
In 1999 when Manhattan Auto Group President and CEO Gary Flom embarked upon an evaluation of his firm's processes, he used a rather unusual barometer. Flom examined, not only the approach used by his competitors in the automotive industry, but that of Manhattan's top-scale hoteliers, restaurants, and retailers. He wanted to see - and adopt - the peerlessexemplary service levels, distinctive ambience, and care to detail that his customers might enjoy at The Plaza, Le Bernardin, Cartier, or Cellini.