7/3 5:47 AM PT -- Bill Ford, the Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, released a statement, saying Lee "was truly bigger than life and he left an indelible mark on Ford, the auto industry and our country. Lee played a central role in the creation of Mustang."
He finished with a personal note, saying ... "I will always appreciate how encouraging he was to me at the beginning of my career. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed."
Auto industry icon Lee Iacocca -- forever connected to the Ford Mustang and former chairman of Chrysler -- has died ... according to a family source.
A family member tells TMZ Iacocca passed away, but could not provide any further detail.
Iacocca is credited with saving Chrysler from bankruptcy back in the 1980s ... and he's often referred to as the father of the legendary Ford Mustang. While he was always known within the auto industry ... he became a household name across America when he starred in a series of TV advertisements for Chrysler.
His famous catchphrase in the ads was ... "If you can find a better car, buy it."
Lee was born in Allentown, Penn. after his parents immigrated to the United States from Italy ... and he got his start in the automotive industry way back in 1946, working as an engineer at Ford Motor Company. He's credited with leading the team that created the very first Mustang in 1964.
He went on to rise through the ranks at Ford, becoming the car giant's CEO in 1970 before being fired from his position by Henry Ford II some 8 years later.
Lee quickly landed on his feet, joining Chrysler and becoming their CEO.
In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan appointed Iacocca as chairman of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission, and Lee was tasked with raising money to restore the Statue of Liberty.
Lee was 94.
RIP
Originally Published -- 7/2/19 5:35 PM PT