General Motors

General Motors Company

File:General Motors logo.svg GM logo
Company type	Public
Industry	Automotive
Founded	16 September 1908 (1908-09-16) in Detroit, Michigan, United States
Founder	William C. Durant
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Automobiles, automotive parts, defense vehicles, vehicle safety and telematics services, financial services
Website	www.gm.com

General Motors Company (GM) is a multinational automotive corporation based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The enterprise manages four major vehicle brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac, each functioning as distinct divisions. GM has maintained its position as the leading car manufacturer in the U.S. by sales volume and held the global number one spot for 77 years until 2008, when it was overtaken by Toyota.

With production facilities located in eight countries, GM also holds equity interests in Chinese automotive brands Baojun and Wuling through its joint venture SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile. Its broad business scope includes a defense vehicle segment, GM Defense, which supplies military vehicles to the U.S. government; OnStar, a provider of vehicle safety and telematics services; the auto parts company ACDelco; and financial services offered through GM Financial.

Established on September 16, 1908, by founder William C. Durant initially as a holding entity for Buick, GM experienced rapid growth through numerous acquisitions during the early 20th century. The company later emphasized innovation efforts, including electric vehicle projects in partnership with NASA. The present organizational framework was formed in 2009 following GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.

As of 2024, General Motors is ranked 25th on the Fortune 500 list by revenue and 50th on the Fortune Global 500. In 2023, it held the 70th position on the Forbes Global 2000. In 2021, GM declared intentions to end production of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, with a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

Founding and consolidation

At the turn of the century, William C. Durant, who founded Durant-Dort Carriage Company in Flint, Michigan, was leading the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages in America. Although initially reluctant about automobiles, Durant acquired Buick Motor Company in 1904 through Flint businessman James H. Whiting. In 1908, he formed General Motors Company as a holding firm, adopting a name inspired by General Electric. Buick was GM’s first acquisition, followed by Olds Motor Works within that same year.

Durant pursued an aggressive expansion strategy in 1909, acquiring Cadillac, Elmore, Welch, Cartercar, Oakland (which later became Pontiac), Rapid Motor Vehicle (the predecessor to GMC), and Reliance Motor Car Company. He attempted to purchase Ford Motor Company for $8 million in 1909 but was unsuccessful due to insufficient financing. Overextended from these acquisitions, Durant was removed from control by GM’s board in 1910 amid banking pressures during the Panic of 1910–1911 and antitrust concerns.

In 1911, inventors Charles F. Kettering and Henry M. Leland introduced the first electric starter motor. That same year, Durant partnered with racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to establish Chevrolet; however, Chevrolet parted ways with Durant in 1915 following internal disagreements.

GM reincorporated as General Motors Corporation in Detroit in 1916 and went public through an initial public offering. By 1917, with backing from Samuel McLaughlin and Pierre S. du Pont, Durant regained leadership and expanded GM by acquiring Samson Tractor. Chevrolet was integrated into GM in 1918 alongside United Motors—a parts supplier led by Alfred P. Sloan—and McLaughlin Motor Car Company, which became General Motors of Canada Limited.

In 1919, GM purchased Guardian Refrigerator Company (later renamed Frigidaire) and created General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) to provide financing solutions for vehicle buyers.

In 1920, du Pont orchestrated Durant’s second ousting and appointed Alfred P. Sloan Jr. as president. Sloan implemented annual model updates and developed a hierarchical pricing system positioning Chevrolet at the entry level followed by Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac at progressively higher price points—strategies that strengthened GM’s market competitiveness against Ford.

In 1921, engineer Thomas Midgley Jr. invented tetraethyllead as an antiknock additive patented by GM; this allowed engines to operate at higher compression ratios with improved power and efficiency—although its environmental and health impacts were later acknowledged as detrimental. Midgley also created chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals subsequently banned due to their role in ozone layer depletion.

Under Sloan’s stewardship, GM acquired Vauxhall Motors for $2.5 million in 1925 and began investing in Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company; John D. Hertz joined GM’s board during this period with full acquisition finalized in 1943.

Expansion and acquisitions

In 1926, General Motors introduced the Pontiac marque and initiated the General Motors Group Insurance Program for its workforce. The acclaim garnered by the 1927 Cadillac LaSalle, crafted under Harley Earl’s direction, prompted GM to establish the "Art and Color Section," appointing Earl as its inaugural director—an unprecedented step in corporate design leadership. Earl created a design methodology that continues to influence the industry. Bill Mitchell, hired by Earl at age 24, eventually ascended to Chief Designer of Cadillac and succeeded Earl in 1958, profoundly impacting GM’s vehicle styling for many years. That same year, GM acquired Fisher Body, its primary automobile body manufacturer.

