? Lighten up chuckles.

 

[slaughterj]

I think you may need to look up the definition of sarcasm - either you don't understand it or how to generate it.

 

[Warfang]

I think you may need to look up the definition of sarcasm - either you don't understand it or how to generate it.

yawn

 

[RoadiJeff]

To go from outrageous and curvy to subdued and angular is pretty unimaginative to me. Then to go back and slap on some GTS cues to the coupe, was pure laziness. Sure, it's still one of the better looking cars out there (one that I would still buy), but from a distance, looks like a z06 or s2000.

Amen to that. The other day I was driving along the Interstate near St. Louis on my way to work and saw two newer looking "Vettes" in my mirror with Michigan plates. I wondered if they were the newer 505hp Z06. I studied them off and on for a minute or so in the mirror. I thought they didn't look too bad but certainly not as exotic as a Viper.

When they went past me I was genuinely surprised to see "Viper" on the rear bumper.

 

[black mamba1]

The Gen 3 came out before the C6 Vette model, the Vette copied us, not vice versa. The Gen 3 Viper is about lines, aggressive bold lines. We see Vipers almost daily so we get used to the "shock" factor when we see them. But a non Viper owner is immediately shocked and awed when they see Vipers. I have absolutely nothing but the utmost respect for the Gen 2, they are gorgeous. But so are the Gen 3's. The Gen 3's are bolder and meaner, faster, rougher...the Gen 2's are prettier and sexier.
Yes, the Vipers are confused w/ Vettes many times, but like I said earlier, its b/c they copied us. The same argument goes on in the Lambo community. While I think the Diablo is much more attractive than the Murci, the Diablo is only half the car.....
So, yes it is about opinion, but it is also about functionality.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Wow, that was an interesting thread back then!!! Good memory for archives, Keith!
(I KNEW it was Toyota!!!) Thank you~~~juli
**So what're you guys doing for D's birthday, anything special???? Or should I ask his buddy, Adrian????

haha. I have a good memory for weird things.

By the way, I do not think anything went on for his B-Day. He probably partied hard with Mamba Dave knowing him. I have not seen D on here in a while.

 

[slaughterj]

yawn

Better get some rest so you can come up with a decent response.

 

[PatentLaw]

Back on track....

The question is a very good one. Why would seasoned executives, give up stability, for a "shot" in the dark at a company that is economically failing?

Think it over.......(jeopardy music).

Perhaps, and just perhaps, it is for one of two reasons.
1) The executives are really not that good and were going to be forced out anyway.
2) The executives know something that we don't.

If it were "option 2",.....what do they know? Problems at Toyota? Or perhaps that the investment group is going to make even bigger splashes.....maybe like....BUY ANOTHER CAR COMPANY?

Yes....that is right. Perhaps they can pick up Jaguar and Land Rover for, well, a very very good deal. These executives could be in charge of more than they ever dreamed of at their former places of employment. Just a thought.

 

[Warfang]

Back on track....

The question is a very good one. Why would seasoned executives, give up stability, for a "shot" in the dark at a company that is economically failing?

Think it over.......(jeopardy music).

Perhaps, and just perhaps, it is for one of two reasons.
1) The executives are really not that good and were going to be forced out anyway.
2) The executives know something that we don't.

If it were "option 2",.....what do they know? Problems at Toyota? Or perhaps that the investment group is going to make even bigger splashes.....maybe like....BUY ANOTHER CAR COMPANY?

Yes....that is right. Perhaps they can pick up Jaguar and Land Rover for, well, a very very good deal. These executives could be in charge of more than they ever dreamed of at their former places of employment. Just a thought.

#3. More money than what Toyota was paying and a hefty golden parachute, which would assure him all the money in the world whether he succeeds or not.

 

[Warfang]

The Gen 3 came out before the C6 Vette model, the Vette copied us, not vice versa. The Gen 3 Viper is about lines, aggressive bold lines. We see Vipers almost daily so we get used to the "shock" factor when we see them. But a non Viper owner is immediately shocked and awed when they see Vipers. I have absolutely nothing but the utmost respect for the Gen 2, they are gorgeous. But so are the Gen 3's. The Gen 3's are bolder and meaner, faster, rougher...the Gen 2's are prettier and sexier.
Yes, the Vipers are confused w/ Vettes many times, but like I said earlier, its b/c they copied us. The same argument goes on in the Lambo community. While I think the Diablo is much more attractive than the Murci, the Diablo is only half the car.....
So, yes it is about opinion, but it is also about functionality.

All true. But if the lines weren't so safe, no one would be in their right mind to copy it. Vette copying the Viper is chalked up to "evolutionary coincidences". If you wore a blue suit one day and the next day 2 other people wore blue suits... well, blue suits are common. But if you wore a bright red ****-coat one day and the next day 2 other guys did... you can be pretty certain they copied you.

...unless you and the copycats happen to be pimps.

 

[Warfang]

Better get some rest so you can come up with a decent response.

Nice and rested now and.... YAAAAWWNNN. Yep, you still bore me.

 

[mike & juli]

haha. I have a good memory for weird things.
By the way, I do not think anything went on for his B-Day. He probably partied hard with Mamba Dave knowing him. I have not seen D on here in a while.

Hey, don't we all recall 'weird' things!! That was pretty good though, Keith!!!
D was on the other day (on his birthday) saying it was NOT his b'day...though he was jesting, as it said on the bottom of the main discussion forum it WAS his birthday..he turned 34. He wrote back that his b'day was in June...NOT!!! haha...hope he enjoyed it partying with Dave. Hope you are settled back in and a sigh of relief over what had happened with you and those very bad incidents you went thru. Glad all is well now. Okay--on topic~~~~Toyota/good move for Cerberus...IMHO, but we shall see, won't we?
~juli

 

[slaughterj]

#3. More money than what Toyota was paying and a hefty golden parachute, which would assure him all the money in the world whether he succeeds or not.

Exactly. More money AND no responsiblity for reporting quarterly numbers to the public and the ability to manage the business with a more long-term vision than 3 month blocks.