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- ) |
| Inducted: |
1995 |
| Region: |
MidWest |
| Industry: |
Transportation
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Philip Caldwell was the first chairman of Ford Motor Company who was not a family member. He took over in 1979, a time when large numbers of Japanese autos were being exported to the United States. Ford’s cars looked out-of-date and were of poor quality. Caldwell believed that if Ford started making quality cars, Americans would start buying them. He developed aerodynamic, fuel-efficient cars that set a trend in the industry. The Taurus became the best-selling car in America. By the time Caldwell retired, Ford’s had executed one of the biggest corporate turnarounds in history. |
