End of an era as Ford boss Toy dies aged 84

Mar 28 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

End of an era as Ford boss Toy dies aged 84

SAM TOY, the former chairman and managing director of Ford, has died aged 84.

Mr Toy had joined Ford as a trainee in 1948 after graduating from Cambridge University and remained with the company for 38 years until his retirement.

He was appointed to the top job in 1980, after 11 years as director of sales during which Ford vehicle sales smashed records and profits soared.

Speaking in 1987, Mr Toy said the boost in production at the Halewood factory in his last two years at the company was the “most heartwarming event” of his lengthy career.

Production at the plant had rocketed from 700 cars a day in 1984 up to 1,100 despite the workforce being cut by 2,000.

He said: “If it was not for the chaps on the shop floor, the success at Halewood would not have been possible.

“The dramatic way in which productivity and costs have improved over the last two years has been the most heartwarming event I have seen in 38 years in the business.”