Chrysler, Ford, Durant and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry

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Overview

The American automobile industry has been called the favorite child of capitalism. Four decades of exceptional earnings allowed Henry Ford, William Durant and Alfred Sloan (both of General Motors), Walter Chrysler and their companies to make developments in production, design and marketing that have set the standard for consumer products and industrial firms. Four men, the subjects of this book, are primarily responsible for these concepts and for the formation of "the big three." New research lends important ...
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More About This Book

Overview

The American automobile industry has been called the favorite child of capitalism. Four decades of exceptional earnings allowed Henry Ford, William Durant and Alfred Sloan (both of General Motors), Walter Chrysler and their companies to make developments in production, design and marketing that have set the standard for consumer products and industrial firms. Four men, the subjects of this book, are primarily responsible for these concepts and for the formation of "the big three." New research lends important insight into the relationship of Walter Chrysler's business career to the careers of the other three automotive giants. This history details the careers and visions of the four men -- their business methods and individual interests, the ideas they pioneered, and their belief in the potential of the automobile market. Not least, it describes the sheer luck that was a factor for all of them.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780786416110
  • Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
  • Publication date: 8/28/2003
  • Pages: 196
  • Product dimensions: 6.90 (w) x 9.90 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Table of Contents

Preface 1
1 Henry Ford (1863-1947) 3
Defining an American Industry 3
The Ford Motor Company 11
The Piquette Plant 22
Ford Highland Park 28
The Ford Dealership 36
Dodge Brothers Lawsuit 38
History Is Bunk 42
H. Ford vs. H. Leland 44
The Rouge Complex and the Model A and V8 46
Accounting and Management 56
The Arsenal of Democracy 59
Lincoln and Mercury 62
Summary of a Business Life 63
2 William Durant (1861-1946) 67
Salesmanship 67
Buick 69
General Motors 72
Banker Usury 74
General Motors Division of Chevrolet 76
A New General Motors 78
Durant After G.M. 81
Summary of a Life 83
3 Alfred Sloan (1875-1966) 84
The Early Career 84
A Professional Manager 85
United Motors Corporation 88
Reconstruction 90
Marketing and Product 96
Sloan as Head of G.M. 101
Greatness 104
Summary of a Life 107
4 Walter Chrysler (1875-1940) 109
The Railroad Years 109
The Buick Years 113
The Company Doctor: Willys 117
ZSB 118
The First Chrysler 119
The Company Doctor: Maxwell 120
The Elizabeth, N.J., Plant 121
The New Chrysler Car 123
The 1924 Chrysler 130
Chrysler Corporation 133
The Dodge Purchase 138
Plymouth 143
The Depression 148
The Airflow 150
Chrysler Firsts 158
Styling 165
Non-Automotive 167
A Time to Relax 170
Summary of a Business Life 171
Epilogue: Four Business Lives 172
Career Goals and Commitment 172
The Park of Luck 173
Notes 177
Index 185
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