Toyota Launches Diversity Program; Appoints Black Dealers
Pamela Rodgers
GM Dealer
Tony M erritt
Ray D ixon
D orian B oyland
E d w a rd Fitzpatrick
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. recently announced the establishment o f a new, company-wide dealer diversity program along with the
selection of four additional African-American dealers. That brings the total number of African-American Toyota dealers to 14. There is also
one African-American Lexus dealer in the country.
I he diversity program creates several initiatives including: Enhanced outreach and candidate recruitment: a plan to create new oppor
tunities for minorities and women dealer candidates; financial assistance; hands-on training in mentor dealerships and an increase in
diversity staff representatives to both the Toyota and the Lexus Dealer Councils.
1 he four new African-American dealers will manage sites on the West Coast. They are: Edward Fitzpatrick with Lexus Valiev in
Modesto, Calif; Dorian Boyland with Redding Toyota in Redding, Calif; Tony Merritt with Superstition Toyota in Mesa, Ariz. and Ray
Dixon with Family Toyota in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
General Motors Hires
Black Ad Agency
General Motors Oldsmobile division has retained E.
Morris Communications, Inc. as its African-American
advertising agency of record. Chicago-based E. Morris
was selected to implement and execute Oldsmobile’s
African-American diversity marketing program.
O ur ability and in-depth understanding of the mar
ketplace plays an integral role in developing the
Oldsmobile diversity marketing program,” said Eugene-
Morris, president and CEO. E. Morris' sen-ices include
advertising, market analysis, strategic planning and event
management.
Founded in 1987, E. Morris celebrates its 10th anni
versary this year as Oldsmobile marks a century in busi
ness. According to Ella Britton, Oldsmobile’s account
manager, the car Company s new ad campaign will kick
off early next year.
General Motors
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as strongly as I do."
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is a ‘ m a n 's w o r ld ' is q u ite an a c c o m p lis h
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D onated f reightlinerfire rescue vehicle.
CORRECTIONS
Daimler-Benz Donates Fire Truck
To Washington, D.C.
BMW offers traction control as a standard
feature. It was incorrectly reported in the Urban
Pick chart for the Summer 1997 issue that it was
an option.
Daimler-Benz, maker o f the Mercedes luxury brand car, recently do
nated a Freightliner fire/rescue vehicle to the District o f Columbia Fire
Department. Former D.C. Fire Chief Otis Latin accepted the goodwill
gesture from Daimler-Benz Chairman Juergen Schrempp. “This is our
way o f saying thank you America for your business and support,”
Schrempp said of the gift.
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AFRICAN AMERICANS O N C E E I S
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General Motors
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m in o r it y
can he successful to o .
Jim Farmer is Saturn Corporations vice presi
dent of corporate communications. He was in
correctly identified in W ho’s W ho in the Sum
mer 1997 issue as Jerry Farmer.
M arc Battle
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