Taken for a Ride
How Daimler-Benz Drove Off with Chrysler
Chapter One
The two men faced off in a dreary hotel room at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, emissaries from different worlds at a dangerous intersection on the morning of April 10, 1995.
Alex Yemenidjian laid a black-covered document titled "Project Beta" on the table. Darkly handsome with olive skin and slicked-back black hair, Yemenidjian was the protege of Kirk Kerkorian, one of the world's richest men and the owner of thirty-six million shares of stock in Chrysler Corporation. Born in Argentina, raised in Los Angeles, and fiercely proud of his Armenian heritage, Yemenidjian seemed coiled, tightly wound, a little nervous.
"It is our understanding you are familiar with the model,'' Yemenidjian began stiffly, his accent an exotic mix of Spanish and Armenian dialect.
Tom Denomme sized up the smooth-talking casino executive in the Hugo Boss suit across from him. He had to be very careful.
"Yeah, we're familiar with it," Denomme replied. "What is the specific message you would like us to carry to Bob Eaton?"
"Time is of the essence," Yemenid ... read full excerpt from Taken for a Ride ebook
