Dick Pulls Out!
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Suzuka Master
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Dick Pulls Out!
Some of this message was in another thread, but I thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on Dick Collivers move from head at American Honda to an advisory role.
The previous guy at Acura was Rich Thomas. He is the one who axed the Legend nameplate (all the names actually). He also brought us the first gen CL, the first Acura to be designed and built in the US. They tried to use an old Civic plant for those cars but found that the tolerances (and paint) were no up to snuff. I even remember the project leaders name: Charlie Barker. Wonder where he is now? Thomas also introduced first gen RL and TL (though I suspect the RL was a Japan creation), and brought us the unloved SLX (Isuzu Trooper).
Colliver's first car for Acura was probably the 2G TL, and then followed up with the MDX. He got the G1 TSX here, stewarded the G3 TL, G2 MDX and G2 RL. I heard he was opposed to the V-6 in the G2 RL, insisting instead on a V-8, but he lost that battle.
On the down side, he was also responsible for the RDX and for 'stealing' the SSX (or whatever it would have been called) from Acura to make it the S2000 world wide. In the end, I think that Colliver can count more hits than misses. What do you think?
The previous guy at Acura was Rich Thomas. He is the one who axed the Legend nameplate (all the names actually). He also brought us the first gen CL, the first Acura to be designed and built in the US. They tried to use an old Civic plant for those cars but found that the tolerances (and paint) were no up to snuff. I even remember the project leaders name: Charlie Barker. Wonder where he is now? Thomas also introduced first gen RL and TL (though I suspect the RL was a Japan creation), and brought us the unloved SLX (Isuzu Trooper).
Colliver's first car for Acura was probably the 2G TL, and then followed up with the MDX. He got the G1 TSX here, stewarded the G3 TL, G2 MDX and G2 RL. I heard he was opposed to the V-6 in the G2 RL, insisting instead on a V-8, but he lost that battle.
On the down side, he was also responsible for the RDX and for 'stealing' the SSX (or whatever it would have been called) from Acura to make it the S2000 world wide. In the end, I think that Colliver can count more hits than misses. What do you think?
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I think not enough of us know what he was or wasn't responsible for so its difficult to offer an opinion. If everything you say is true, then he did a good job IMO.
What about the grille? Was that his idea?
I've always said American execs are handcuffed by what they can do so its no surprise to hear he likely wanted a V8 but was overruled. Only so much you can do when you have no control over engineering.
What about the grille? Was that his idea?
I've always said American execs are handcuffed by what they can do so its no surprise to hear he likely wanted a V8 but was overruled. Only so much you can do when you have no control over engineering.
Three Wheelin'
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From: Somewhere out there
Some of this message was in another thread, but I thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on Dick Collivers move from head at American Honda to an advisory role.
The previous guy at Acura was Rich Thomas. He is the one who axed the Legend nameplate (all the names actually). He also brought us the first gen CL, the first Acura to be designed and built in the US. They tried to use an old Civic plant for those cars but found that the tolerances (and paint) were no up to snuff. I even remember the project leaders name: Charlie Barker. Wonder where he is now? Thomas also introduced first gen RL and TL (though I suspect the RL was a Japan creation), and brought us the unloved SLX (Isuzu Trooper).
Colliver's first car for Acura was probably the 2G TL, and then followed up with the MDX. He got the G1 TSX here, stewarded the G3 TL, G2 MDX and G2 RL. I heard he was opposed to the V-6 in the G2 RL, insisting instead on a V-8, but he lost that battle.
On the down side, he was also responsible for the RDX and for 'stealing' the SSX (or whatever it would have been called) from Acura to make it the S2000 world wide. In the end, I think that Colliver can count more hits than misses. What do you think?
The previous guy at Acura was Rich Thomas. He is the one who axed the Legend nameplate (all the names actually). He also brought us the first gen CL, the first Acura to be designed and built in the US. They tried to use an old Civic plant for those cars but found that the tolerances (and paint) were no up to snuff. I even remember the project leaders name: Charlie Barker. Wonder where he is now? Thomas also introduced first gen RL and TL (though I suspect the RL was a Japan creation), and brought us the unloved SLX (Isuzu Trooper).
Colliver's first car for Acura was probably the 2G TL, and then followed up with the MDX. He got the G1 TSX here, stewarded the G3 TL, G2 MDX and G2 RL. I heard he was opposed to the V-6 in the G2 RL, insisting instead on a V-8, but he lost that battle.
On the down side, he was also responsible for the RDX and for 'stealing' the SSX (or whatever it would have been called) from Acura to make it the S2000 world wide. In the end, I think that Colliver can count more hits than misses. What do you think?
I think not enough of us know what he was or wasn't responsible for so its difficult to offer an opinion. If everything you say is true, then he did a good job IMO.
What about the grille? Was that his idea?
I've always said American execs are handcuffed by what they can do so its no surprise to hear he likely wanted a V8 but was overruled. Only so much you can do when you have no control over engineering.
What about the grille? Was that his idea?
I've always said American execs are handcuffed by what they can do so its no surprise to hear he likely wanted a V8 but was overruled. Only so much you can do when you have no control over engineering.
And the plenum will forever be seen in the future as Collivers greatest mistake. Not the RL or the RDX. The plenum has been universally lambasted and despised and that will likely go down in history as Dick's greatest downfall.
Last edited by (Cj); Feb 9, 2009 at 10:36 AM.
