I never wanted Ford to be a place, like the tobacco industry, where our employees were not proud of coming to work for us. I felt there was a danger of that, should we be marginalized as a major polluter.
This quote emphasizes the importance of corporate responsibility and pride in one's work. Ford is expressing a desire for his company to maintain integrity and uphold values that employees can be proud of, rather than becoming dismissive of environmental concerns or public perception. It highlights how corporate identity affects employee morale and societal reputation. Striving to balance profitability with environmental stewardship is crucial in contemporary business practices, especially for industries impacting global ecology.