The history of the American automobile industry has taken on another focus with the threat of bankruptcy. Those in power (ala the government) have questioned the ability of the auto executives to run their companies.
And these power brokers are not just limiting their criticisms to today’s execs. Yesterday’s rulers of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford have also been blamed for the current status of the American auto industry.
Fair or not fair? Autoweek has come up with a list of eight leaders who made an impact on the domestic auto industry during the last three decades. They include:
John Telnack, who helped create the Ford Mustang, created “aero-look” vehicles like the Thunderbird, the Ford Taurus and the Mercury Sable.
Elizabeth Wetzel was the first female chief of design for special projects for General Motors and was involved in the development of the first crossover -- the Buick Rendezvous. Today she is the director of General Motor’s Global Brand Studio working with a small group of designers developing brand identity for all of GM’s worldwide divisions.
Tom Gale, along with Trevor Creed, John Herlitz and Neil Wailing, were known as the “Gang of Four” as a designer for Chrysler. You could say that they were responsible for the Dodge Viper, the Dodge Ram and the Plymouth Prowler.
Chuck Hagel only recently left the U.S. Senate after a distinguishing career representing the state of Nebraska. Now known for his opposition to the Iraq War, Autoweek tapped him as a potential friend of the auto industry when he first came to Congress in 1999. He had previously been a lobbyist for an automotive supplier.
Jacques Nasser was a former chief of Ford. He was known as “Jac the Knife” for his cost cutting. He purchased Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and expanded Ford’s stake in Mazda. He also expanded Ford’s reach into the fringes of the auto industry buying such companies as salvage yards, collision repair shops and recycling facilities.
Joan Claybrook was a disciple of Ralph Nader and became the director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Carter Administration. She now serves as president of Public Citizen, a non-profit consumer advocacy group.
A full list can be found above. Who do you think had influence over the American auto industry?