Driving Chrysler Through Inflation | The Crash | 2
Business Movers
Wondery
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 6 October 2022
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Lee Iacocca takes charge at Chrysler and finds a company on the brink of collapse. But his attempts to turn the automaker around are undermined by a new and unforeseen global economic crisis.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, prime members, you can listen to business movers, add free on Amazon Music, download the app today. |
| 0:22.0 | It's fall 1978 in a private dining room at a hotel in downtown Detroit. |
| 0:27.0 | Leia Cokka, the recently deposed president of the Ford Motor Company, sits across from 54-year-old John Riccardo, |
| 0:34.0 | the chairman and CEO of one of Ford's biggest competitors, Chrysler. |
| 0:38.0 | Since being ousted from Ford a few months back, Lee's been plotting a return to the auto industry and revenge against the man who fired him, Henry Ford II. |
| 0:48.0 | Lee's had dozens of phone calls from companies hoping to hire him, but Chrysler is the first Lee's agreed to meet. |
| 0:55.0 | Lee knows Chrysler is struggling, but he also believes that with the right leadership, the company could soar to new heights. |
| 1:02.0 | Today, he listens with interest as John Riccardo turns their conversation from small talk to business. |
| 1:08.0 | Well, no for that. Tell me, how's retirement Lee? Well, my wife says I won't be happy doing anything except cars, and she's usually right. |
| 1:17.0 | Your wife sounds like a smart woman. No, there's no doubt about that, but we're not here to talk about my wife, are we? |
| 1:23.0 | No, we're not. Ah, the famous Ayakoka straight talk. Well, alright. |
| 1:28.0 | Things aren't going well at Chrysler, as I'm sure you know. Along those lines, we are looking to make a change. |
| 1:34.0 | A change to watch, huh? Well, in continuing with the straight talk, we want you to be Chrysler's new president. |
| 1:40.0 | I see. That's all you have to say, Lee. I see. |
| 1:44.0 | Lee glances out the window. A few city blocks away, he can see the glittering towers of the Renaissance Center, a monument being built by Henry Ford II. |
| 1:52.0 | Henry's constructed it against Lee's wishes at a time when Ford was losing money, and Lee was breaking his back to stop the bleeding. |
| 2:00.0 | It's a symbol of everything Lee despises about the Ford company and his former boss. |
| 2:05.0 | Lee cuts his eyes back at John. Well, I don't want to work for you, John. I'm sorry. I don't want to work for anyone. |
| 2:12.0 | I already did that at Ford, and it's not an experience I want to repeat. |
| 2:16.0 | If I'm going somewhere, John, I have to be the guy making the decisions. |
| 2:20.0 | Numerow Uno. |
| 2:22.0 | Ricardo is silent for a moment, and then he leans forward in his chair. |
... |
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