Your most respected people in the motor industry

windiesel · 31st July 2010, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by merve_extreme

Goitleb Diamler:A great engineer and founder of the company DMG that became Mercedes later.Also did you know he was the founder of the Motor Cycle.

Karl Benz:Invented the car when Diamler was riding his motor-cylce and a great engineer.

Wiehlem Maybach:The stupendious and marvalously talanted engineer who worked along with Diamler.

Rudolf Diesel and Nicolaus August Otto:For what they gave to the world.Creators of the Diesel engine and 4-Stroke petrol engine respectively.

Henry Rolls and Charles Royce:For giving the world the excellent cars and a need for perfection.

Enzo Ferrari:For creating the legandary carmaker Ferrari.

Henry Ford:For giving the car a new meaning by making it affordable to the common man and also making a revolution in car manufacturing.

Michael Schumacher:He needs no description.

The Agnelli Family:For giving us Fiat cars.

and also i have a strong liking for JC(Jermy Clarkson).

Right on pal, I was just waiting for someone to name Rudolf Diesel. He's the only one with a fuel named after him.

vintageman · 16th September 2011, 20:08

Gentlemen ,

My apologies that I have missed this thread which has existed from before I joined Team BHP .

It was surprising to note that Super Select & Indian Storms are the only 2 persons who named Dante Giacosa; the person responsible for the FIAT 500 the first people's car all the other who followed just copied on the platform provided by him . The car had an independent front suspension with traverse leaf springs and wish bone , synchromesh gears and hydraulic brakes and an average of 18 km/hr - this was in 1936 and fellow FIAT 500A Topolino owners will vouch there cannot be a more cunningly designed car.

Surprisingly nobody named Charles Stewart Rolls & Henry Royce they were responsible for the benchmark in luxury and reliability . The people behind the most iconic marque ever, which still stands above the rest , a remarkable achievement considering the first Rolls Royce car was manufactured in 1904 and the parent company is no longer responsible for car manufacture ; the brand still goes strong . It has been acknowledged as the "Number One Superbrand 2011".

And last but not the least Henry Ford who revolutionized the industry with the assembly line concept. The Model T was not a great car but the mass production at a minimum price ensured the future of automobiles. He led and others followed suit .

Regards
Chauhan

GTO · 9th April 2012, 20:59

I just have to add Alan Mulally to the list! Gosh, the way that he has turned around Ford, from near bankruptcy, to a profitable manufacturer in <5 years is the stuff of legend. This, after he turned Boeing around just a couple of years back.

Been reading a couple of books on the Automotive industry, and most of the reads commend Alan for:

1. Focus on Product. Even when the resources were limited, he continued to focus on product. Alan insisted that having a range of competent cars is key to success (when the economy rebounds). Easier said than done when you don't have $$$ in the bank & the development of each car can run a bill worth hundreds of millions.

2. Liquidity : Credit for this goes to Bill Ford for allowing huge amounts of cash to be borrowed before the credit markets froze. This liquid allowed them to see through the worst years in American industry without going to Washington.

3. Refusing the help of Washington : Of course, the welcome that the Senators gave him must have only strengthened his resolve. Not taking the tax payers money, or declaring bankruptcy, gave Ford unbelievable brand equity (over GM & Chrsyler).

4. People : The people he chose to retain, and the way he managed them. An extremely humble, smiling, competent Manager who had a way with his team members (read up on this in the book "American Icon" by Hoffman).

5. Getting rid of baggage brands : Including JLR (seemingly regrettable but understandable at the time), Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin etc. Alan wanted to focus ONLY on Ford.

6. Reducing the number of platforms & variants in use, globally.

7. Quality, quality, quality. As the saying goes, there is no problem for a manufacturer that a great car can't solve. Appears that Mulally knew this best.

