At the end of 2008, Ford Motor Company was just months away from running out of cash. With the auto industry careening toward ruin, Congress offered all three Detroit automakers a bailout. General Motors and Chrysler grabbed the taxpayer lifeline, but Ford decided to save itself. Under the leadership of charismatic CEO Alan Mulally, Ford had already put together a bold plan to unify its divided global operations, transform its lackluster product lineup, and overcome a dys-functional culture of infighting, backstabbing, and excuses. It was an extraordinary risk, but it was the only way the Ford family—America's last great industrial dynasty—could hold on to their company.
Mulally and his team pulled off one of the great-est comebacks in business history. As the rest of Detroit collapsed, Ford went from the brink of bankruptcy to being the most profitable automaker in the world.
American Icon is the compelling, behind-the-scenes account of that epic turnaround. On the verge of collapse, Ford went outside the auto industry and recruited Mulally—the man who had already saved Boeing from the deathblow of 9/11—to lead a sweeping restructuring of a company that had been unable to overcome decades of mismanage-ment and denial. Mulally applied the principles he developed at Boeing to streamline Ford's inefficient operations, force its fractious executives to work together as a team, and spark a product renaissance in Dearborn. He also convinced the United Auto Workers to join his fight for the soul of American manufacturing.
Bryce Hoffman reveals the untold story of the covert meetings with UAW leaders that led to a game-changing contract, Bill Ford's battle to hold the Ford family together when many were ready to cash in their stock and write off the company, and the secret alliance with Toyota and Honda that helped prop up the Amer-ican automotive supply base.
In one of the great management narratives of our time, Hoffman puts the reader inside the boardroom as Mulally uses his celebrated Business Plan Review meet-ings to drive change and force Ford to deal with the painful realities of the American auto industry.
Hoffman was granted unprecedented access to Ford's top executives and top-secret company documents. He spent countless hours with Alan Mulally, Bill Ford, the Ford family, former executives, labor leaders, and company directors. In the bestselling tradition of Too Big to Fail and The Big Short, American Icon is narrative nonfiction at its vivid and colorful best.
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"Incredible and inspiring read about the turnaround accomplished by Ford Motor company during the down economy. It provides a great description of effective leadership and shares the strategies Mulally used to bring Ford back. I highly recommend the book. Fantastic read."
— Bean (5 out of 5 stars)
For those interested in the recent political interventions and maneuvers in the auto industry, this book provides a fly-on-the-wall view of the meetings and behind-the-scenes deal making necessary to revive an ailing giant.
— Library Journal“A compelling narrative that reads more like a thriller than a business book.”
— New York Times“A standout…brimming with smart observations and fresh insights into Ford’s success.”
— Fortune“A fascinating read for anyone who follows the car industry.”
— Financial Times“A Detroit News journalist’s in-the-room account of the resurrection of America’s most storied car company…With colorful anecdotes, sharp character sketches, telling details and a firm understanding of the industry, Hoffman fleshes out every aspect of this tale, reminding us of the hard work, tension, and high-stakes drama that preceded the successful result.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Great book for those who follow the auto industry. "
— Kelly, 2/13/2014" Amazing book a must read! "
— Omar, 2/3/2014" I liked the first half of this book a lot (because it focused on finding Mulally) and would have given it 4 stars. The second half caused me to give it a 3. It got too bogged down in the details and wasn't quite as interesting to me. "
— Holly, 2/2/2014" Most well written business story I've read so far. Couldn't put it down. Blow by blow account of how Allen Mulally restructured Ford. Stark contrast with another family held American icon in trouble - HP (Carly Fiorina's book). "
— David, 1/24/2014" A great story of a great man with a great company. An interesting set of events leads Mulally to Ford from Boeing and it proves to be Boeing's loss. "
— Bruce, 12/28/2013" Andy Brockman needs to read this book. "
— Burch, 12/2/2013" Interesting, but not balanced. Does not provide a critical look at Ford. In this book Allan and Bill can do no wrong. "
— Patrick, 11/22/2013" Very well told story of Alan Mulally and his team's remarkable turnaround of Ford during one of the toughest economic periods in American history. "
— Doug, 11/22/2013" The amazing story of the comeback of Ford and the wizard (Alan Mulally) at the helm. Extremely well written and researched. Highly recommended. "
— Nigel, 11/5/2013" amazing book. reinvests your faith in big companies (well some) "
— Danny, 10/28/2013Bryce G. Hoffman is an award-winning journalist who has covered the auto industry, both in the United States and around the world, since 1998. He began covering Ford Motor Company for the Detroit News in 2005. That beat gave him a front-row seat for many of the events chronicled in American Icon. Hoffman has been honored by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press, and others for his coverage of Ford and is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the automaker. He lives in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Pete Larkin has narrated dozens of audiobook titles, won five Earphones Awards, and been a finalist in 2012 for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has been praised for his expert ability to speak in multiple accents. He is also an on-camera host and accomplished voice-over artist for hundreds of commercials and promos for a variety of companies, corporations, and governmental agencies. He was the public address announcer for the New York Mets and has worked as a radio jockey in New York, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.