History of General Motors Timeline

(September 16, 1908 – Present)

General Motors (GM) is one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, founded in 1908 by William C. Durant in Flint, Michigan. Over more than a century, GM grew by acquiring brands like Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile, becoming the world's largest automaker for much of the 20th century. The company faced major challenges including the 2009 bankruptcy and government bailout, but has since reinvented itself with a focus on electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. More Less

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Founding and Early Years

William C. Durant founds General Motors

Sep 16, 1908

William C. Durant founded General Motors in Flint, Michigan, as a holding company for Buick. Durant's vision was to consolidate multiple automobile manufacturers under one umbrella, laying the foundation for what would become the world's largest automaker.

Image source: General Motors

GM acquires Oldsmobile

Nov 12, 1908

Just two months after its founding, GM acquired Oldsmobile, one of America's oldest automobile brands. This acquisition marked the beginning of Durant's aggressive expansion strategy of buying up car companies and parts suppliers.

Image source: Oldsmobile

Durant loses control of GM to bankers

Sep 29, 1910

After overextending the company with rapid acquisitions, Durant lost control of GM to a banking consortium that restructured the company's debt. Durant would later regain control through his work at Chevrolet before returning to lead GM again in 1916.

Image source: William C. Durant

Chevrolet Motor Car Company is founded

Nov 3, 1911

William C. Durant partnered with race car driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. Durant used Chevrolet's success to regain control of General Motors, which he accomplished by 1916 when Chevrolet became part of GM.

Image source: Chevrolet

Alfred Sloan becomes president of GM

May 10, 1923

Alfred P. Sloan became president of General Motors and transformed it into a modern corporate enterprise. He introduced decentralized management, annual model changes, and a tiered brand strategy ('a car for every purse and purpose') that helped GM overtake Ford as America's top automaker.

Image source: Alfred P. Sloan

GM surpasses Ford as best-selling automaker

Jan 1, 1927

Thanks to Sloan's multi-brand strategy and emphasis on styling, comfort, and color options, GM surpassed Ford Motor Company in sales for the first time in 1927, becoming the leading automaker in the United States, a position it would hold for decades.

Growth and Expansion

GM creates the Pontiac brand

Jan 1, 1926

GM introduced the Oakland Motor Car Company's companion marque, Pontiac, which quickly outsold its parent brand. Pontiac eventually replaced Oakland entirely in 1932 and became known for affordable performance cars.

Image source: Pontiac (automobile)

GM introduces the LaSalle and Art & Colour section

Jan 1, 1927

Under designer Harley Earl, GM created the industry's first dedicated design department, the Art and Colour Section, and launched the LaSalle. This marked the beginning of styling as a key selling point in the American auto industry.

Image source: Harley Earl

GM introduces the LaSalle and Art & Colour section

GM acquires Opel in Germany

Mar 17, 1929

General Motors acquired German automaker Adam Opel AG, giving GM a major foothold in the European market. Opel would become one of Europe's largest automakers and served as GM's primary European operation for most of the 20th century.

Image source: Opel

GM builds tanks and aircraft during World War II

Dec 8, 1941 - Aug 15, 1945

During World War II, GM converted its factories to produce military equipment, including tanks, aircraft engines, ammunition, and trucks. The company produced more war material than any other private company, contributing significantly to the Allied victory.

GM launches the first postwar models

Jan 1, 1946

Following the war, GM resumed civilian automobile production, meeting enormous pent-up consumer demand. The postwar boom made GM an industrial giant, and by the 1950s it controlled roughly half of the U.S. car market.

Cadillac Eldorado defines 1950s luxury

Jan 1, 1953

The Cadillac Eldorado, introduced in 1953, embodied the flamboyant styling of 1950s America with tailfins, chrome, and powerful V8 engines. Cadillac became the world's premier luxury car brand, symbolizing American prosperity.

Image source: Cadillac Eldorado

Chevrolet Corvette debuts at Motorama

Jan 17, 1953

The Chevrolet Corvette, America's first mass-produced sports car, debuted at GM's Motorama show in New York City. Production began that June in Flint, Michigan, launching an iconic American sports car legacy that continues today.

Image source: Chevrolet Corvette

GM becomes first company to earn $1 billion in a year

Jan 1, 1955

In 1955, General Motors became the first American corporation to earn more than $1 billion in net income in a single year, cementing its status as the world's largest and most profitable industrial enterprise.

GM launches the Chevrolet Camaro

Sep 26, 1966

GM introduced the Chevrolet Camaro to compete with the Ford Mustang in the emerging pony car market. The Camaro became one of America's most beloved muscle cars, with the first generation running through 1969.

