Auto industry saviour and legend, Lee Iacocca, dies at 94

He is responsible for saving Chrysler when it faced near-bankruptcy in the 1984.

Blessed with two daughters and eight grandchildren, Lee Iacocca passed away peacefully on Tuesday, according to his family. He played a major role in creating the Ford Mustang and the Chrysler minivan. In fact, he is known as the father of Ford Mustang.

Born on October 15, 1924, Lee Iacocca served two well-known car companies. He became the CEO of Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corp. in 1970 and 1978 respectively.

“If you can find a better car, buy it.” was one of his famous lines he used whenever he starred in Chrysler’s television commercials.

“He played a historic role in steering Chrysler through crisis and making it a true competitive force. He was one of the great leaders of our company and the auto industry as a whole. He also played a profound and tireless role on the national stage as a business statesman and philanthropist,” Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said in a statement.

During his successful career at Chrysler Corp., Iacocca introduced fuel-efficient cars and the minivan and also, the company profited $20 million.

Rest In Peace.

(Reference: CNN, The Washington Post, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, TMZ)

(Image: Osamu Honda, File)