Henry Ford II (1917–87) was an American automotive industrialist and head of Ford Motor Company for 34 years (1945–79.) He revived his grandfather’s faltering automobile company into the second largest industrial enterprise in the world.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Ford was the grandson of Henry Ford I and the elder son of Edsel Ford I. He was the president of the Ford Motor Company 1945–60, chief executive officer 1947–79, and chairman of the board of directors 1960–80.
When Ford took over Ford Motor in 1945, the company lost $9.5 million monthly. Ford enforced an audit system for the enterprise while automating company factories. Because of Ford’s leadership, the Ford Motor Company boasted net profits of $265 million in 1950. Ford Motor surpassed Chrysler three years later and claimed second place in industry sales. In 1956, Ford Motor Company became a publicly traded corporation. Of the new cars introduced during his tenure, the Mustang and the Thunderbird became incredibly popular, but the Edsel was a legendary failure.
From 1943–50, Ford also served as president of the Ford Foundation. In 1949, he established the Ford Motor Company Fund, an independent philanthropic arm of the Ford Motor Company.
Ford’s life and business career are covered in Allan Nevins and Frank E. Hill’s Ford: Decline and Rebirth, 1933–1962 (1963.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Henry Ford II
Nobody can really guarantee the future. The best we can do is size up the chances, calculate the risks involved, estimate our ability to deal with them and then make our plans with confidence.
—Henry Ford II
Topics: Uncertainty, Future, Doubt
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Leave a Reply