1999: A good year to be top dog

Top executives at two of the Big Three were well compensated in 1999, thanks to the public's unquenchable thirst for new vehicles. Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Jacques Nasser was rewarded with a sharp boost in pay, earning $10.2 million in salary, bonus and dividends, up from his $6.9 million package in 1998. Ford Chairman William Clay Ford Jr. was paid $1.5 million in restricted stock options for his duties. General Motors Corp. says Chairman and Chief Executive Jack Smith was paid $12.25 million in salary, bonus and other incentives. Mr. Smith's salary was nearly triple his 1998 earnings. GM President G. Richard Wagoner took home $6.25 million in salary and incentives, up from $2.46 million in 1998. DaimlerChrysler AG does not file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission because it is incorporated in Germany.