Remembering Lee Iacocca: One of America’s Most Beloved Automotive Leaders 

Lee Iacocca
Lee Iacocca in 1990

Death has taken one of the world’s most celebrated automotive leaders. The man known as Lee Iacocca, who lived a life of passion and purpose, died on July 2nd. In his 94 years, Lee Iacocca would accomplish much, and his enduring legacy is one that will live on to inspire people around the world.

Lido Anthony “Lee” Iacocca was born on October 15th, 1924 in Allentown, Pennsylvania and went on to become one of America’s most beloved automotive executives. Connected to both the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler, Iacocca left an unforgettable mark on the American car.

Lee Iacocca
The Father of the Ford Mustang

One of the Ford Motor Company’s All-Time Greats

Hired by the Ford Motor Company in 1946, Iacocca played an instrumental role in the design, release, and success of flagship models such as the Mustang, Continental Mark III, Pinto, and Escort. His work on the Mustang helped to create an entirely new class of car: the pony car. The Mustang was the first of many affordable, performance orientated cars that normal people could use as daily drivers.

Also during the same 1960’s time period, he spearheaded the revival of the Mercury brand as well as the release of the Cougar and Marquis. While at Ford, he also introduced ideas which would ultimately see production in his time at Chrysler such as the K-car platform and the original concept for what became known as the minivan. Each of these ideas would lead to paradigm shifting sales numbers which forced many competitors to follow along, lest be swept away from the marketplace.

Lee Iacocca rose through the ranks of Ford as an engineer, sales, and marketing professional before ending up as VP and finally President. On July 13th of 1978, Iaccoca would end up being fired from Ford. Insiders have suggested that despite posting $2 Billion in profits in that year, interpersonal issues with Henry Ford II ultimately led to Iacocca’s release from the Ford Motor Company.

Lee Iacocca

Architect of Chrysler’s Resurgence

Considered a proven automotive expert by the late 70’s, Chrysler worked very hard to woo Iacocca after his falling out with Ford. At the time, the company was struggling on the verge of complete bankruptcy. Iacocca would play a key role in negotiations with the United States congress in 1979 for Chrysler to receive a loan guarantee. This bailout essentially saved the company and paved the way for its most successful period to date.

Thanks to Lee Iaccoca’s support of the K-car platform and the release of the minivan in 1983, Chrysler recorded impressive sales throughout that decade. The minivan would go on to be the most popular vehicle sold for the better part of the next 25 years. Some even claim that it was Lee Iaccoca who helped to save the convertible. When the Chrysler LeBaron was released, the open top design was considered a dying breed. Success of that car led to an international revival of the style.

Later in his tenure with Chrysler, Iaccoca pushed heavily to purchase AMC. At the time, the company’s Jeep division was very attractive. Though the Jeep Grand Cherokee would not be released until the year he retired in 1992, Iaccoca was extremely interested in the car and helped to push it into production.

Throughout his time with Chrysler, Lee Iacocca was featured in many memorable advertisements for the brand. He was known for the slogans: “The pride is back,” and, “if you can find a better car, buy it.” Each of these lines have been cited by automotive historians as landmark gestures which helped to define the resurgence of Chrysler on the world stage.

Despite achieving tremendous success as business leader, Iaccoca is known for keeping things in perspective:

“No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity. If you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished.” 

Iaccoca would remain connected to Chrysler even after he retired in the wake of what has been described as a hostile takeover of the company. In 2005 he even reprised his role as the company’s spokesperson and appeared in a number of ads reprising the brand slogans he had used throughout the 1980’s to return Chrysler to one of America’s most beloved car brands.

In 2009, as the brand he loved again faced possible bankruptcy, Lee again became a true brand champion: “This is a sad day for me. It pains me to see my old company, which has meant so much to America, on the ropes. But Chrysler has been in trouble before, and we got through it, and I believe they can do it again. If they’re smart, they’ll bring together a consortium of workers, plant managers and dealers to come up with real solutions. These are the folks on the front lines, and they’re the key to survival. Let’s face it, if your car breaks down, you’re not going to take it to the White House to get fixed. But, if your company breaks down, you’ve got to go to the experts on the ground, not the bureaucrats. Every day I talk to dealers and managers, who are passionate and full of ideas. No one wants Chrysler to survive more than they do. So I’d say to the Obama administration, don’t leave them out. Put their passion and ideas to work.”

Remembering Lee Iacocca: Humanitarian, Influencer, Friend

Away from the automotive industry he loved so much, Lee Iacocca was selected by President Ronald Reagan to lead a foundation tasked with raising the funds needed to restore the New York City landmark known as the Statue of Liberty. He also created a company called Olivio whose olive oil based products benefit Diabetes research. Iaccoca became a strong supporter of Diabetes research following the death of his beloved wife Mary.

Lee Iacocca would go on to help write several influential books. In 1984, the book he co-authored with William Novak, Iaccoca: An Autobiography charted his rise to the upper echelons of America’s corporate landscape. In 1988, Talking Straight, the book he wrote with Sonny Kleinfeld highlighted America’s unique creativity and spirit of innovation. In 2007, Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, the book he wrote with Catherine Whitney urged young people towards positions of leadership and professional responsibility.

In Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, Iaccoca writes:

Am I the only guy in this country who’s fed up with what’s happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We’ve got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we’ve got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can’t even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, “Stay the course.” Stay the course? You’ve got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I’ll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!

Politically and civically active right up until the time of his death, Iaccoca left a mark on global society that extends much further than the Bel Air, Los Angeles neighborhood he called home.

Likely to be remembered for his cool attitude and pragmatism, Iaccoca left behind many pieces of wisdom for those interested:

 “In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.” 

Source: Jalopnik