GM broadened its holdings by purchasing Allison Engine Company in 1929, focusing on aircraft engine innovation. Also in 1929, GM acquired an 80% stake in Opel—then controlling 37.5% of the European market—for $26 million, obtaining full ownership by 1931. Charles Kettering spearheaded the development of lightweight diesel engines during the late 1920s. GM further expanded by acquiring Electro-Motive Company and Winton Engine Co., consolidating them into the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) in 1941 to produce locomotive engines.

In 1932, GM took control of Packard Electric (which was separate from the Packard automobile firm). The following year, it assumed ownership of North American Aviation and merged it with General Aviation Manufacturing Corporation, marking an entrance into aerospace manufacturing.

Labor relations transformed as GM employees played a key role in founding the United Auto Workers union in 1935. The Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936 culminated with GM recognizing the UAW as the exclusive bargaining agent, granting a 5% wage increase along with workplace improvements.

Innovators Walter Jominy and A.L. Boegehold developed the Jominy end-quench test for assessing steel hardenability in 1937, a test still widely adopted today (ASTM A255). Detroit Diesel was established in 1938. In 1939, GM ventured into vehicle insurance through Motors Insurance Corporation and launched the Hydramatic—the first affordable automatic transmission—on the 1940 Oldsmobile.

During World War II, GM fully converted its operations to support wartime production under William S. Knudsen’s leadership as head of U.S. wartime manufacturing efforts. Its Vauxhall Motors division produced Churchill tanks critical to Allied operations. The Eastern Aircraft Division assembled Grumman-designed aircraft for Allied naval forces. Meanwhile, Opel supplied vehicles to Germany’s Wehrmacht; at that time, GM’s leadership controversially supported Adolf Hitler and opposed New Deal policies favoring unions and public transportation. The U.S. government compensated GM $32 million for damages sustained by its German factories during the war.

In 1953, GM president Charles Erwin Wilson was appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense by President Eisenhower. That year also saw GM acquire Euclid Trucks—a manufacturer specializing in heavy earthmoving equipment—which later evolved into the Terex brand, expanding GM’s presence within industrial machinery sectors.

Innovation eras

Alfred P. Sloan stepped down as chairman in April 1956, passing leadership to Albert Bradley.

In 1962, GM unveiled the world’s first turbocharged production automobile—the Oldsmobile Cutlass Turbo-Jetfire. Two years later, at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, GM introduced its "Mark of Excellence" emblem as its corporate trademark, a symbol used until 2021.

The release of the Electrovan in 1966 marked a pioneering venture into hydrogen fuel cell technology for vehicles with substantial investment from GM. Although fuel cells had existed since the 19th century, GM was the first to power a vehicle’s wheels using this technology, employing components supplied by Union Carbide.

During the 1960s, GM initially promoted V6 engines but shifted focus as muscle cars surged in popularity. The company also experimented with kerosene-fueled gas turbine engines but discontinued development following the 1973 oil crisis.

Collaborating with Boeing, GM’s Delco Defense Electronics designed the Lunar Roving Vehicle utilized during the 1971 moon missions. In 1972, GM introduced rear-wheel anti-lock braking systems on Toronado and Eldorado models—the first such systems offered on production cars.

The 1973 Oldsmobile Toronado became the first retail vehicle to offer a passenger airbag option.

Thomas Murphy succeeded Richard C. Gerstenberg as CEO in November 1974.

GM incorporated catalytic converters into its vehicles beginning with models released in 1975. Between 1978 and 1985, GM advanced diesel engine technology and cylinder deactivation systems but encountered challenges related to reliability and drivability in Oldsmobile and Cadillac vehicles.

Despite generating $450–500 million annually, Frigidaire was divested by GM in 1979 due to persistent financial losses.

Invention of the neodymium magnet by Robert Lee of GM occurred in 1984; this magnet became widely utilized across electronic devices. That same year saw CEO Roger Smith acquire Electronic Data Systems (EDS) from Ross Perot for $2.5 billion to diversify beyond automotive products and services revenue streams. Ross Perot became GM’s largest shareholder but sold his stake back to GM for $750 million in 1986 following strategic disagreements.

Further diversification efforts included GMAC establishing mortgage subsidiaries and acquiring Colonial Mortgage and Norwest Mortgage servicing companies in 1985—adding an $11 billion portfolio. Additionally that year, GM purchased Hughes Aircraft Company for $5 billion and integrated it into Delco Electronics. In 1986, GM acquired a controlling interest (59.7%) in Lotus Cars to strengthen its position within high-performance sports car markets.

In collaboration with AeroVironment during 1987, GM developed the Sunraycer solar-powered vehicle that won the inaugural World Solar Challenge race—an achievement influencing electric vehicle development including GM’s EV1 prototype.

GM increased its AeroVironment stake to 15% in 1988.

By 1989, GM had acquired half ownership of Saab Automobile's car operations for $600 million—expanding its global reach and European market presence.

