Petersen, a mechanical engineer and native of Pipestone, Minnesota, began at Ford in 1949 and left in 1990. He spent his last decade at the top — as chief operating officer from 1980-85, then chairman and CEO from 1985 to 1990.

A strong leader with a strong voice at a pivotal moment for Ford, Petersen will be remembered for the Taurus—and for saving the Mustang's soul.

Petersen, a mechanical engineer with a zeal for quality, steered the company during some of its most prosperous years and was only the second person outside the founding Ford family to lead the automaker,

Such was the challenge facing Donald E. Petersen as he rose to become president of Ford Motor in 1980 and chief executive five years later. Pounded by competition from Japan and a weak economy, Ford lost billions in the early 1980s but then surged back into the black and outperformed General Motors and Chrysler in the second half of the decade.

Donald Petersen, Ford Motor Co. CEO, during the 1980s has died at 97. Initially depicted as an innovative leader, his legacy is mixed.

During his tenure, Ford posted record profits by offering more fuel-efficient models but his legacy was complicated by friction with the Ford family.