What You Need to Know about General Motors

What You Need to Know about General Motors

The General Motors Company is an American multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and was the largest in the world for 77 years until losing the top spot to Toyota in 2008.

General Motors (GM) operates manufacturing and assembly plants and distribution centers throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries. The company’s major products include automobiles and trucks, automotive components, and engines, and it is also engaged in financial services.

The History

Under the leadership of William C. Durant, the General Motors Company was founded in 1908 to consolidate several motorcar companies producing Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Oakland (later Pontiac), Ewing, Marquette, and other autos as well as Reliance and Rapid trucks. GM introduced the electric self-starter commercially in its 1912 Cadillac, and this invention soon made the hand crank obsolete. GM remained based in Detroit and was reincorporated and named General Motors Corporation in 1916. The Chevrolet auto company and Delco Products joined GM in 1918, and the Fisher Body Company and Frigidaire joined in 1919 (the latter was sold in 1979).

General Motors Automotive Brands

Buick

Buick is one of the GM car brands, but it is the oldest. Created in 1903 and later sold to GM in 1908 when Buick founder David Dunbar Buick invested in General Motors.

Since its purchase, Buick has produced various generally considered stylish and upscale vehicles.

On the other hand, Some of its most well-known models include LeSabre, Riviera, Century, Lucerne, Enclave, and Verano. The GM car brand has won numerous awards and is a significant player in GM’s portfolio today.

Cadillac

First launched in 1902, Cadillac was an American luxury GM car brand owned by General Motors. The Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limousine was inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register in 2006.

And has been listed in The Top 10 Best-selling Cars of All Time by Guinness World Records. However, Motor Trend magazine named Cadillacs a Car of Excellence for ten years.

The company branched into aviation with its division, Marmon Herrington, which produced aircraft engines during World War I.

GMC

GMC is short for General Motors Company, an American automaker headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Formerly known as General Motors of Canada Limited, GM Canada is a separate company from its U.S.-based counterpart. The Canadian subsidiary provides products and services to customers in both countries. 

However, there are differences between GM cars sold on either side of their shared border. For example, GM car brands sold in North America can be equipped with front-wheel drive. But vehicles marketed in Canada will likely only have all-wheel drive. 

So, while they share many core features, some variations may make it necessary to consider whether you’re buying a Chevy or Buick (or something else) if you’re looking to replace your car and live on either side of that international border.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is the most popular GM car brand, one of only two major brands under GM car brands. It also includes GMC, while both companies specialize in trucks and SUVs. And some cars—Chevrolet’s most successful models are cars (the Corvette comes to mind).

Moreover, In 2016, 29% of new car sales were Corvettes, Camaros, and other sports cars traced back to Chevrolet. Impala, Cruze, and Malibu accounted for almost 20% of all Chevy vehicles sold.

Additionally, 15-20% of total sales were trucks like Silverado and Tahoe SUVs. It makes Chevrolet more than twice as large as its sister company under GM parent company General Motors Co.