Divestiture of assets

In August 1990, Robert Stempel took over as CEO from Roger Smith during a period marked by substantial production reductions and financial losses linked to the early 1990s economic downturn.

That same year, GM unveiled the General Motors EV1, a battery-powered electric vehicle representing the first zero-emission automobile marketed in the United States in many years. Manufactured between 1996 and 2002, it was exclusively leased in California and Arizona. GM discontinued the EV1 program, citing concerns over profitability and potential internal competition with existing models. The majority of EV1 units were reclaimed and dismantled, with roughly 40 examples donated to museums. The EV1's history was later chronicled in the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?

In November 1992, John F. Smith Jr. assumed the role of CEO. The following year, GM divested Lotus Cars to Bugatti.

By 1996, GM had spun off Electronic Data Systems to concentrate more fully on its core automotive business. In 1997, it sold Hughes Aircraft's defense operations to Raytheon in exchange for $9.5 billion in stock and debt assumption.

Rick Wagoner was named CEO in February 2000. Shortly thereafter, GM acquired a 20% ownership interest in Fiat through the issuance of 5.1% of its common stock, valued at approximately $2.4 billion.

GM declared the discontinuation of Oldsmobile in December 2000; the brand ceased operations in 2004 after nearly a century of production.

In May 2004, GM introduced full-size pickup truck hybrids with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models, utilizing mild hybrid technology without full electric drive capability. Subsequent hybrid projects included a diesel-electric powertrain developed collaboratively with DaimlerChrysler and BMW for transit buses, as well as the Opel Astra diesel hybrid concept revealed in 2005. That same year, GM sold its Electro-Motive Diesel locomotive division to private equity firms Berkshire Partners and Greenbriar Equity Group.

GM ended its partnership with Fiat in 2005 by paying $2 billion amid growing conflicts.

Beginning in mid-2005, GM added its "Mark of Excellence" badge to vehicles sold in North America but retired this emblem after the 2009 restructuring to focus attention on its primary automotive brands rather than the corporate insignia.

In 2005, Edward T. Welburn was appointed vice president of GM Global Design—the first African American to head a worldwide automotive design organization—serving until his retirement in 2016 when Michael Simcoe succeeded him.

To encourage use of E85 ethanol fuel, GM introduced a bright yellow fuel cap in 2006 and launched the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid that same year.

By 2008, GM committed to achieving landfill-free status at half of its manufacturing facilities through enhanced recycling efforts. It also expanded its two-mode hybrid technology across SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, as well as pickup trucks.

That year, GM’s Zaragoza plant became home to the largest rooftop solar array globally, featuring approximately 85,000 panels spanning nearly two million square feet. This installation is owned and operated by Veolia Environment and Clairvoyant Energy under a lease agreement with GM.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy and government rescue

In March 2009, following receipt of $17.4 billion in bailout funds without achieving a successful recovery, President Barack Obama compelled CEO Rick Wagoner to step down.

On June 8, 2009, General Motors filed for a government-supported Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. By July 10, 2009, the original GM transferred assets and subsidiaries—including rights to the "General Motors" name—to a newly formed company. Remaining liabilities stayed with the original entity renamed Motors Liquidation Company, enabling the new GM to operate largely unburdened by previous debts.

Through the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the United States Department of the Treasury invested $49.5 billion into GM and recouped $39 billion via share sales completed in December 2013, resulting in a $10.3 billion loss. An additional $17.2 billion was injected into GM's financing division, GMAC (now Ally Financial), which was sold in December 2014 for $19.6 billion—yielding a profit of $2.4 billion including dividends. Research from the Center for Automotive Research estimated that this bailout preserved approximately 1.2 million jobs and safeguarded $34.9 billion in tax revenues.

General Motors Canada was not included within the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Post-reorganization

In June 2009, Edward Whitacre Jr., recognized for his role in restructuring AT&T, was named chairman of General Motors (GM) to guide the company through its bankruptcy exit and to rationalize its brand lineup. After spending just 40 days under Chapter 11 protection, GM successfully emerged from bankruptcy in July 2009.

Following the terms of its bailout, GM initiated the divestiture of several struggling brands: Hummer, Saab, Saturn, and Pontiac. Efforts to transfer ownership of Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company and private investors were unsuccessful, resulting in the brand’s closure in April 2010. Likewise, the proposed sale of Saturn to Penske Automotive Group fell through, leading to the brand’s discontinuation in October 2010. Pontiac was gradually phased out without a sale, ceasing production in January 2010. GM did complete the sale of Saab to Dutch automaker Spyker Cars in February 2010; however, Saab filed for bankruptcy in 2012 under Spyker's stewardship.

GM encountered difficulties in Asian markets, particularly with its Korean subsidiary GM-Daewoo Automotive Technology Company (GMDAT), which experienced liquidity problems and recorded a $1.5 billion foreign exchange loss in early 2009. To stabilize its position, GM sold a 1% stake in Shanghai GM to SAIC Motor, granting SAIC majority control and improved access to financing within China. Additionally, GM restructured its Indian operations into a joint venture with SAIC acquiring a 50% share through a $350 million capital injection.

