Lee Iacocca

American businessman, automotive executive, 20th-21st century

2 quotes in the MindQuotes library.

About

Lee Iacocca (1924-2019) was an American automotive executive of Italian descent. Trained as an engineer, he rose through Ford, launching the Ford Mustang in 1964 and becoming president in 1970. After being dismissed in 1978, he joined Chrysler, saving it from bankruptcy with government-backed loans and bold restructuring. He introduced the K-car platform and the modern minivan, and acquired AMC to gain Jeep. A bestselling author, he also led the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and founded a foundation for diabetes research.

Major works

Iacocca: An Autobiography (1984)autobiography
Talking Straight (1988)non-fiction
Where Have All the Leaders Gone? (2007)non-fiction

Key milestones

1964Launched the Ford Mustang, which sold 419,000 units in its first year.
1980Secured $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees to rescue Chrysler.
1984Chrysler repaid its government loans early and posted record profits.

Themes

LeadershipAutomotive innovationCorporate turnaroundPatriotismPhilanthropy

Sources: britannica.com · bbc.co.uk · detroithistorical.org

“A'v You've got to say, "I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough, I can have it." It's called perseverance.”

— Lee IacoccaTheme · Motivation

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“I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work.”

— Lee IacoccaTheme · Family

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