8. Reducing dependence on SUVs, and actually making money on compact hatchbacks & sedans.

No, he never wore a proper suit, even when going to Washington. Last month, Alan Mulally netted Rs. 175 crore in bonus alone.

urajkumar · 10th April 2012, 11:51

My Choices are

1) Mr Anand Mahindra & Dr Pawan Goenka: For turning around a tractor manufacturer (& of course a willys jeep maker) into a main stream automobile manufacturer. The Scorpio set the ball rolling & the XUV now taken them to a whole new level. I only see them going from strength to strength

2) Mr Ratan Tata: To come up with an Indian Car "Indica" on our own effort. To dream of creating a car for the masses "NANO". The guts to move a factory to Gujarat & not get blackmailed by Ms Banarjee threats in WB. To buy the JLR group during its bad times & turned things around to make it a profitable venture now.

anjan_c2007 · 22nd December 2012, 17:58

David Dunbar Buick, creator of the Buick automobile, was generally ignored or forgotten by historians and the public for most of a century. Buick (1854-1929) was called a “dreamer,” and worse, after he lost control of his auto company and then saw his finances disappear in California oil and Florida real estate ventures. One writer said his name is remembered “only as the answer to a trivia question.” The first statue of David Buick was unveiled in downtown Flint, Michigan, USA on Dec. 1, 2012. Buick’s original home town on the North Sea in Scotland, where a David Buick statue project is also being promoted by the Arbroath Guildry, an organization that boosts local commerce. It announced its plans locally a few months ago.
“It seems incredible that the man who perfected the overhead-valve engine and has since lent his name to more than 40 million vehicles should be so forgotten,” said Ian Lamb, the guildry’s leader. “Buick is one of America’s oldest and most successful brands.”

Your most respected people in the motor industry-buickstatue_015.jpg

picture from Old Cars Weekly

aaggoswami · 22nd December 2012, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I just have to add Alan Mulally to the list! Gosh, the way that he has turned around Ford, from near bankruptcy, to a profitable manufacturer in <5 years is the stuff of legend. This, after he turned Boeing around just a couple of years back.

It was 80% overlap in suppliers which made Ford atleast join the other Big Two in meetings after the Fiasco of first meet.

Another good product Alan Mulally brought in was EcoBoost engine range. This range is conquering in almost all markets where it has gone and is appreciated all over the world. The 1.0 Ecoboost, which is likely to hit Indian roads in EcoSport, is one of the most impressive small capacity motors around. The larger Eco Boost range of motors has given Ford the required breathing space against increasingly strong competition in American truck market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by urajkumar

My Choices are

1) Mr Anand Mahindra & Dr Pawan Goenka: For turning around a tractor manufacturer (& of course a willys jeep maker) into a main stream automobile manufacturer. The Scorpio set the ball rolling & the XUV now taken them to a whole new level. I only see them going from strength to strength

2) Mr Ratan Tata: To come up with an Indian Car "Indica" on our own effort. To dream of creating a car for the masses "NANO". The guts to move a factory to Gujarat & not get blackmailed by Ms Banarjee threats in WB. To buy the JLR group during its bad times & turned things around to make it a profitable venture now.

Exactly my list, but No.1 goes to Mr. Ratan Tata. A man who flatly refused to sell Sumo to Pakistan Army. A man who has done so much for 26/11 victims that the data leaves many in shock about great generosity shown by Mr. Tata.

He has the vision, but did not get support from all is what I feel. Irrespective of that, he is a man who had guts to take over troubled JLR. Companies who have long stood as "British Icons" and "British Luxury Brands" were under the Indian firm. Britishers once said that we used the stuff thrown and dejected by British automotive market. Now they are Indian, owned by company of the land which once British ruled.

M&M. Had nothing but Bolero to sell. Scorpio came in, changed the game. XUV is another example of how M&M is working hard to come up against the tough global competition. Great effort. Irrespective of car purchase or anything, but I do respect these three individuals.

rajeev k · 23rd December 2012, 10:01

I have some more in my fav list where many mentioned in this thread occupy pride of places.
There are additions in my list and they are Mr Jagdish khattar and Mr BVR Subbu.

Mr Khattar, because he made the first foray in India in the organized used car sector with True Value and Mr Subbu for marketing Santro to a success story after Sumos. When initially Santro was perceived as ugly, his words quote: once you are behind the wheel of a good car the shape is not visible unquote were inspirational. He proved those who called Sumo a bread box also wrong earlier.

anjan_c2007 · 26th December 2012, 20:45

Another much respected doyen of our automobile industry was Shri H.P. Nanda, Chairman, Escorts. Here are his time tested views on Indo -Japanese collaborations where he sums up the experience as not as happy, as with other countries.
He relented that they had their own terms wherein their own approved Japanese component maker would supply components, they were not fully ready to part with their technology and that they were not very serious unlike other manufacturers to make India as a base and export hub for their brands.

