WATCH: Bill Ford Inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

Executive Chair Bill Ford was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame Thursday evening during a black-tie ceremony held at Michigan Central Station in Detroit.

Induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame is reserved for noteworthy individuals who created, shaped, and changed the automotive and mobility market. It is widely considered the single greatest honor an individual can receive in the automotive industry. 

“This is an opportunity to celebrate those who have left an indelible mark on our industry,” said Jon Husby, Chairman, Board of Directors, Automotive Hall of Fame.

Bill Ford has served as Executive Chair for 25 years. He is only the fourth family member to lead the company his great-grandfather founded 121 years ago. During the induction ceremony, he reflected on some of the events that shaped the course of his career, such as the Rouge power plant explosion, the Firestone/Explorer crisis, the COVID pandemic, and the financial crisis of 2008.

“I have seen the best of times and survived the worst of times since becoming chairman,” he said. “Along the way, two major competitors went bankrupt. But our family mortgaged everything including our family name. We survived and then we thrived. Our employees simply would not let us fail.”

Jim Farley, who attended the Automotive Hall of Fame event along with many company leaders, said no one is more deserving of the honor than Bill Ford. 

“Bill has always focused on two things, building a great company that can thrive for generations and making a positive difference in the world. You can see Bill's impact in big things like the modern Rouge plant and Michigan Central Station,” he said. “But his real superpower is how deeply he cares about Ford employees and their families, our communities, our dealers, and our customers. That’s what makes him such a special leader.”

Key members of Project Apollo – the team that volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic to make personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators – were specially invited to attend the induction ceremony in recognition of living company values during challenging and uncertain times.

“Bill has a tremendous set of values. During COVID, there was so much uncertainty, and he provided that driving force and humbleness to just say, we don’t know what’s going to happen but we’re going to partner within the company and outside of the company to make a difference,” said Cynthia Flanigan, Henry Ford Technical Fellow, Sustainability, and one of the members of Project Apollo. “It’s that leadership that gets people motivated to bond together and drive forward with hope.” 

Michael Mazzella, Program Manager, Expedition/Navigator, also served on Project Apollo.

“Bill Ford talks about leaving a legacy to the community, not just Detroit but the world. Being part of Project Apollo and being part of the COVID response made me feel a little of what he feels every single day,” he said.

Previous members of the Ford family inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame include automotive industry icons Henry Ford (1967), Edsel Ford (1968), and Henry Ford II (1983).

Bill Ford’s Impact on Ford and the Automotive Industry 
Few companies have thrived for over 120 years. For Bill Ford, guiding the success of the company his great-grandfather founded has been his life’s work. In his 25 years as executive chair, he has led the company with vision and values, ensuring Ford stays ahead of the curve, often through uncertain and turbulent times.

Ford’s career spans over four decades. He started as a product planning analyst in 1979, deliberately seeking out roles across various departments like manufacturing, sales, marketing, product development, and finance to gain a well-rounded understanding of the business. He served on the company’s National Bargaining Team during the Ford-United Auto Workers labor talks in 1982 and remained closely involved in every set of negotiations for 42 years.  

Ford served in a variety of roles over the years and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming CEO from 2001 to 2006 and later executive chair. He navigated Ford through the global financial crisis without needing a government bailout or bankruptcy protection, a significant achievement compared to other major automakers.

Throughout his career, Ford has been a staunch supporter of innovation and sustainability. He spearheaded the creation of the company’s first sustainability report in 1999 and led the $2 million redevelopment of the historic Ford Rouge Complex, transforming it into one of the world’s greenest automotive assembly plants.  He also championed the development of the Escape Hybrid, the world’s first hybrid SUV.

Ford has always been a visionary leader. He predicted disruptive changes in the auto industry in a TED talk in 2011, and his vision materialized when Ford Motor Company reopened the Michigan Central Station as the centerpiece of a new innovation district in Detroit.

Ford’s leadership emphasizes that corporate responsibility and business success can coexist.