| The triumph of Toyota into becoming the | | | | Florida in 1966 where he intends to spend his final |
| world’s number 1 largest automaker was | | | | days in retirement. |
| tainted with sadness with the departure of one of | | | | According to Alberto Ibargüen, the former |
| the legendary car promoter who helped it to | | | | Miami Herald publisher who served on the board |
| become the nation’s best-selling import. Jim | | | | of the Florida Philharmonic with Moran, ''As he put |
| Moran died last Tuesday at the age of 88. | | | | it, about three or four years later, he noticed he |
| Jim Moran is the billionaire owner and founder of | | | | hadn't died.” So Moran returned to the |
| JM Family Enterprises of Deerfield Beach. Moran | | | | showroom, opening a Pontiac dealership in |
| also presides over an automotive empire that | | | | Homestead. |
| ranks among the biggest private companies in the | | | | Two years later Moran met Toyta’s founder |
| country. Despite the various health problems that | | | | which changes Moran’s career. He was |
| he is facing, he remained to have an active | | | | recruited to distribute Toyotas, being the man |
| participation in the business until his death. Last | | | | that he is, Moran first wanted to take a Toyota |
| Friday before Moran’s death he called Art | | | | out for a test drive, according to Ibargüen, |
| Hendrickson Sr., who owns a Toyota dealership in | | | | now president and chief executive of the John S. |
| Coconut Creek. Hendrickson said, ''He was asking | | | | and James L. Knight Foundation. ''He took it on the |
| me about the sales of the new truck, the | | | | road, slammed it reverse and it didn't break,''--- |
| Tundra”. Hendrickson also said that he asked | | | | that was enough to convince Moran that the |
| Mr. Moran if there is anything that he could do for | | | | Toyota was well made, Ibargüen said. |
| him but the old man said was ``Just take good | | | | After that fateful day, JM Family's flagship |
| care of yourself.'' | | | | subsidiary in Southeast Toyota Distributors |
| The story of Moran was one of those Horatio | | | | became the exclusive supplier of Toyota products |
| Alger-type figures whose rags to riches story | | | | which include vehicles as well as auto and range of |
| have concluded in the building of the world’s | | | | toyota truck part in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and |
| largest Toyota distributor. Moran was also the | | | | the Carolinas. Moran is also credited for making |
| very first car dealer that advertises cars on | | | | many Toyota dealers millionaires. |
| television. The billionaire from Fort Lauderdale H. | | | | Hendrickson said, ''I personally believe Toyota |
| Wayne Huizenga who consulted with Moran in | | | | wouldn't be where it is today without Jim Moran,''. |
| 1996 about the launching of a chain of used-car | | | | The death of Moran came the same day as the |
| superstores has remembered the old man as the | | | | news stating that Toyota had surpassed General |
| “Courtesy Man”. Huizenga said, "That tag | | | | Motors in car and truck sales in the first quarter. |
| line fit him so well and epitomized the Jim Moran | | | | Moran’s other automotive businesses, including |
| that I knew. Jim was a gifted entrepreneur, but | | | | World Omni Financial Corp. together with the |
| more importantly, he was a wonderful person." | | | | finance and insurance company JM&A Group, |
| The path to success of Moran was loaded with | | | | thrived. |
| controversies. First he was accused of tax | | | | According to Moran’s friend Lewis Cohen, |
| evasion and then discriminatory practices but | | | | president of Irving Berlin Men's Shop in Hollywood, |
| despite all that he has found a way to show his | | | | where Moran shopped, he considered the auto |
| caring side when he launched programs that would | | | | magnate ``a great gentleman of this era. One time |
| benefit troubled youths and recognizes the | | | | he sent all the wives of his executives to New |
| achievements of African-Americans. | | | | York with paid hotel bills and credit cards to show |
| Moran’s climb to success… | | | | his appreciation for the guys who were doing |
| Jim Moran was born in Chicago's Near North Side | | | | business for him.” |
| in 1918. His venture into the automotive industry | | | | Fame, Fortune, Recognitions… |
| started in 1939 when he borrowed $360 to buy a | | | | In the year 2005, Moran was inducted into the |
| Sinclair gas station. He also ventures into selling | | | | Automotive Hall of Fame, joining the line of |
| used cars at the station. He later on became the | | | | industry icons such as Henry Ford, Lee Iacocca, |
| top Hudson dealer and the top Ford dealer. He | | | | and Thomas Edison. Mike Jackson, chairman and |
| was featured on the cover of Time magazine in | | | | CEO of Fort Lauderdale's AutoNation, said Moran |
| 1961. | | | | will be remembered for his ``ability to create |
| At the height of his success, Moran, 46 at the | | | | something that didn't exist and to build it into |
| time was told by a doctor that he had cancer and | | | | something far beyond anything anyone could ever |
| had less than a year to live. After the learning the | | | | imagine. |
| horrible news Moran decided to move to South | | | | |