In December 2009, CEO Fritz Henderson stepped down; Whitacre assumed the role of interim CEO and was officially appointed permanent CEO in January 2010. Whitacre resigned as CEO in September 2010 and was succeeded by Daniel Akerson, who took on both chairman and CEO roles starting January 2011.

The Chevrolet Volt was introduced by GM in 2010 as an extended-range electric vehicle combining electric drive with a gasoline-powered generator for backup power. Initial deliveries commenced in December 2010. Furthermore, GM collaborated with Segway Inc. to develop the two-seat electric Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) vehicle prototype, which debuted at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.

Mary Barra became CEO and joined GM’s board on January 15, 2014. Soon after her appointment, GM announced a significant recall linked to defective ignition switches associated with at least 124 fatalities, resulting in estimated settlement costs of $1.5 billion. Under Barra’s leadership, GM concentrated on profitable markets such as North America and China while withdrawing from less lucrative regions.

In January 2016, GM invested $500 million in ridesharing firm Lyft but did not provide vehicles directly to drivers. Later that year, GM acquired Cruise Automation to accelerate development of autonomous driving technologies for ride-sharing services. By June 2022, Cruise secured California’s inaugural Driverless Deployment Permit for commercial autonomous ridesharing operations. Despite posting a $561 million loss during Q1 2023, Cruise targets $1 billion revenue by 2025 and aims for $50 billion by 2030.

Late in 2016, GM launched the Chevrolet Bolt EV—the first mass-produced all-electric vehicle offering over a 200-mile range—featuring battery cells and drivetrain components supplied by LG Corporation and assembled at GM’s Lake Orion facility.

In 2017, after enduring years of losses, GM divested its European operations including Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Group for $2.2 billion. PSA later merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to create Stellantis in 2020.

GM exited the Indian market by December 2017 and sold its Gujarat manufacturing plant to SAIC Motor; meanwhile, exports continued from the Talegaon plant until December 2020 before Hyundai Motor India acquired it in January 2024.

Between 2019 and 2020, GM withdrew from right-hand drive markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand and sold its Thai manufacturing facility to Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor.

On January 8, 2021, GM unveiled a refreshed logo highlighting its commitment to electric vehicles with the slogan "EVerybody in." That same month at CES, it introduced BrightDrop—an all-electric commercial vehicle brand. On January 28, GM declared plans to cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 with an objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

In 2021, GM invested in a Michigan-based automotive battery research lab specializing in battery management systems and pack assembly; LG Chem’s U.S. subsidiary continues providing prototype battery packs for developmental vehicles.

By mid-2023, GM abandoned its target of delivering 400,000 EVs across North America by mid-2024 due to manufacturing scale challenges and weaker consumer demand than anticipated. The company retains a long-term supply contract with LG Chem valued at $18.6 billion for cathode materials sufficient for five million EVs.

In January 2024, GM reintroduced plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as an interim solution balancing battery electric vehicle availability with market requirements.

On April 15, 2024, GM announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from the Renaissance Center to Hudson’s Detroit development by the year’s end.

In October 2024, GM increased its investment in Canadian mining firm Lithium Americas from $650 million to $945 million (currency unspecified), establishing a joint venture aimed at developing Nevada’s Thacker Pass lithium mine—one of the largest lithium reserves in the United States—enhancing GM’s EV battery material supply chain amid rising demand.

Motorsport

From 2004 until 2012, GM actively participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and has been involved in prominent racing events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR, SCCA, and the Supercars Championship. During the 1990s, GM-powered engines were dominant in the Indy Racing League (IRL), especially within the V8 category. The company has also made advancements in racing technology; notably, the Aurora V8 engine achieved 47 world records while installed in the Aerotech vehicle.

The introduction of the Cadillac V-Series represents GM's latest venture into competitive motorsports. GM manufactures dedicated race cars for NASCAR, with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 currently serving as its exclusive competitor. Historically, a range of models including the Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Lumina, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Impala, and SS have all taken part. Chevrolet holds a record 40 Cup Series manufacturer championships—the most in NASCAR history—complemented by additional titles earned by Oldsmobile, Buick, and Pontiac. In 2021, Chevrolet became the first marque to surpass 800 victories in NASCAR.

In Australia, Holden vehicles derived from Monaro, Torana, and Commodore platforms competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship until 2022. These efforts resulted in an unparalleled 36 Bathurst 1000 wins and 23 championship titles. Starting in 2023, the Chevrolet Camaro will represent GM in the Supercars Championship.

In November 2024, GM partnered with TWG Global to announce their entry into the 2026 Formula One World Championship under the Cadillac nameplate, utilizing Ferrari engines. This collaboration positions GM as a forthcoming engine supplier within Formula One.