Your most respected people in the motor industry-picture-5832076.jpg

This was 23 years ago (October 1989) and its is much doubtful if things have changed since then. Of course MSIL uses India as a base to export cars. But nothing much is heard from other Japanese car and bike makers about their export plans from India.

Abhi_abarth · 27th December 2012, 10:32

Never new this thread existed.

For me the most admirable person in the motor industry is Mr.Anand Mahindra for transforming the Indian auto sector in every possible way he could.

The CJs, Armadas, boleros, Thar, scorpio, XUV 5OO and now the Quanto. They just keep coming up with products which are affordable to the common man too IMO.

MotoNanu · 27th December 2012, 12:41

I would like to add Elon Musk. I absolutely adore this guy. He has literally brought the future in the present. Just go through the reviews of Tesla S and you will know what I am saying. Electric cars are no more intended to be labelled as 'concept'. A super car which is Eco-friendly and does not compromise on any point.
He has revolutionized the automotive world in a totally different way and deserves to be applauded for the efforts.

suhaas307 · 27th December 2012, 13:22

John Cooper

10 pages on and not a single mention of John Cooper?

This man single-handedly turned a friendly and practical family hatch into something that devoured muscle cars that were as much as three times more powerful! The iconic Mini would never be the same again!

Chris Harris

An auto-journo reviewer / auto-hack who has worked with Autocar UK, EVO-TV and the Drive Network. I've found new respect for this bloke as he is unbiased, objective and clear-cut. And he is not afraid of the automotive fraternity. He speaks his mind and that has gotten him into trouble a few times. The truth hurts.

Oh, and boy can he drive! Oversteer in a 600 horsepower supercar on public mountain roads while simultaneously talking to the camera like it's just another day. TG can go take a hike!

Horacio Pagani

When lap-times, 0-60s and clinical performance can take the back seat. Paganis are not about these things. They are about passion. Getting into and driving one is an occasion in itself. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is astonishing. They make supercars in the truest sense. And it's all because of one man's dream.

Challenging accomplished manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini in their own back yard! Mr. Horacio Pagani, we salute you!

Jeroen · 27th December 2012, 13:44

I would say Stirling Moss and Juan Fangio. I would consider them to be amongst greatest drivers ever. These guys could drive any car extremely fast and they did.

Jeroen

concorde24 · 3rd July 2019, 10:25

Lee Iacocca, auto executive who saved Chrysler from bankruptcy, dies at 94

Iacocca has been discussed in multiple team-bhp threads and he is the credited for Ford Mustang and Chrysler revival. His auto-biography is a must-read as well.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lee-i...021936291.html

NAVREVV · 3rd July 2019, 13:54

Dr. Dieter Zetsche (Mercedes Benz) Instrumental in shaping up the future of the brand.

AlphaKilo · 3rd July 2019, 14:41

For me,
- Mika Häikkinen
- Walter Röhrl
- Nikki Lauda
- Lewis Hamilton (from the current generation)
- Dr. - Ing., Ferdinand Porsche (the original)
- Dr. -Ing. Ferdinand Karl Piech
- Ratan Tata
- Jayachandran and Anand (from Jayem Automotive for making the JTP)

16th September 2011, 20:08	#137
vintageman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lucknow Posts: 427 Thanked: 668 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry Gentlemen , My apologies that I have missed this thread which has existed from before I joined Team BHP . It was surprising to note that Super Select & Indian Storms are the only 2 persons who named Dante Giacosa; the person responsible for the FIAT 500 the first people's car all the other who followed just copied on the platform provided by him . The car had an independent front suspension with traverse leaf springs and wish bone , synchromesh gears and hydraulic brakes and an average of 18 km/hr - this was in 1936 and fellow FIAT 500A Topolino owners will vouch there cannot be a more cunningly designed car. Surprisingly nobody named Charles Stewart Rolls & Henry Royce they were responsible for the benchmark in luxury and reliability . The people behind the most iconic marque ever, which still stands above the rest , a remarkable achievement considering the first Rolls Royce car was manufactured in 1904 and the parent company is no longer responsible for car manufacture ; the brand still goes strong . It has been acknowledged as the "Number One Superbrand 2011". And last but not the least Henry Ford who revolutionized the industry with the assembly line concept. The Model T was not a great car but the mass production at a minimum price ensured the future of automobiles. He led and others followed suit . Regards Chauhan
	() Thanks

