Edsel Ford

Edsel Bryant Ford ( November 6, 1893 in Detroit, † May 26, 1943 Grosse Pointe Shores, Wayne County ), son of Henry Ford, father of Henry Ford II, was a president of Ford Motor Company.

Edsel Ford was the only child of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. His education should prepare him forward to managing the family business. He grew up in an environment, therefore, which dealt with the development and manufacture of automobiles.

In 1915, Edsel Ford was his father's secretary. He showed more interest in design issues as Henry Ford, therefore, in 1922 he acquired the company Lincoln. His interest in sports cars showed up at his private car. He bought the first MG, which had been imported into the United States. In 1932 he had a Speedster V- 8 engine, which was specially developed for him.

Edsel Ford in 1919 president of the Ford Motor Company. He took the view that a more modern automobile built since 1908, the Ford Model T, which should replace Tin Lizzy, so-called, could, however, not free himself from his father a long time. Only after sales had declined and returned to the market share of Ford, finally mid-1920s, a new model was introduced. During the development phase of the " Model A " caused Henry Ford for the mechanical quality and reliability, he left his son the car's design. This consummate the Edsel Ford, with the help of the Hungarian designer Jozsef Galamb. He convinced his father also not to use hydraulic brakes and gear drive. The new model was a commercial success and sold over four million copies from 1927 to 1931.

As president of the Ford Motor Company Edsel Ford was often in important decisions not agree with his father. Nevertheless, he managed to push through some permanent changes. He founded in 1939 the Mercury brand and strengthened the overseas activities of the Ford Motor Company significantly.

Edsel Ford died at the age of 49 from stomach cancer. From his 1916 closed marriage four children were born. Due to a testamentary disposition its non-voting shares went to the Ford Motor Company to the Ford Foundation, which he founded with his father seven years earlier.