Maurice Dollfus
Encyclopedia
Maurice Dollfus was appointed to head up Ford of France
in 1930. Four years later he negotiated an agreement with Mathis which led to the creation of the Matford
joint project in 1934 in order to enable Ford to grow its French business at a time of increased protectionism
and at an acceptable cost. When the Matford
partnership fell apart it was Dollfus who created Ford’s new plant at Poissy
which was ready to produce cars in 1940 and which allowed the company an impressive annual production capacity (that would never be reached while Ford owned the plant) of 100,000 cars.
Like many industrialists Dollfus was arrested in September 1944, suspected of collaboration in the fevered period of retribution that directly followed the Liberation, and he was transferred to Drancy
(where he met Sacha Guitry
). However he was quickly released and in 1945 received from the Americans an award reserved for companies that had contributed to the allied victory.
After 1945 he continued to lead Ford in France, obtaining from the Americans a ready developed new model that became the future Ford Vedette
. However, aged 66 he quit Ford in January 1950 after presiding over the difficult gestation period of the Vedette, during which the company was troubled by serious industrial strife as well as the huge challenged that faced all auto-makers in France during the later 1940s. Dollfus was succeeded at Ford by François Lehideux
, who was both a former Renault
plant manager and a former minister under the Vichy regime
.
Category:Ford people
Ford SAF
Ford SAF was the French subsidiary of the American automaker Ford Motor Company, which existed under various names between 1916 and 1954, when Ford sold the manufacturing business to Simca....
in 1930. Four years later he negotiated an agreement with Mathis which led to the creation of the Matford
Matford
Matford was a car and truck manufacturer in France from 1934 to 1940.In the 1930s, the Ford Motor Company was quickly expanding its European production. Before 1934,a front wheel drive version of Ford Model Y had been produced with an 8 hp engine under the marque Tracford...
joint project in 1934 in order to enable Ford to grow its French business at a time of increased protectionism
Mercantilism
Mercantilism is the economic doctrine in which government control of foreign trade is of paramount importance for ensuring the prosperity and security of the state. In particular, it demands a positive balance of trade. Mercantilism dominated Western European economic policy and discourse from...
and at an acceptable cost. When the Matford
Matford
Matford was a car and truck manufacturer in France from 1934 to 1940.In the 1930s, the Ford Motor Company was quickly expanding its European production. Before 1934,a front wheel drive version of Ford Model Y had been produced with an 8 hp engine under the marque Tracford...
partnership fell apart it was Dollfus who created Ford’s new plant at Poissy
PSA Poissy Plant
The PSA Poissy plant is a French car plant belonging to PSA Peugeot Citroën located in Poissy, Yvelines. It is dedicated to the manufacturer’s Platform 1 cars, which are cars in the subcompact class, with an annual output of approximately 200,000 cars....
which was ready to produce cars in 1940 and which allowed the company an impressive annual production capacity (that would never be reached while Ford owned the plant) of 100,000 cars.
Like many industrialists Dollfus was arrested in September 1944, suspected of collaboration in the fevered period of retribution that directly followed the Liberation, and he was transferred to Drancy
Drancy internment camp
The Drancy internment camp of Paris, France, was used to hold Jews who were later deported to the extermination camps. 65,000 Jews were deported from Drancy, of whom 63,000 were murdered including 6,000 children...
(where he met Sacha Guitry
Sacha Guitry
Alexandre-Pierre Georges Guitry was a French stage actor, film actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright of the Boulevard theatre.- Biography :...
). However he was quickly released and in 1945 received from the Americans an award reserved for companies that had contributed to the allied victory.
After 1945 he continued to lead Ford in France, obtaining from the Americans a ready developed new model that became the future Ford Vedette
Ford Vedette
The Ford Vedette is a large car manufactured by Ford France SA in their factory in Poissy from 1948-1954. Introduced at the 1948 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, it was designed entirely in Detroit , but featured the Poissy-made 2158 cc Aquillon sidevalve V8 engine of Ford's Flathead engine...
. However, aged 66 he quit Ford in January 1950 after presiding over the difficult gestation period of the Vedette, during which the company was troubled by serious industrial strife as well as the huge challenged that faced all auto-makers in France during the later 1940s. Dollfus was succeeded at Ford by François Lehideux
François Lehideux
François Lehideux was a French industrialist and member of the Vichy government.-Car industry:...
, who was both a former Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
plant manager and a former minister under the Vichy regime
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
.
External links
- Matford constructeur automobile français 1934-1941
- Ford Société Anonyme Française - Poissy
- Collection de l'Aventure Automobile à Poissy (CAAPY)
Category:Ford people