Drifting
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From: Calgary, AB
Now Collin, you just could not resist it, could you!? :-)
I agree with Cj - unfortunately, Mr. Colliver will forever be associated with the fiasco that is called the "Power Plenum" grille, to the point that nothing good that he did in the past would seem to matter.
Now, may I offer another title for this thread then? "Dick Crushed by the Plenum Grille"... hmm... it does not sound very comfortable, does it?!
I agree with Cj - unfortunately, Mr. Colliver will forever be associated with the fiasco that is called the "Power Plenum" grille, to the point that nothing good that he did in the past would seem to matter.
Now, may I offer another title for this thread then? "Dick Crushed by the Plenum Grille"... hmm... it does not sound very comfortable, does it?!
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Suzuka Master
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A story from Automotive news:
http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...902090344/1178
In a random chat around the store, the consensus is that Dick has been pushed out.
http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...902090344/1178
In a random chat around the store, the consensus is that Dick has been pushed out.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
^^ Boo, subscription required.
I think if you want to have a chance at any real conversation developing you're going to have to start referring to him as Mr. Coliver or something. As it is, I'm barely able reign in my inner 14 year old long enough to write this.
"Dick has been pushed out" Hehehehehehehe.
I think if you want to have a chance at any real conversation developing you're going to have to start referring to him as Mr. Coliver or something. As it is, I'm barely able reign in my inner 14 year old long enough to write this.
"Dick has been pushed out" Hehehehehehehe.
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Suzuka Master
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In 1993, Dick Colliver figured he was through with the day-to-day fray in the car business. He was off by 16 years.
After two decades at Mazda, he bowed out as group vice president and general manager for the U.S. sales arm in January 1993, and was set to retire. Instead, Colliver was snapped up by American Honda Motor Co., which needed a veteran sales pro to right its ship. Even then, he didn't figure on staying long.
Colliver joined Honda in February 1993 just as a huge sales kickback scandal threatened the company, and he led Honda to consistent sales success for a decade and a half. Last week, American Honda said Colliver, 69, will step aside as executive vice president of sales. He will become senior adviser to the company effective April 1.
Replacing Colliver will be John Mendel, a former Ford and Mazda executive who has been executive vice president of auto operations for American Honda since 2007. Takashi Sekiguchi, who has been executive vice president of corporate affairs and product planning, replaces Mendel.
The changes come as Honda is suffering the same sales challenges as other automakers. After 14 straight years of growth in America, American Honda's sales fell 7.9 percent in 2008.
Mendel joined American Honda in December 2004 and was promoted to executive vice president three years later. Before Honda, he was COO of Mazda North American Operations. He began his career with Ford in 1976.
As senior adviser, Colliver will provide strategic counsel, practical guidance and support to American Honda's dealers, managers and others.
"I wish Dick would stay forever," said Scott DeMasso, owner of Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, Fla., and chairman of the Honda Dealer Advisory Board. "Whatever his position ends up being, having him available to the dealers is great."
After two decades at Mazda, he bowed out as group vice president and general manager for the U.S. sales arm in January 1993, and was set to retire. Instead, Colliver was snapped up by American Honda Motor Co., which needed a veteran sales pro to right its ship. Even then, he didn't figure on staying long.
Colliver joined Honda in February 1993 just as a huge sales kickback scandal threatened the company, and he led Honda to consistent sales success for a decade and a half. Last week, American Honda said Colliver, 69, will step aside as executive vice president of sales. He will become senior adviser to the company effective April 1.
Replacing Colliver will be John Mendel, a former Ford and Mazda executive who has been executive vice president of auto operations for American Honda since 2007. Takashi Sekiguchi, who has been executive vice president of corporate affairs and product planning, replaces Mendel.
The changes come as Honda is suffering the same sales challenges as other automakers. After 14 straight years of growth in America, American Honda's sales fell 7.9 percent in 2008.
Mendel joined American Honda in December 2004 and was promoted to executive vice president three years later. Before Honda, he was COO of Mazda North American Operations. He began his career with Ford in 1976.
As senior adviser, Colliver will provide strategic counsel, practical guidance and support to American Honda's dealers, managers and others.
"I wish Dick would stay forever," said Scott DeMasso, owner of Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, Fla., and chairman of the Honda Dealer Advisory Board. "Whatever his position ends up being, having him available to the dealers is great."
Drifting
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Hmm, so maybe it was the short sighted dealers having too much influence that was the problem. I don't think what he was trying to do (make Acura a more recognizable luxury brand) was a bad idea, I just don't think he did it the right way. Had he focused more on Honda's strengths instead of trying to mold Acura into what the fickle American consumer wanted at the moment, he likely would have been more successful. You can't hit a target that moves 10 times as fast as you do by aiming where that target is now.
The future of the automotive market is exactly where Honda has been heading for the last 15 years. His mistake was his lack of confidence.
The future of the automotive market is exactly where Honda has been heading for the last 15 years. His mistake was his lack of confidence.
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From: Republik of Kalifornia
I think we've all had enough of Dick. I'm glad he's gone. I wrote him an email a while ago and his response was snippy and, forgive the pun, cocksure.
"I wish Dick would stay forever," said Scott DeMasso, owner of Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, Fla., and chairman of the Honda Dealer Advisory Board.
"I wish Dick would stay forever," said Scott DeMasso, owner of Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, Fla., and chairman of the Honda Dealer Advisory Board.
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