Michael Jackson (executive)

Michael Jackson is an automobile industry executive who became chief executive of AutoNation, Inc. in 1999 after the company founder and co-chief executives stepped down. He came to AutoNation with many years of automobile dealership experience and had to resign as president of Mercedes-Benz of North America to take the job. Only four months after taking over he faced the question of what to do with the company 29 unprofitable used-car superstores. On December 19, 1999 he announced the closure of 23 of them and the integration of the remaining six into new-car franchise outlets, saying the focus would be improving operating margins and a branded customer experience in new-vehicle franchises, which became AutoNation sole business focus.