Leading Auto Industry Executive Jim Perkins Named President & CEO Of Hendrick Automotive Group

11 August 1997
Leading Auto Industry Executive Jim Perkins Named President & CEO Of Hendrick Automotive Group

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 11 -- J.C. "Jim" Perkins, whose long
career in the automotive industry included revitalizing Chevrolet in the early
'90s and launching Lexus for Toyota, has been named President and CEO of
Hendrick Automotive Group, it was announced today.
    The announcement was made by Hendrick Automotive Group owner Rick
Hendrick, who is suffering from leukemia and is currently undergoing
treatments to try and force his disease into remission.
    "Jim is one of the most respected and capable leaders in the industry and
his presence will ensure that we continue to grow and move forward at a time
when my doctors say I must focus all my efforts on fighting my illness," said
Hendrick.  "Jim has been working with us as Vice Chairman of our Executive
Committee for a year now, and is very familiar with our operations and our
people."
    Based in Charlotte, Hendrick Automotive Group is among the nation's
largest retailers with 89 franchises in 10 states and revenues of $2.4 billion
in 1996.
    "Hendrick Automotive Group has a very strong management team, and I am
extremely confident that together we can continue to meet the challenges of
the marketplace and maintain our leadership position in the industry," said
Perkins.  "I appreciate the trust and confidence Rick has in me and look
forward to this challenge."
    Perkins is best known in the industry for his management of Chevrolet from
1989 until last April, 1996 when he retired.  Under his direction, Chevrolet
invigorated its product line with new models as he restored Chevrolet to a
position of prominence with increased sales and vastly improved customer and
dealer relations.  He is also known for managing the highly successful launch
of Lexus for Toyota.
    Perkins, 61, began his career with GM in 1960 and served in a variety of
positions at both Chevrolet and Buick before leaving in 1984 to become Group
Vice President for Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Product Planning for
Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.  By 1989, he had been promoted to Senior Vice
President of Toyota's Lexus Division.  At that point, he was lured back to GM
as the top executive at Chevrolet.
    At Chevrolet, Perkins presided over the launch of 15 new vehicle lines,
all of them well-received by consumers.  He was also credited with increasing
customer satisfaction levels and the morale of Chevrolet employees.  He
created the concept of Total Customer Enthusiasm (TCE), which sharpened both
employee and dealer focus on the needs of customers, and GM eventually adopted
the concept across the board.

SOURCE   Hendrick Automotive Group