Re: Hugh Ferry: Packard's most underrated president?

Posted by phsnkw On 2010/1/13 12:30:31

Ferry was the head of packard, when, around 1949 to 1951? Still...


A. Production of a V-8 was a definite factor in sales but I wonder why it took around five years for any fruition.

B. Again why take five years for testing or planning? Couldn't they at least have the 53-54's with just the torsion bars to get some feedback before hooking up a leveling system.

C. Didn't nearly everyone have some sort of show car to entice the public? "Look at our sleek designs and ideas for the future and buy our half baked potato cars swaddled with chrome in the lot."

D. Definitely needed some new ideas for the oncoming fifties and sixties.

E. Who knows where that might have led, perhaps to company wide retirement plans giving workers there a personal stake in the company.

F. With George Mason passing away in 1954, beginning a sort of co-op between Nash and Packard in the early fifties would have been great. Could have meant a sharing of parts and dealers. Imagine a Pacific with reclining seats and in-dash air conditioning!

G. With american tastes changing so rapidly and the have it now philosophy after WWII, no wonder Cadillac's 'bling' advertisements made people want a bloated, chrome ladened cow. Neuveoux rich are so easily distracted by the next big thing they forget that refinement and quality are hallmarks of luxury.

H. I don't know about this one. Head of promotion and development, yes. But the last time Packard brought in an 'outsider' and made Packard president was George Christopher. And you know what happened there.