Image source: Chevrolet Camaro

GM acquires Saab stake

Feb 13, 1990

GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Swedish automaker Saab Automobile, taking full ownership in 2000. The quirky Swedish brand joined GM's global portfolio but struggled financially and was sold off after GM's bankruptcy.

Image source: Saab Automobile

Crisis and Restructuring

Nader's 'Unsafe at Any Speed' targets Corvair

Nov 30, 1965

Ralph Nader's book 'Unsafe at Any Speed' criticized the Chevrolet Corvair's handling and safety standards, sparking the modern consumer safety movement. The controversy led to federal auto safety regulations and damaged GM's public image.

Image source: Unsafe at Any Speed

GM discontinues the Oldsmobile brand

Apr 29, 2004

GM shut down Oldsmobile, its oldest brand, after years of declining sales. The final Oldsmobile, an Alero, rolled off the line in April 2004, ending a 107-year automotive legacy.

Rick Wagoner announces restructuring plan

Nov 21, 2005

Facing mounting losses and high labor costs, GM announced a major restructuring plan including plant closures and thousands of job cuts, foreshadowing the deeper crisis that would come with the Great Recession.

Toyota overtakes GM as world's largest automaker

Jan 1, 2008

For the first time since 1931, GM lost its title as the world's largest automaker, as Toyota surpassed it in global sales. Rising gas prices had hurt GM's truck- and SUV-heavy lineup, accelerating its financial decline.

GM files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Jun 1, 2009 - Jul 10, 2009

Devastated by the financial crisis and collapsing sales, GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in U.S. history. The U.S. government provided roughly $50 billion in bailout funds.

'New GM' emerges from bankruptcy

Jul 10, 2009

A leaner 'New GM' emerged from bankruptcy just 40 days after filing, shedding brands like Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, and Saab. The U.S. Treasury held a majority stake until the government fully exited its investment in 2013.

GM ignition switch recall crisis

Feb 2014

GM recalled millions of vehicles due to defective ignition switches linked to over 100 deaths. The crisis prompted congressional hearings, a compensation fund, and sweeping internal reforms under new CEO Mary Barra.

Image source: General Motors ignition switch recalls

GM sells Opel to PSA Group

Aug 1, 2017

GM sold its European operations, including Opel and Vauxhall, to France's PSA Group for about $2.3 billion, ending nearly nine decades of GM ownership in Europe as part of a strategy to focus on higher-margin markets.

Modern Era and Innovation

GM unveils the electric GMC EV1

Dec 5, 1996

GM launched the EV1, the first mass-produced electric vehicle from a major automaker, in California and Arizona. Though discontinued in 1999 and famously recalled, the EV1 pioneered modern electric vehicle technology.

Image source: General Motors EV1

Mary Barra named CEO of General Motors

Jan 15, 2014

Mary Barra became CEO of General Motors, making her the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She has since steered GM toward electrification, autonomous driving, and a renewed focus on quality and safety.

Image source: Mary Barra

GM launches the Chevrolet Bolt EV

Dec 2016

The Chevrolet Bolt EV went on sale as the first affordable long-range electric vehicle, offering over 200 miles per charge at around $37,500. It won North American Car of the Year and signaled GM's serious EV ambitions.

Image source: Chevrolet Bolt

GM Cruise unveils Origin autonomous vehicle

Jan 21, 2020

GM's self-driving subsidiary Cruise unveiled the Origin, a purpose-built autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, designed for shared robotaxi service and representing GM's vision of future mobility.

Image source: Cruise (autonomous vehicle)

GM unveils the Hummer EV supertruck

Oct 20, 2020

GM revealed the all-electric GMC Hummer EV, resurrecting the Hummer nameplate as a 1,000-horsepower electric supertruck. The vehicle showcased GM's Ultium battery platform and its strategy of electrifying even its most gas-guzzling icons.

Image source: GMC Hummer EV

GM announces plan to end gasoline vehicle sales by 2035

Jan 28, 2021

GM announced its ambition to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and become carbon neutral by 2040, committing $27 billion to electric vehicles and autonomous technology through 2025.

Key Facts

General Motors was founded on September 16, 1908, in Flint, Michigan, by William C. Durant as a holding company for Buick.
GM became the world's largest automaker from 1931 until 2007, dominating global car sales for over seven decades.
In 2009, GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and received a U.S. government bailout of approximately $50 billion, which it fully repaid by 2014.
Chevrolet, acquired by GM in 1918, became one of its most successful brands, with iconic models like the Corvette introduced in 1953.
GM has committed to an all-electric future, announcing plans to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

Source

This History of General Motors timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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