CRISIS COMMUNICATION - AUTOLINE THIS WEEK 1834

EV Channels Review

This Autoline This Week episode features a compelling discussion on crisis communication within the automotive industry, centered around Jason Vines' new book, "What Did Jesus Drive?" Vines, a former PR executive for major automakers like Nissan, Ford, and Chrysler, shares his extensive experience navigating corporate crises. The conversation highlights key takeaways from his book, including the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign against SUVs, the importance of honesty and admitting mistakes in PR, and his candid assessments of various CEOs. Vines ranks Jack Nasser as the best CEO he worked with, praising his life-saving decisions during the Ford-Firestone crisis, followed by Dieter Zetsche and Lee Iacocca. He identifies Bob Nardelli as the worst. The episode also delves into the GM ignition switch crisis, comparing it unfavorably to the Ford-Firestone situation due to a perceived lack of action on known issues. The discussion touches on the challenges of Japanese corporate culture in handling crises and the effectiveness of direct, honest communication, even when profane, as exemplified by Vines' own voice in the book. The episode concludes with a strong recommendation for Vines' book, despite its candid and sometimes profane language, for its factual and behind-the-scenes look at automotive PR.