Business
Leonard A. Lauder
(Estée Lauder Companies)

Former Estée Lauder CEO Leonard A. Lauder passes away, leaving transformative beauty legacy

The longtime executive helped shape Estée Lauder into a global beauty leader with brand-defining deals and vision.

Nia Warfield

Longtime Estée Lauder Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder has passed away after more than 60 years with the company.

Leonard was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. He officially joined the business in 1958, played a key role in its expansion, and was pivotal in the company’s transformation into a global beauty empire. He served as president from 1972 to 1995, CEO from 1982 to 1999, and chairman from 1995 through 2009.

In addition to establishing the company’s first research and development lab, Lauder was instrumental in acquiring some of the most recognizable names in beauty, including Aveda, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, and MAC Cosmetics.

Estée Lauder shares rose more than 10% Monday and is now flat on the year.

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Max Knoblauch

Ford reportedly in talks to buy hybrid vehicle batteries from Chinese auto giant BYD

Detroit’s Ford and China’s BYD are said to be in ongoing talks to partner on an agreement that would see Ford buy hybrid vehicle batteries from BYD, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal.

The report comes just days after President Trump toured a Ford factory in Michigan and implied openness to Chinese automakers coming to the US.

“If they want to come in and build a plant... that’s great, I love that,” Trump said on January 13. “Let China come in, let Japan come in.”

Last week, China’s Geely Automobile Holdings said it expects to make an announcement about expanding into the US within the next three years. Chinese carmakers currently face huge tariffs and software restrictions, effectively barring their vehicles from the US.

Ford has doubled down on hybrid vehicles amid high EV costs and the end of federal EV tax credits. The automaker is currently building a battery plant in Michigan where it plans to use tech from Chinese battery maker CATL.

Exclusive | Ford, China’s BYD in Talks for Hybrid-Vehicle Batteries After EV Market Flames Out

Exclusive | Ford, China’s BYD in Talks for Hybrid-Vehicle Batteries After EV Market Flames Out

“If they want to come in and build a plant... that’s great, I love that,” Trump said on January 13. “Let China come in, let Japan come in.”

Last week, China’s Geely Automobile Holdings said it expects to make an announcement about expanding into the US within the next three years. Chinese carmakers currently face huge tariffs and software restrictions, effectively barring their vehicles from the US.

Ford has doubled down on hybrid vehicles amid high EV costs and the end of federal EV tax credits. The automaker is currently building a battery plant in Michigan where it plans to use tech from Chinese battery maker CATL.

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