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Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!!
Review: Arrogance and Accords is engaging, well written and at times very funny. The mainstream media missed this compelling corruption tale even though it was the biggest story in the auto industry during the 1990s. Steve Lynch brings the sordid story to life, using his own experiences along with evidence and depositions provided by the Justice Department. I was on the "fringe" of the scandal and thought I knew the whole story from industry publications but Lynch brings to the table much more information than I ever imagined. The reason that so much money passed hands is pretty simple - Honda cars were in high demand and dealers greased the palms of American Honda executives to get more vehicles. The real story here is not how it happened but how it all unraveled: a mixture of inept lawyers, an aggressive US Attorney, the often-unheard whistleblowers, and Honda's Japanese managers who did not want to put a stop to the corruption. The second half of the book reads like a true crime novel but it was all true. Lynch could be a comedy writer. My favorite examples of his humor was his shots at some of the small towns key to the scandal - Conway, Arkansas, Santa Paula, California and Concord, New Hampshire - which were hysterical. This past year, Honda paid out over $500 million to dealers who sued over the scandal, claiming they were denied vehicles in favor of corrupt dealers. I'm sure we have not heard the end of it....
Rating:
Summary: Arrogance and Accords
Review: I am a renowned fan of the Honda automobile, but had limited knowledge of the inner workings of the automobile industry. However, this amazing book brought to light the fascinating inner workings of Honda as it was during the author's employment there. It is written in terms that the layman will understand, and is an enlightening read for not only those in the industry, but also for those who have little or no working knowledge of it. Everyone will appreciate this book; it's an eye-opener, and one that I hope people in the automobile business, and those who just love an engrossing exposé, will read and then read again.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe Reviewers of this Book Should Tell the Truth
Review: Michael Daly's review of this book (see below) is driven by his irrational hatred of Jeff Gordon. This book has way more to do with Japanese business methods than Rick Hendrick. Unfortunately, Daly cannot see the forest for the trees. Do yourself a favor. Read the book and not Daly's comments thereto. The former is much more enlightening.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe Reviewers of this Book Should Tell the Truth
Review: Michael Daly's review of this book (see below) is driven by his irrational hatred of Jeff Gordon. This book has way more to do with Japanese business methods than Rick Hendrick. Unfortunately, Daly cannot see the forest for the trees. Do yourself a favor. Read the book and not Daly's comments thereto. The former is much more enlightening.
Rating: 
Summary: incorrect
Review: Not an accurate account of how this occurred, badly mangled.
Rating:
Summary: Greed And Graft Blacken A Beloved Car Company
Review: Steve Lynch has a passion for Honda automobiles. Such passion helps animate and propel his eyewitness account of the long-running bribery that occurred within Honda Motor Company's American branch. Lynch's love of Honda shows in his opening account of the dismal state of the American automobile scene circa 1981. There is a certain glee with which Lynch contrasts the high quality of Honda's product with the lesser quality of American marques. Such contrasts in quality proved important, as Honda was able to sell cars without extensive marketing campaigns. But as Honda became more successful, bribery and graft within the American division grew higher and more audacious. The prince of payola at American Honda was John "Jack" Billmyer, who "wallowed in the kickbacks of dealers" throughout the country. Following in Billmyer's footsteps was his successor as chief of national sales, Stanley James Cardiges, nicknamed Jim Car-Jesus, The God of Honda automobiles. One of the biggest dealer-influence-peddlers who played ball with Billmyer and Cardiges was NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. Hendrick and Billmyer went back to Rick's youth as a hot rodder in North Carolina, and Billmyer was instrumental in getting Hendrick going in car sales. Lynch shows how Hendrick wielded undue influence with the company and was thus able to acquire far more car stores than anyone else. "All it took," writes Lynch, "were a few gifts." Lynch notes that most car companies limit dealers to about six stores, but Hendrick didn't believe such a rule should apply to him, and in Honda he found a company that officially did not have such a rule. Lynch details how Hendrick used bribes and influence in Honda to bankrupt rival dealers - such as William Van Dalsam of California and Dick Young of South Carolina - and then poach their stores. A story not mentioned in the book adds to the scenario - reportedly, former NASCAR driver Dick Brooks was approached by Hendrick, who wanted to purchase his three dealerships. Brooks refused, and next thing he knew, cars slated for his shops were going to Hendrick's facilities. Lynch carries the story through the trial and convictions of over 22 defendents, including Hendrick. There is a hint of disappointment in Lynch as he notes that, with Hendrick's guilty plea to one count of mail fraud (pertaining to one of the largest bribes to Cardiges), the probe of the Honda scandal seemed to close. Lynch also notes a lesser-reported angle of the story - how Hendrick reportedly also bribed Lexus. Given this record, one has to wonder if Hendrick has used such tactics with General Motors as well, given the near-monopolistic clout and engineering backing from GM his NASCAR race teams wield. Not just NASCAR fans, but anyone interested in cars should read this book.
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