Logo evolution

The transformation of GM's corporate emblem over time:

Current

Origin	Brand	Founded	Start manufacturing	Joined GM	Markets served today
US	Chevrolet	1911	1911	1918	Americas, China, Middle East, CIS, South Korea, Philippines, Japan, Australasia
US	Buick	1899	1903	1908	China, North America
US	GMC	1912	1912	1919	North America, Middle East, South Korea, China, Australasia
US	Cadillac	1902	1902	1909	North America, Middle East, China, Japan, South Korea, Europe, Kazakhstan, Australasia
Template:Country data CHN	Baojun	2010	2010	2010	China
Template:Country data CHN	Wuling	2002	2002	2002	China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand

Former

CAN | McLaughlin | 1907 | 1907 | 1918 | Discontinued |1942 | Foundation of General Motors Canada; affiliated with Buick. US | Oakland | 1907 | 1907 | 1909 | Discontinued |1931 | Replaced by Pontiac. US | Oldsmobile |1897 |1897 |1908 | Discontinued |2004 | GER | Opel |1899 |1899 |1931 | Sold to PSA Group |2017 | Currently part of Stellantis. CAN | Passport (automobile dealership) |1987 |1987 |1987 | Discontinued |1991 | Offered Suzuki, Isuzu, Toyota models. US | Pontiac (automobile) |1926 |1926 |1926 | Discontinued |2010 | Companion brand for Oakland. US | Rainier Motor Car Company |1905 |1905 |1909 | Discontinued |1911 | Renamed Marquette Motor Company after acquisition. US | Reliance (automobile) |1903 |1903 |1911 | Discontinued |1912 | Consolidated into GMC’s predecessor. Template:Country data RSA | Ranger (automobile) |1968 |1968 |1968 | Discontinued |-1978- | US | Rapid Motor Vehicle Company | 1902 | 1902 | 1909 | Discontinued | 1912 | Merged into GMC predecessor. Template:Country data SWE | Saab Automobile | 1945 | 1949 | 1990 | Sold to Spyker N.V. | 2010 | Company ceased operations in 2016. US | Saturn Corporation | 1985 | 1990 | 1985 | Discontinued | 2010 | US | Scripps-Booth | 1913 | 1913 | 1916 | Discontinued | 1923 | US | Sheridan (automobile) | 1920 | 1920 | 1920 | Discontinued | 1921 | First automobile developed by GM. Template:Country data AUS| Statesman (automobile) | 1971| 1971| 1971| Discontinued| 1984| Division under Holden. Template:Flag UK| Vauxhall Motors | 1903| 1903| 1925| Sold to PSA Group| 2017| Currently part of Stellantis. Template:Flag US| Viking (automobile) | 1929| 1929| 1929| Discontinued| 1930| Companion brand for Oldsmobile. Template:Flag US| Welch Motor Car Company | 1901| 1901| 1910| Discontinued| 1911| Brand discontinued shortly after acquisition. Template:Flag US| Winton Motor Carriage Company | 1897| 1897| 1930| Discontinued| 1962| Reorganized as Winton Engine Corp., later merged into GM's Cleveland Diesel Engine Division, eventually integrated into Electro-Motive Diesel. Template:Flag US| Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company | 1920| 1920| 1925| Discontinued| 1943| Absorbed by GMC. Template:Flag US| Yellow Coach Manufacturing Company | 1923| 1923| 1925| Discontinued| 1943| Integrated into GMC.

Origin	Brand	Founded	Start manufacturing	Joined GM	Outcome	Defunct or sold	Remarks
CAN	Acadian	1962	1962	1962	Ceased production	1987	Initially a Chevy II model with Pontiac styling; later shifted to a Chevette-based design.
Template:Country data KOR	Alpheon	2010	2010	2010	Discontinued	2015	Derived from the Buick LaCrosse platform.
CAN	Asüna	1992	1992	1992	Discontinued	1994	Comprised models from Suzuki, Isuzu, and Toyota.
CAN	Beaumont	1966	1966	1966	Discontinued	1969	Canadian version of the Chevelle featuring Pontiac design cues.
Template:Country data UK	Bedford	1931	1931	1931	Discontinued	1991
US	BrightDrop	2021	2022	2021	Integrated into Chevrolet	2025
US	Cartercar	1905	1905	1909	Ceased operations	1915
US	Electro Motive Diesel	1922	1924	1930	Sold to Progress Rail	2010	Continues manufacturing locomotives such as the SD70ACe.
Template:Country data KOR	Daewoo	1972	1972	1999	Discontinued	2011	Succeeded by GM Korea.
US	Elmore	1893	1900	1912	Discontinued	1916
CAN	Envoy	1959	1959	1959	Discontinued	1970	Imported Vauxhall and Bedford vehicles marketed through Canadian Chevrolet and Oldsmobile outlets.
CAN	Epic	1964	1964	1964	Discontinued	1970	Imported Vauxhall models retailed at Canadian Pontiac, Buick, and GMC dealerships.
US	Geo	1989	1989	1989	Discontinued	1997	Suzuki, Isuzu, and Toyota models sold via Chevrolet dealerships.
Template:Country data AUS	Holden	1856	1908	1926	Discontinued	2020
US	Hummer	1992	1992	1998	Division discontinued; brand later revived under GMC	2010	Originally an AMC property; name reintroduced in 2021 for GMC Hummer EV.
US	LaSalle	1927	1927	1927	Discontinued	1940	Positioned as a companion marque to Cadillac.
US	Little	1911	1911	1913	Discontinued	1913	Merged into Chevrolet in 1913.
Template:Country data UK	Lotus	1948	1948	1986	Sold to Romano Artioli	1993	Currently owned by Geely.
US	Marquette (1)	1909	1909	1909	Discontinued	1912	Derived from Rainier and Welch brands.
US	Marquette (2)	1929	1929	1929	Discontinued	1931	Launched as Buick’s companion brand in 1928.
US	Mason	1898	1900	1918	Discontinued	1918	Became a sister division of Chevrolet in 1915.