9th April 2012, 20:59	#138
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,538 Thanked: 300,746 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry I just have to add Alan Mulally to the list! Gosh, the way that he has turned around Ford, from near bankruptcy, to a profitable manufacturer in <5 years is the stuff of legend. This, after he turned Boeing around just a couple of years back. Been reading a couple of books on the Automotive industry, and most of the reads commend Alan for: 1. Focus on Product. Even when the resources were limited, he continued to focus on product. Alan insisted that having a range of competent cars is key to success (when the economy rebounds). Easier said than done when you don't have $$$ in the bank & the development of each car can run a bill worth hundreds of millions. 2. Liquidity : Credit for this goes to Bill Ford for allowing huge amounts of cash to be borrowed before the credit markets froze. This liquid allowed them to see through the worst years in American industry without going to Washington. 3. Refusing the help of Washington : Of course, the welcome that the Senators gave him must have only strengthened his resolve. Not taking the tax payers money, or declaring bankruptcy, gave Ford unbelievable brand equity (over GM & Chrsyler). 4. People : The people he chose to retain, and the way he managed them. An extremely humble, smiling, competent Manager who had a way with his team members (read up on this in the book "American Icon" by Hoffman). 5. Getting rid of baggage brands : Including JLR (seemingly regrettable but understandable at the time), Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin etc. Alan wanted to focus ONLY on Ford. 6. Reducing the number of platforms & variants in use, globally. 7. Quality, quality, quality. As the saying goes, there is no problem for a manufacturer that a great car can't solve. Appears that Mulally knew this best. 8. Reducing dependence on SUVs, and actually making money on compact hatchbacks & sedans. No, he never wore a proper suit, even when going to Washington. Last month, Alan Mulally netted Rs. 175 crore in bonus alone.
	(3) Thanks

10th April 2012, 11:51	#139
urajkumar BHPian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chennai Posts: 416 Thanked: 388 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry My Choices are 1) Mr Anand Mahindra & Dr Pawan Goenka: For turning around a tractor manufacturer (& of course a willys jeep maker) into a main stream automobile manufacturer. The Scorpio set the ball rolling & the XUV now taken them to a whole new level. I only see them going from strength to strength 2) Mr Ratan Tata: To come up with an Indian Car "Indica" on our own effort. To dream of creating a car for the masses "NANO". The guts to move a factory to Gujarat & not get blackmailed by Ms Banarjee threats in WB. To buy the JLR group during its bad times & turned things around to make it a profitable venture now.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2012, 17:58	#140
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,331 Thanked: 20,646 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry David Dunbar Buick, creator of the Buick automobile, was generally ignored or forgotten by historians and the public for most of a century. Buick (1854-1929) was called a “dreamer,” and worse, after he lost control of his auto company and then saw his finances disappear in California oil and Florida real estate ventures. One writer said his name is remembered “only as the answer to a trivia question.” The first statue of David Buick was unveiled in downtown Flint, Michigan, USA on Dec. 1, 2012. Buick’s original home town on the North Sea in Scotland, where a David Buick statue project is also being promoted by the Arbroath Guildry, an organization that boosts local commerce. It announced its plans locally a few months ago. “It seems incredible that the man who perfected the overhead-valve engine and has since lent his name to more than 40 million vehicles should be so forgotten,” said Ian Lamb, the guildry’s leader. “Buick is one of America’s oldest and most successful brands.” picture from Old Cars Weekly
	() Thanks

23rd December 2012, 10:01	#142
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,352 Thanked: 1,947 Times	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry I have some more in my fav list where many mentioned in this thread occupy pride of places. There are additions in my list and they are Mr Jagdish khattar and Mr BVR Subbu. Mr Khattar, because he made the first foray in India in the organized used car sector with True Value and Mr Subbu for marketing Santro to a success story after Sumos. When initially Santro was perceived as ugly, his words quote: once you are behind the wheel of a good car the shape is not visible unquote were inspirational. He proved those who called Sumo a bread box also wrong earlier. Last edited by rajeev k : 23rd December 2012 at 10:09.
	() Thanks

