Chrysler, Ford, Durant, and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry
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...
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Weiss (a former archivist with the DaimlerChrysler Historical Collection) profiles the leaders of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler—the "Big Three" of automobile manufacturing. His emphasis is on the men's contributions to production, product design, marketing, and business organization. Walter Chrysler is examined for his own contributions as well as for his business relationships with the other three men. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Preface11Henry Ford (1863-1947)3Defining an American Industry3The Ford Motor Company11The Piquette Plant22Ford Highland Park28The Ford Dealership36Dodge Brothers Lawsuit38History Is Bunk42H. Ford vs. H. Leland44The Rouge Complex and the Model A and V846Accounting and Management56The Arsenal of Democracy59Lincoln and Mercury62Summary of a Business Life632William Durant (1861-1946)67Salesmanship67Buick69General Motors72Banker Usury74General Motors Division of Chevrolet76A New General Motors78Durant After G.M.81Summary of a Life833Alfred Sloan (1875-1966)84The Early Career84A Professional Manager85United Motors Corporation88Reconstruction90Marketing and Product96Sloan as Head of G.M.101Greatness104Summary of a Life1074Walter Chrysler (1875-1940)109The Railroad Years109The Buick Years113The Company Doctor: Willys117ZSB118The First Chrysler119The Company Doctor: Maxwell120The Elizabeth, N.J., Plant121The New Chrysler Car123The 1924 Chrysler130Chrysler Corporation133The Dodge Purchase138Plymouth143The Depression148The Airflow150Chrysler Firsts158Styling165Non-Automotive167A Time to Relax170Summary of a Business Life171Epilogue: Four Business Lives172Career Goals and Commitment172The Park of Luck173Notes177Index185
