"I would sacrifice my job to save Chrysler" CEO Nardelli make plea

During today's Senate hearings of the Detroit 3 automakers, U.S. Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) spent much of his time on the mic talking about the cost savings that would be realized if General Motors and Chrysler LLC merged. He argued that prior talks held between the two companies has already laid the groundwork for a merger and that estimates peg annual cost savings at $8-10 billion for the combined company. Bennett then remarked that one reason a GM/Chrysler merger didn't happen the first time around was because many people in upper management, possibly including one of the two CEOs sitting before him, would basically lose their jobs. When asked if he would still want government assistance if Congress made the merger of GM and Chrysler a condition, Nardelli responded, "The first job that would go would be mine, but if in fact that's the criteria that means we would get money to save Chrysler and the people who have worked there for 80 some years, I would do it." Wow.


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Spectator - 12/5/2008 11:41:11 AM

+4 Boost

That just a class act move.

Sure he has probably a ton of money to fall back on, but its not about the money. Its about how you will be remembered in the auto industry (not only that but the world in essence) when you end your carrer.

To sit next to your counterpart/equal and say you would give up your position and not fight them on who would be President of GM-Chrysler to save the US auto industry...at the swan song of your carrer...that just takes major cajones.

There is one other person I remember who had the cajones to step down when the time required it for the greater good, and I won't say that Nardelli is even close to filling this persons shoes...but he is showing leadership qualities of this individual. Last name Washington...first name George. The man who could have been king.

Kudos to you Nardelli for tip toeing in a giants footsteps.

DinamoR - 12/5/2008 5:27:37 PM

0 Boost

I'm surprised he still has a job

09CTSVforMe - 12/6/2008 10:20:37 PM

+1 Boost

I'd get the hell out of there too, if it were my job.