26th December 2012, 20:45	#143
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,331 Thanked: 20,646 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry Another much respected doyen of our automobile industry was Shri H.P. Nanda, Chairman, Escorts. Here are his time tested views on Indo -Japanese collaborations where he sums up the experience as not as happy, as with other countries. He relented that they had their own terms wherein their own approved Japanese component maker would supply components, they were not fully ready to part with their technology and that they were not very serious unlike other manufacturers to make India as a base and export hub for their brands. This was 23 years ago (October 1989) and its is much doubtful if things have changed since then. Of course MSIL uses India as a base to export cars. But nothing much is heard from other Japanese car and bike makers about their export plans from India.
	(1) Thanks

27th December 2012, 10:32	#144
Abhi_abarth BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 498 Thanked: 345 Times	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry Never new this thread existed. For me the most admirable person in the motor industry is Mr.Anand Mahindra for transforming the Indian auto sector in every possible way he could. The CJs, Armadas, boleros, Thar, scorpio, XUV 5OO and now the Quanto. They just keep coming up with products which are affordable to the common man too IMO.
	(1) Thanks

27th December 2012, 12:41	#145
MotoNanu BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bangalore Posts: 262 Thanked: 114 Times	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry I would like to add Elon Musk. I absolutely adore this guy. He has literally brought the future in the present. Just go through the reviews of Tesla S and you will know what I am saying. Electric cars are no more intended to be labelled as 'concept'. A super car which is Eco-friendly and does not compromise on any point. He has revolutionized the automotive world in a totally different way and deserves to be applauded for the efforts.
	() Thanks

27th December 2012, 13:22	#146
suhaas307 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,830 Thanked: 12,251 Times	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry John Cooper 10 pages on and not a single mention of John Cooper? This man single-handedly turned a friendly and practical family hatch into something that devoured muscle cars that were as much as three times more powerful! The iconic Mini would never be the same again! Chris Harris An auto-journo reviewer / auto-hack who has worked with Autocar UK, EVO-TV and the Drive Network. I've found new respect for this bloke as he is unbiased, objective and clear-cut. And he is not afraid of the automotive fraternity. He speaks his mind and that has gotten him into trouble a few times. The truth hurts. Oh, and boy can he drive! Oversteer in a 600 horsepower supercar on public mountain roads while simultaneously talking to the camera like it's just another day. TG can go take a hike! Horacio Pagani When lap-times, 0-60s and clinical performance can take the back seat. Paganis are not about these things. They are about passion. Getting into and driving one is an occasion in itself. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is astonishing. They make supercars in the truest sense. And it's all because of one man's dream. Challenging accomplished manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini in their own back yard! Mr. Horacio Pagani, we salute you! Last edited by suhaas307 : 27th December 2012 at 13:25.
	() Thanks

27th December 2012, 13:44	#147
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,101 Thanked: 50,875 Times View My Garage	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry I would say Stirling Moss and Juan Fangio. I would consider them to be amongst greatest drivers ever. These guys could drive any car extremely fast and they did. Jeroen
	() Thanks

3rd July 2019, 10:25	#148
concorde24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chennai Posts: 143 Thanked: 216 Times	re: Your most respected people in the motor industry Lee Iacocca, auto executive who saved Chrysler from bankruptcy, dies at 94 Iacocca has been discussed in multiple team-bhp threads and he is the credited for Ford Mustang and Chrysler revival. His auto-biography is a must-read as well. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lee-i...021936291.html
	(1) Thanks

3rd July 2019, 13:54	#149
NAVREVV BHPian Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Noida-Ludhiana Posts: 237 Thanked: 382 Times View My Garage	Re: Your most respected people in the motor industry Dr. Dieter Zetsche (Mercedes Benz) Instrumental in shaping up the future of the brand.
	() Thanks

3rd July 2019, 14:41	#150
AlphaKilo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: VOMM-EDDW-EDDM Posts: 1,162 Thanked: 1,188 Times View My Garage	Re: Your most respected people in the motor industry For me, - Mika Häikkinen - Walter Röhrl - Nikki Lauda - Lewis Hamilton (from the current generation) - Dr. - Ing., Ferdinand Porsche (the original) - Dr. -Ing. Ferdinand Karl Piech - Ratan Tata - Jayachandran and Anand (from Jayem Automotive for making the JTP)
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