Charles W. Nash

For other people with the same name, see Charles Nash (disambiguation).

Charles W. Nash
Born
Charles Williams Nash

(1864-01-28)January 28, 1864
Cortland, Illinois
DiedJune 6, 1948(1948-06-06) (aged 84)
Beverly Hills, California
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Automobile industry entrepreneur and executive
Years active1890–1936
Employers
Known for
SpouseJessie Halleck
Awards

Charles Williams Nash (28 January 1864 – 6 June 1948) was an American automobile entrepreneur who served as an executive in the automotive industry. He played a significant role in building up General Motors as its fifth president. In 1916, he bought Thomas B. Jeffery Company, makers of the popular Rambler automobile, and renamed it Nash Motors. The resulting firm played an independent role in an automobile industry increasingly dominated by the Big Three: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.

Nash's profits came from focusing on one well-designed car in the upper-medium price range. He bought several distressed companies in Wisconsin, merging them and installing advanced managerial accounting procedures while cutting costs and focusing on long-term growth. He retired as president in 1932, but remained chairman of the board. He facilitated the merger in 1937 with Kelvinator, a manufacturer of refrigerators, home appliances, and commercial refrigeration.

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