Business trends

Analyzing GM's key financial indicators for fiscal years ending December 31 reveals a consistent rise in revenue, climbing from $149 billion in 2016 to $187 billion by 2024. Net income has varied within a range of $6 billion to $10 billion during this period. The company's total assets expanded from $221 billion to $280 billion, while the workforce contracted from 225,000 employees to approximately 162,000. Global vehicle deliveries declined from 10 million units in 2016 to 6 million units in 2024.

	Revenue (US$ bn)	Net profit (US$ bn)	Total assets (US$ bn)	Employees (k)	Car sales worldwide (m)
2016	149	9.2	221	225	10.0
2017	145	−3.8	212	180	9.6
2018	147	8.0	227	173	8.3
2019	137	6.7	228	164	7.7
2020	122	6.4	235	155	6.8
2021	127	10.0	244	157	6.2
2022	156	9.9	264	167	5.9
2023	172	10.1	273	163	6.1
2024	187	6.0	280	162	6.0

Vehicle sales

For 77 straight years (1931–2008), GM was recognized as the world's top automaker by annual vehicle sales before Toyota overtook this position; nonetheless, GM continues to rank among the leading global car manufacturers by volume.

In 2008, GM's major markets featured Brazil with sales of approximately 550,000 vehicles and other South American countries collectively contributing around 300,000 units, figures that were on par with its Chinese market performance that year.

Worldwide vehicle sales grew from 6.5 million units in 2009 to over 8 million in 2010, with China becoming a pivotal market—sales surged nearly 67% in 2009 and continued increasing to more than 2.5 million units by 2011, positioning China alongside the U.S. as GM's largest market.

GM reclaimed the global sales crown in 2011 by selling over 9 million vehicles, securing an 11.9% share of the worldwide market; Chevrolet led as the highest-performing brand with a record-breaking 4.76 million units sold that year.

By May 2012, GM maintained its status as one of the world's biggest automakers, holding an 18.4% share of the U.S. market.

Global annual sales peaked at 10 million vehicles in 2016; meanwhile, GM's operations in India experienced declining sales and shrinking market share due to inadequate product offerings and service quality, ultimately leading to withdrawal from that market.

The Volt/Ampera plug-in hybrid series sold roughly 177,000 units worldwide through 2018, ranking it as the top-selling plug-in hybrid globally and third overall among plug-in electric vehicles after the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S; additionally, the Chevrolet Volt stands as the leading plug-in electric car in the U.S., with nearly 149,000 units delivered by October 2018.

+ GM worldwide 2008 vehicle sales (thousands)

Rank	Location	Vehicle sales	Market share (%)
USA	2,981	22.1%
China	1,095	12.0%
Brazil	549	19.5%
UK	384	15.4%
Canada	359	21.4%
Russia	338	11.1%
Germany	300	8.8%
Mexico	212	19.8%
Australia	133	13.1%
South Korea	117	9.7%
France	114	4.4%
Spain	107	7.8%
Argentina	95	15.5%
Venezuela	91	33.3%
Colombia	80	36.3%
India	66	3.3%

Year	U.S. sales (vehicles)	Year-on-Year change (%)

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Current Board of Directors

Prominent individuals serving on the board of directors include:

