There are a handful of influential people who shaped the course of automotive history

Looking at the size and power of the automotive industry now, you would be shocked to find out that just a handful of influential people shaped the course of automotive history and made the industry what it is today.

From the US to Japan to Europe, there are innovators and inventors who have changed the history of automation forever.

We’re not talking about Ferruccio Lamborghini or Enzo Ferrari either.

So, make sure you’ve got your seatbelts on, because we’re going on a long drive through automotive history using the fast lane.

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A timeline of influential people of the automotive history

Henry Ford

As one of the great American industrialists, Henry Ford truly left his mark on the car industry.

He revolutionized car production by introducing the moving assembly line, which drastically reduced production time and made cars more affordable for the average person.

The Ford Model T became the first mass-market vehicle, and his $5 workday helped create a stable, motivated workforce while boosting the consumer economy.

Ford absolutely set the standard for modern industrial manufacturing worldwide, and his power still lives on through the Ford brand to this day.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

As well as being the 34th president of the United States, Eisenhower – nicknamed Ike – introduced the now integral Interstate Highway System after being inspired by the German Autobahn.

His system enabled faster, safer, and more efficient travel across America, as well as boosting commerce and encouraging the boom of suburbia.

With the US being so large, Ike really connected people together all across America and led to the birth of long-distance trucking.

Kiichiro Toyoda

One of the most influential people in car production is Japanese innovator Kiichiro Toyoda.

He was the founder of the Toyota Motor Company and still to this day, many car manufacturers still use ‘The Toyota Way’ in their industrial processes.

He introduced a process called just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, which emphasized producing only what is needed, when it was needed in order to minimize waste, reduce costs and maximize efficiency.

This ‘Toyota Way’ has been picked up through the years by General Motors, Ford and even newer EV brands like Tesla.

Ferdinand Piëch

The Austrian engineer, Ferdinand Piëch is an automotive innovator who has been sadly a little lost to time.

He was an executive at Volkswagen Group and Porsche and even though his name was never on any of the car models, his influence is seen in almost every single car manufacturer’s work.

He demanded top-tier engineering standards and luxury excellence and played a central role in developing high-performance cars like the Porsche 917.

Piëch’s focus on precision, innovation, and brand expansion helped shape modern automotive luxury brands and automotive history as a whole.

Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca is an American responsible for some of the best All-American brands like leading the development of the Ford Mustang and later saving Chrysler from bankruptcy in the 80s.

He made the minivan cool and became the face of the automotive industry through TV ads and product design and branding.

He changed how cars were sold to the public and taught automakers how to connect with consumers – as well as navigate times of financial hardship.

So there you have it, a series of influential people who have truly changed the history of the automotive industry as we know it.

You can see the influence that each of these people had through the vehicles that are released today and the way they are sold, produced and delivered to consumers.

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