Former Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca Blasts Both Industry and Government

Former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca tears into the Bush administration and the U.S. auto industry in a new book, saying America's political leaders have failed the nation and urging voters to pick more carefully in 2008.

The 82-year-old Iacocca -- who was urged to run for president in the 1980s after turning around Chrysler -- also says he's for higher federal fuel economy standards, warns that Chrysler could become a "shattered remnant" if sold, and offers suggestions for Detroit's automakers to turn their businesses around.

"We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car," Iacocca and co-author Catherine Whitney write in the first page of "Where Have All The Leaders Gone?"

"I hardly recognize this country anymore," he wrote.


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d1sinfo - 4/12/2007 10:00:01 AM

+3 Boost

I sometimes can't tell if this guy is the complete bozo or not. I mean smaller more efficiant cars, diff gov. leaders are all great things, but to trash the CEO YOU appointed either means the guy is an asshat, or you are.

I will read his book and figure out for myself :)

Josh

woood - 4/12/2007 10:07:55 AM

+1 Boost

From your comments, I'm guessing you're in your 20s or younger?

d1sinfo - 4/12/2007 10:30:01 AM

+1 Boost

Yes I am in my 20's.

That being said, I have read all sorts of amazing things about Iacocca, and his accomplishments. You could say I have looked at him as an icon and model for developing my own business ideas as an entrepreneur. I just can't get over some of his fringe ventures, and if often makes me wonder about his genius. Like I said I cant tell if this guy is a complete bozo or not. I guess it was a demeaning thing to say to someone who I have held highly in the past, but you can't help but look at the last 10 years and wonder whats up.

These are just my opinions.... I am not writing a book or making some sort of statement about him, just engaging in conversation.

Josh

woood - 4/12/2007 10:08:53 AM

0 Boost

Its about time someone with authority and respect comes out and say something.

EnnNorak - 4/12/2007 10:31:40 AM

+3 Boost

I'll give him credit for knowing how to sell and market stuff, including his new book, but I can't remember anything he did that was outstandingly positive from the customer perspective when he was in the auto industry. My brother-in-law bought an early Lee-Iacocca-era Mustang that rusted out and I had a few negative experiences with some Chrysler products designed or marketed during Lee's tenure at Chrysler. I doubt if the current crop of politicians will pay much attention to what he says or writes unless they want to exploit him for testimonial purposes.

woood - 4/12/2007 10:46:11 AM

+1 Boost

I think politics played a big role in the big 3'sproblems. The 3 have many inefficient old plants that for some reason cant be closed down. All the plants have to be running at maximum efficiency and not on capacity. Supply always exceed demand for american cars so they have to offer huge incentives in order to sell. They have to drastically scale down their capacity in the absence of demand for their cars. This would stop their bleeding temporarily.

d1sinfo - 4/12/2007 11:09:55 AM

0 Boost

Stopping the bleeding. Good use of words.

nvme - 4/13/2007 5:50:27 AM

+1 Boost

I agree, but this is only a part of their problem, i mean if you want to sell cars, you have to build stuff people would want to buy... that is easy to say, and obviously would take a titan effort from the big 3 to achieve, but nevertheless, the main reason for this kind of immobilism is due to corporate profit policies, that do not care what is sold, as long as it is... so they keep firing people, selling brands, giving incentives, but what next?