Chairpersons of the Board

• Thomas Neal (November 19, 1912 – November 16, 1915)
• Pierre S. du Pont (November 16, 1915 – February 7, 1929)
• Lammot du Pont II (February 7, 1929 – May 3, 1937)
• Alfred P. Sloan Jr. (May 3, 1937 – April 2, 1956)
• Albert Bradley (April 2, 1956 – August 31, 1958)
• Frederic G. Donner (September 1, 1958 – October 31, 1967)
• James M. Roche (November 1, 1967 – December 31, 1971)
• Richard C. Gerstenberg (January 1 – November 30, 1974)
• Thomas A. Murphy (December 1, 1974 – December 31, 1980)
• Roger B. Smith (January 1, 1981 – July 31, 1990)
• Robert C. Stempel (August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992)
• John G. Smale (November 2, 1992 – December 31, 1995)
• John F. Smith Jr. (January 1, 1996 – April 30, 2003)
• Rick Wagoner (May 1, 2003 – March 30, 2009)
• Kent Kresa (March 30 – July 10, 2009)
• Edward Whitacre Jr. (July 10, 2009 – December 31, 2010)
• Daniel Akerson (December 31, 2010 – January 15, 2014)
• Tim Solso (January 15, 2014 – January 4, 2016)
• Mary Barra (January 4, 2016 – Present)

Chief Executive Officers

• Alfred P. Sloan Jr. (May 10, 1923 – June 3,1946)
• Charles Erwin Wilson (June3,1946 – January26,1953)
• Harlow H. Curtice (February2,1953 – August31,1958)
• James M. Roche(November1,1967 – December31,1971)
• Richard C. Gerstenberg(January1–November30,1974)
• Thomas A. Murphy(December1,1974–December31,1980)
• Roger B. Smith(January1,1981–July31,1990)
• Robert C. Stempel(August1,1990–November1,1992)
• John F. Smith Jr.(November2,1992–May31,2000)
• Rick Wagoner(June1,2000–March30,2009)
• Frederick Henderson(March30–December1,2009)
• Edward Whitacre Jr.(December1,2009–September1,2010)
• Daniel Akerson(September1,2010–January15,2014)
• Mary Barra(January15,2014–Present)

Labor Disputes

The majority of General Motors' American employees are organized under the United Auto Workers (UAW), which stands as the foremost union representing auto industry workers in the United States.

Flint Sit-Down Strike

The Flint sit-down strike, spanning from late 1936 into early1937, was pivotal in uniting the UAW from a collection of scattered local unions into a powerful labor organization that subsequently spurred unionization throughout the American automotive sector.

Following its convention in1936, the UAW altered its approach from focusing on smaller plants to targeting General Motors directly by concentrating efforts on GM’s extensive manufacturing facilities in Flint,Michigan—the company’s largest and most influential employer.

Organizing efforts in Flint carried significant risks due to GM’s stronghold over local governance and vigilant monitoring of outsiders. UAW organizer Wyndham Mortimer faced threats to his life while GM maintained rigorous surveillance of its plants, necessitating strict secrecy among union members.

The UAW pinpointed two critical GM plants responsible for producing dies used in car body parts: one located in Flint supporting Buick,Pontiac,and Oldsmobile production; and another situated in Cleveland dedicated to Chevrolet components.

During the sit-down strike at Fisher Body Plant Number Two on January11,1937, police forces equipped with firearms and tear gas attempted entry but were successfully resisted by striking workers. Vice President John Nance Garner advocated for federal intervention to resolve the conflict; however, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed such action and instead encouraged GM to acknowledge the union to facilitate resumption of production. After lasting44 days, the strike ended under these pressures.

This labor action compelled GM to enter negotiations. John L. Lewis—the leader of the United Mine Workers and founder of the Congress of Industrial Organizations—represented the UAW during talks while President Homer Martin was absent on a speaking engagement. GM initially refused direct negotiations with the UAW; consequently, Michigan Governor Frank Murphy intervened as mediator and deployed the U.S.National Guard to safeguard strikers against police and strikebreakers. On February11,1937, both sides consented to a brief contract that recognized the UAW as the exclusive bargaining agent for GM employees for a six-month period.

Strike by Tool and Die Workers in 1939

Known as the "strategy strike," the 1939 tool and die strike represented a pivotal UAW campaign to establish exclusive bargaining rights for General Motors employees. Partnering with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), the UAW sought to address skilled laborers’ concerns and affirm their representation authority.

United Auto Workers (UAW) Strike of 1945–1946

Between November 21, 1945, and March 13, 1946, the UAW orchestrated a nationwide strike lasting 113 days that involved 320,000 hourly employees opposing General Motors. The strike employed a plant-by-plant approach, championed by UAW General Motors Department head Walter Reuther, which intensified pressure on GM incrementally. The union initially demanded a 30% wage increase alongside price controls; however, the strike concluded with a 17.5% wage hike, leaving both Reuther and the UAW leadership dissatisfied.

General Motors Strike of 2007

The 2007 General Motors strike, occurring from September 24 to 26, was the first nationwide GM work stoppage since 1970. Approximately 73,000 unionized workers under UAW halted production at 59 facilities due to stalled negotiations concerning wages, benefits, job security, and investment in American plants. Critical operations in Oshawa and Windsor, Ontario, were among those affected. The strike ended early on September 26 following a tentative contract agreement, allowing employees to return to work promptly.

