Executives

Durant almost landed Ford, but couldn't come up with $2 million

James Couzens, left, and Henry Ford, right, agreed to Billy Durant's $8 million offer. But skeptical bankers wouldn't lend Durant the down payment.
LC
By:
Lindsay Chappell
September 14, 2008 05:00 AM
A little now, and . . .

Durant's plan for acquiring Ford Motor

• $2 million in cash up front

• $2 million in GM stock

• $4 million paid over 3 years, at 5% interest

Imagine if a corporation could go back in time and rub out the one little problem that would prove to be its biggest headache for the next 100 years.

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