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| We call it an industry — but it’s really people |
We realized a long time ago that there’s never enough space to write about all the interesting things that go on in the car business from week to week, month to month. We have to make choices, and so many remarkable stories just fall by the wayside.
That was one of the reasons we created our annual “40 Under 40” feature, which appears in this week’s issue. We hear about, we meet, we observe the stories of people doing interesting things early in their careers, hitting on new ideas, solving problems and succeeding in impressive ways. These are some people who are worth keeping your eye on.
At the same time, we’ll catch up with another individual this week who’s not at the front end of his career, but at the tail end. Edsel Ford II, pictured above, retired in May, after serving 33 years on Ford’s board and in various executive functions around the business. But he admits to us that he’s not quite ready to walk away. He continues to do what he did so well for so long — serving as a kind of Ford ambassador, reminding people, dealers, partners, racers, employees, what’s good about this industry. Dealers respected him; he respected dealers. He championed them with the full power and prestige of the Ford name behind his words.
“Only dealers can be dealers,” he said, referring to the feeling of factory encroachment into the domain of retailing. “The factory can’t do it.”
And speaking of individuals working together and extending mutual respect along the way, this week we also introduce a new monthly forum of news and discussion called “DE&I at Work.” The topic: Diversity, equity and inclusion.
For so long, automotive companies across the spectrum of activities have recognized that they need to do more to diversify their workforces, their management ranks and even their thinking. We now turn our attention to some of those stories. There are indeed some stubborn problems. But there is also a positive new energy to call them out and fix them. There are best practices to hear about. There are stories to share among businesses, and stories that we need to report.
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“Today’s sentencing action brings necessary closure on a dark past chapter in UAW history. And while justice has been served, the UAW under President Ray Curry and the International Executive Board are committed to continue building a UAW focused like a laser on its members and their families; transparent in its operations; and committed to building upon the ethics reforms and bold future that our members deserve.” |
– UAW STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE SENTENCING OF FORMER OFFICIAL VANCE PEARSON |
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From “Ex-UAW official Pearson sentenced to 1 year in prison” |
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Coming Monday in Automotive News:
Edsel Ford II on his career at Ford and beyond: The great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford, shown above with Carroll Shelby, sat down for a rare interview after stepping down from his three-plus decades on the automaker’s board in May. The Ford family scion discussed the importance of dealers, managing expectations as he came up the ranks at Ford, and his ventures outside the automaker. The “Godfather of Ford racing,” as he is known in motorsports circles, also offered a rare glimpse inside his metro Detroit garage. Automotive News has the highlights from a remarkable and wide-ranging career.
Lithia’s Canada ambitions: The U.S. group is looking across the border for dealership expansion. Offering omnichannel selling capabilities — a seamless buying experience to consumers whether they shop online, in-store or both — could allow the company to significantly disrupt the Canadian market, where online vehicle sales remain nascent. There are obstacles, such as Canada’s lack of large groups for Lithia to acquire. Automotive News looks at the pros and cons of the move, and why now might be the right time for the company to break into the Canadian market.
Weekend headlines:
Ford adopts gender-neutral language: Ford on Friday said it amended its bylaws to adopt gender-neutral language in an effort to build a more inclusive workplace. The automaker said it would use the title “chair” in place of “chairman.”
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Actor Mark Wahlberg to open fifth Ohio dealership: Wahlberg and auto dealer Jay Feldman acquired Joe Firment Chevrolet — a dealership in Avon, Ohio, near Cleveland — and will rename it Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet of Avon. The acquisition follows the opening of four other dealerships by the pair in the Columbus region in 2018 and 2020.
Republican AGs urge EPA to uphold policy on California emissions: A group of 16 Republican state attorneys general are pressing the EPA to not reinstate California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act, which allows the state to set its own greenhouse gas emissions standards and zero-emission vehicle mandates.
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A selection from Shift and Daily Drive:
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July 13, 1978: Ford Motor Co. Chairman Henry Ford II fires Lee Iacocca as Ford’s president after years of tension between them.