2019 General Motors Strike

On September 15, 2019, after contract talks collapsed, the UAW initiated a strike against GM starting at 11:59 pm. This action impacted operations across nine states, encompassing 33 manufacturing sites and 22 parts distribution centers. Lasting 40 days—the longest autoworker strike in ten years and GM’s most prolonged since 1970—it concluded on October 25 when union members ratified a new contract. Strikers received weekly strike benefits of $275. The industrial action resulted in losses exceeding $2 billion for GM.

2023 United Auto Workers Strike

The 2023 UAW strike was unprecedented in targeting all three major American automakers simultaneously. Newly appointed UAW president Shawn Fain criticized manufacturers for maintaining tiered workforce structures, stagnant pay rates, pension plan issues, and opposed replacing a five-day workweek with four days. In response, GM CEO Mary Barra defended the company’s "unprecedented" proposal featuring 20% wage increases and improved healthcare benefits while cautioning that fulfilling all union demands could bankrupt GM and impose costs over $100 billion.

Streetcar Conspiracy

From 1938 through 1950, GM allegedly monopolized bus sales and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries, breaching the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 by undermining urban streetcar networks to promote GM buses as the primary public transit option.

Ralph Nader and the Chevrolet Corvair

In his 1965 book Unsafe at Any Speed, consumer advocate Ralph Nader criticized automobile manufacturers for slow progress on safety enhancements, focusing particularly on the first-generation Chevrolet Corvair (1960–1964). The vehicle’s swing axle suspension was prone to instability; cost-saving measures had eliminated a front stabilizer bar, necessitating tire pressures outside manufacturer guidelines and causing hazardous oversteer when tires were inflated evenly.

In 1966, media reports alleged that GM attempted to undermine Nader through private investigators and entrapment involving prostitutes. Nader filed suit for invasion of privacy and settled for $425,000. This case broadened tort law concerning excessive surveillance. Proceeds funded Nader’s pro-consumer organization, the Center for Study of Responsive Law.

A Texas A&M study in 1972 found that the Corvair models from 1960 to 1963 were no more susceptible to loss of control than comparable vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation released National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test results comparing the Corvair with competitors such as the Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant, Volkswagen Beetle, Renault Dauphine, and a redesigned second-generation Corvair featuring independent rear suspension.

An independent expert panel concluded that the Corvair’s handling characteristics were on par with or better than contemporaries without presenting abnormal risks of control loss or rollover.

In his 1980 memoir, former GM executive John DeLorean acknowledged that Nader’s safety concerns were valid.

Journalist David E. Davis observed that despite Nader’s allegations, several manufacturers including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen utilized similar swing-axle suspension designs during that period.

Apartheid

In 2002, South African plaintiffs represented by the Khulumani Support Group initiated legal action against GM, accusing the company of providing vehicles to security forces during the Apartheid era. The dispute was resolved in 2012 with GM agreeing to a settlement of up to $1.5 million.

Ignition switch recall

In May 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration imposed a $35 million fine on GM—the highest possible penalty—for postponing the recall of vehicles equipped with defective ignition switches for ten years despite awareness of the dangers. GM acknowledged responsibility for 124 fatalities linked to this defect. The recall, estimated to cost around $1.5 billion, involved approximately 2.6 million cars globally, including models such as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion, Chevrolet HHR, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice.

Forced Uyghur labor

In 2020, research by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute identified GM among at least 82 prominent brands associated with the use of forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.

Sale of driver data to insurance companies

General Motors attracted scrutiny for gathering extensive driver information and selling it to insurance providers without obtaining consumer permission. On August 13, 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against GM, accusing the company of transferring this data to LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk Analytics, which subsequently distributed it to insurance firms.

Philanthropy

Between 1976 and 2017, GM conducted charitable initiatives through the General Motors Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization. The corporation continues its robust collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, offering fundraising assistance, monetary contributions, and vehicle donations. Since 1997, GM has supported Safe Kids Worldwide's "Safe Kids Buckle Up" campaign, which focuses on enhancing child passenger safety through education and safety inspections.

See also

• Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
• ASOTRECOL
• Crucible Industries
• EcoCAR
• General Motors Hy-wire
• General Motors proving grounds
• General Motors Technical Center
• GM people
• GM vehicles by brand
• List of automobile manufacturers of the United States
• List of GM engines
• List of General Motors factories
• List of General Motors platforms
• List of GM transmissions
• Marinediesel AB
• United States Council for Automotive Research
• VIA Motors
• Freon
• Global Climate Coalition
• Ethyl Corporation
• Durant Motors

External links

• GM Heritage (1908-2008) – General Motors via archive.is
• Generations of GM (1908-2008)

Location	Total sales	Year-on-Year change	Year-on-Year change (%)