Iacocca, << `eye` uh KOH kuh >> Lee (1924-2019), was a noted American automobile executive. As chairman of the board of the Chrysler Corporation, Iacocca helped save the company from bankruptcy. He reduced company spending and helped persuade the United States government in 1980 to guarantee $11/2 billion in private loans to Chrysler. Chrysler repaid the loans in 1983.
Iacocca began his career in 1946 with the Ford Motor Company. He joined Ford as an engineer but soon switched to sales. In 1960, he became a general manager and vice president. Iacocca headed the team of engineers and designers who developed the Ford Mustang. The Mustang was introduced in 1964, and it quickly became one of the most popular cars ever made. In 1965, Iacocca was named vice president of Ford’s corporate car and truck group. From 1970 to 1978, Iacocca served as president of the company. In 1978, Iacocca became president of Chrysler Corporation. In 1979, Iacocca was named chairman and chief executive officer of the corporation. He retired from this post in 1992. Iacocca was so closely associated with the Chrysler brand, he continued to act as a spokesperson in television ads for the company into the early 2000’s.
Iacocca was born on Oct. 15, 1924, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and was christened Lido Anthony. He received a B.S. degree from Lehigh University in 1945 and an M.S. degree from Princeton University in 1946. He has written several books, including Iacocca: An Autobiography (1984), Talking Straight (1988), and Where Have All the Leaders Gone? (2007). Iacocca died on July 2, 2019.
See also Chrysler .
