General Motors Basics

General Motors


Detroit-based General Motors Co. (often referred to as GM) was founded by William C. Durant. Since its founding, GM has become one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.


Chevrolet is a GM brand company that has an almost 100-year history. Started in 1911 by a racecar driver names Louis Chevrolet


Detroit-based Chevrolet vehicles  are the product of 2 men--a former bicycle repairman with a genius for producing simple, well-made cars and a savvy businessman adept at making backroom corporate deals. The partnership produced a vehicle that became General Motors' top-selling car for most of the 20th century.


The Mechanic


Louis Chevrolet was raised in France, worked as a bicycle mechanic and later as a race car driver before he began building cars.



The Brains


American Willy Durant, founder of General Motors, which served as an umbrella company for several car brands, had been ousted from GM in 1910 and wanted to rebuild his reputation.

The Car


From 1911 to 1913, Chevrolet built the Series C touring car with a 6-cylinder engine generating 40 horsepower, achieving his goal of a worthy rival to the Ford Model T.




The Partnership


Durant saw Chevrolet's car as his next project, agreed to secure financing and, by 1915, opened a manufacturing plant in Toronto, Canada.
GM Again


Using profits from Chevrolet car sales, Durant purchased a majority interest in GM again, assumed control and brought the new car into the company fold.
Falling Out
When this 1925 model was produced, Durant and Chevrolet had nothing to do with the company.

Chevrolet disagreed with Durant over the car's future and sold his financial interest to Durant, but Durant was ultimately forced out of GM by 1921 in a dispute with the board of directors.