Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca
What to drive? A white Grand Cherokee, a Town & Country minivan, a Lincoln Town car, a "woodie" convertible, a '64 Mustang ... or an electric bicycle? Those are some of the choices for the retired chairman of Chrysler these days.
Lee Iacocca (born Lido Anthony Iacocca of Allentown, Pa., in 1924) went to work at Ford at age 22. By 1970 he was president of the company, but left after he and Henry Ford II had a falling out in 1978. He was president of Chrysler for one year before he was elevated to chairman in 1979. He retired in 1992.
Mr. Iacocca had a high profile in the American auto industry, for good reason. In 1964, he brought the world the Ford Mustang; 20 years later, he revolutionized the car industry with the minivan. In 1978, he was fundamental in resurrecting the near-bankrupt Chrysler by helping secure $1.5 billion in government loans - and later, paying them back.
He was one of the first of the CEO pitchmen, appearing on TV to sell K cars.
This year he's trying to launch a two-wheeled revolution: the E-Bike, as in "electric bike." "I believe in the future of electric vehicles," declares the head of EV Global Motors.
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