CEO of Nissan Honored as Most Powerful Person in Automotive Industry!

TXSTYLE · 01-05-05, 12:53 PM

This is what I was mentioning in my M45 thread:

Quote:

Motor Trend Feb. issue listed the top 50 most powerful people within the automotive industry. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan was listed the #1 person and is a "cost killer, revolutionary..." "Nissan now has the highest margin of any mainstream automaker and one of the coolest model ranges: 350Z, Altima, Murano, Infiniti G35, M45, & FX35/45, and upcoming Cube & Skyline GTR".

This is really good for us all guys! As manufacturers such as Nissan/Infiniti build and sale "Hot, Desireable, and Solid" products much less than the others, they MUST take notice and comply/compete (to an extent) to remain competitive.

AdrianXT · 01-05-05, 01:07 PM

Well, first of all, this is MT we're talking about, so this doesn't surprised me. To say that anyone other than Fujio Cho is the most powerful man in the auto industry is ridiculous. He could walk up to Ghosn tomorrow and say, "You're fired, we're taking over Nissan and Renault and burning them to the ground and there's nothing you can do about it." Don't forget, if Toyota decides they don't want competition they have the luxury of being in a position to get rid of it. THAT'S power.

1SICKLEX · 01-05-05, 03:37 PM

This is good/bad. Ghosen basically did the dirty work that Nissan didn't want to to. CUT PLANTS, CUT JOBS. He then has Renault/Nissan sharing EVERYTHING. So yes, they are in the black now. Nissan is not #1, so yes their turnaround is incredible but they have a long way to go. Sit in a NIssan for 20 seconds for instance.
Even though Toyota is the powerhouse worldwide and is #1 in Japan with a 40% market share, Nissan is the favorite. Ghosen even has a comic book after him.

Ghosen-good news for NIssan, bad news for everyone else.
1. Nissan/Infiniti is growing and taking some sales away from other brands.
2. If the auto industry goes the way of 1 platform, 1 engine, make your car stylish and to hell with quality and the interior, we are all in trouble.

mmarshall · 01-05-05, 03:54 PM

This may sound a little facetious, guys, but Chris Bangle, not Ghosn or Bob Lutz, HAS to be the most powerful single person in the industry. Anybody that can design and produce the junk he has and STILL keep his job.................

( Notwithstanding our CL petition to dump him)

2jzgte · 01-05-05, 04:16 PM

Ghosn is arguably a financial model for the world in all industry. He literally changed the way much business in Japan on the whole is conducted. He has no power, it's influence and inspiration.

1SICKLEX · 01-05-05, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2jzgte

Ghosn is arguably a financial model for the world in all industry. He literally changed the way much business in Japan on the whole is conducted. He has no power, it's influence and inspiration.

He does have power. He runs Nissan AND Renault now. Credit is due to him, he turned Nissan around from the red and kept Infintii from going out of business. He HAD to make those tough decisions. Nissan is forever in his debt.

AdrianXT · 01-05-05, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2jzgte

He literally changed the way much business in Japan on the whole is conducted.

BWAHAHAHA...*ahem*...Um, who came up with this? I don't see Toyota or Honda cutting jobs of slapping questionable materials into their cars all of a sudden...

mmarshall · 01-05-05, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

He does have power. He runs Nissan AND Renault now. Credit is due to him, he turned Nissan around from the red and kept Infintii from going out of business. He HAD to make those tough decisions. Nissan is forever in his debt.

Yes...he DOES deserve credit for what he did at Nissan, but I'm not sure that he deserves any more credit than what Finbarr O'Neill did at Hyundai or what Ford did when they bought up Jaguar and Land Rover to keep them from folding, or when GM did the same for Saab. The auto industry today is full of examples of larger companies buying up smaller ones to try and keep them afloat.

1SICKLEX · 01-05-05, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Yes...he DOES deserve credit for what he did at Nissan, but I'm not sure that he deserves any more credit than what Finbarr O'Neill did at Hyundai or what Ford did when they bought up Jaguar and Land Rover to keep them from folding, or when GM did the same for Saab. The auto industry today is full of examples of larger companies buying up smaller ones to try and keep them afloat.

That is a very good point. And quite frankly, its HARDER to stay on top or be #1 then getting there. Kudos goes to Toyota chairman and Lexus GM DannY Clements for not faultering and continuing excellence year after year, after year.

2jzgte · 01-05-05, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

He does have power. He runs Nissan AND Renault now. Credit is due to him, he turned Nissan around from the red and kept Infintii from going out of business. He HAD to make those tough decisions. Nissan is forever in his debt.

I meant to emphasize his influence far outweighs his actual power. I should have said his power is not as important.