History of General Motors in Timeline

General Motors (GM) is a multinational automotive manufacturer based in Detroit, Michigan. It is recognized for owning and producing Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac brands. GM has historically been the largest automaker in the U.S. by sales volume and was the world's largest for 77 years before Toyota took the lead in 2008.

1938: GM allegedly monopolized sale of buses

In 1938, General Motors allegedly started deliberately monopolizing the sale of buses and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

1939: Tool and die "strategy strike"

In 1939, the UAW initiated the tool and die strike, also known as the "strategy strike", to gain recognition as the sole representative for General Motors workers and address grievances of skilled workers in collaboration with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).

November 21, 1945: UAW strike against General Motors begins

On November 21, 1945, the UAW organized a US-wide strike involving 320,000 hourly workers against General Motors Corporation, employing the tactic of the sit-down strike. Walter Reuther proposed striking GM plants with a 'one-at-a-time' strategy to maximize pressure and demanded a 30 percent wage increase and a hold on product prices.

March 13, 1946: UAW strike against General Motors ends

On March 13, 1946, the UAW strike against General Motors Corporation ended after 113 days, resulting in the workers receiving a 17.5-percent wage increase, which was less than the 30 percent they demanded. The strike was the longest one against a major manufacturer and also the longest national GM strike in its history.

1950: GM allegedly monopolized sale of buses

In 1950, General Motors was allegedly still deliberately monopolizing the sale of buses and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

1960: Corvair production year

In 1960, the Chevrolet Corvair was in production.

1960: Chevrolet Corvair first models

In 1960, the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair had a swing axle suspension design that was prone to 'tuck under' in certain circumstances.

1963: Corvair production year

In 1963, the Chevrolet Corvair was in production.

1964: Chevrolet Corvair first models

In 1964, the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair had a swing axle suspension design that was prone to 'tuck under' in certain circumstances.

1965: Publication of 'Unsafe at Any Speed'

In 1965, Ralph Nader published "Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile," which criticized car manufacturers for their reluctance to implement safety features, particularly focusing on the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair (1960–1964).

March 1966: GM attempts to discredit Ralph Nader

In early March 1966, media outlets reported that GM attempted to discredit Ralph Nader by hiring private detectives to investigate him and trap him in compromising situations. Nader sued GM for invasion of privacy and settled for $425,000, using the proceeds to start the Center for Study of Responsive Law.

1970: Previous US-wide strike against GM

In 1970, there was a US-wide strike against GM.

1970: Longest strike against GM until 2019

In 1970, there was the longest strike against GM until the 2019 strike.

1971: NHTSA testing on Corvair

In 1971, the NHTSA conducted a series of comparative tests studying the handling of the 1963 Corvair and four contemporary cars – a Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant, Volkswagen Beetle, and Renault Dauphine – along with a second-generation Corvair.

1972: Safety commission report on Corvair

In 1972, a safety commission report conducted by Texas A&M University concluded that the 1960–1963 Corvair possessed no greater potential for loss of control than its contemporary competitors in extreme situations. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) also issued a press release describing the findings of NHTSA testing from the previous year.

1976: Establishment of the General Motors Foundation

In 1976, the General Motors Foundation was established to carry out philanthropic activities.

1980: John DeLorean validates Nader's criticisms

In 1980, former GM executive John DeLorean acknowledged the validity of Ralph Nader's criticisms in his book "On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors."

1984: Neodymium Magnet Invention and EDS Acquisition

In 1984, Robert Lee of GM invented the neodymium magnet using rapid solidification, commonly used in computer hard disks. Also in 1984, GM acquired Electronic Data Systems (EDS) from Ross Perot for $2.5 billion to diversify revenue and handle GM's bookkeeping and computer systems.

1985: GMAC Expansion and Hughes Aircraft Acquisition

In 1985, GMAC formed GMAC Mortgage and acquired Colonial Mortgage, as well as Norwest Mortgage's servicing arm, including an $11 billion mortgage portfolio. In 1985, GM also acquired Hughes Aircraft Company for $5 billion in cash and stock and merged it into Delco Electronics as part of its diversification plans.

1986: Ross Perot's Shares Bought Back

In 1986, GM bought back all shares held by Ross Perot for $750 million due to disagreements with CEO Roger Smith.

1987: Sunraycer Development and World Solar Challenge Win

In 1987, GM, in conjunction with AeroVironment, built the Sunraycer, which won the inaugural World Solar Challenge as a showcase of advanced technology. The technology from Sunraycer was integrated into the Impact prototype electric vehicle and was the predecessor to the General Motors EV1.

1988: Acquisition of AeroVironment Stake

In 1988, GM acquired a 15% stake in AeroVironment.

1989: Saab Automobile Acquisition

In 1989, GM acquired half of Saab Automobile's car operations for $600 million.

August 1990: Robert Stempel Becomes CEO

In August 1990, Robert Stempel succeeded Roger Smith as CEO of General Motors. That year, GM cut output significantly and suffered losses due to the early 1990s recession.

1990: General Motors EV1 (Impact) Debut

In 1990, GM debuted the General Motors EV1 (Impact) concept, a battery electric vehicle, at the LA Auto Show, which was the first zero-emission car marketed in the US in over three decades.

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November 1992: John F. Smith Jr. Becomes CEO

In November 1992, John F. Smith Jr. became CEO of General Motors.

1993: Sale of Lotus Cars

In 1993, GM sold Lotus Cars to Bugatti.

1996: Spin-off of Electronic Data Systems

In 1996, GM completed the corporate spin-off of Electronic Data Systems, returning to its automotive basics.

1996: EV1 Production

The Impact was produced as the EV1 for the 1996 model year and was available only via lease from certain dealers in California and Arizona.

1997: Sale of Hughes Aircraft Military Businesses

In 1997, GM sold the military businesses of Hughes Aircraft Company to Raytheon Company for $9.5 billion in stock and the assumption of debt.

1997: GM funds Safe Kids Worldwide program

Since 1997, GM has been a source of funding for Safe Kids Worldwide's "Safe Kids Buckle Up" program, an initiative to ensure child automobile safety through education and inspection.

1998: McGee v. General Motors court case

In 1998, the jury in the McGee v. General Motors court case awarded plaintiffs Robert and Connie McGee $60 million after the trial revealed hidden information about a General Motors fuel tank design. GM was alleged to have sacrificed vehicle safety measures in favor of additional profit.

1999: EV1 Production Ceased

In 1999, GM ceased production of the EV1 vehicles and started to not renew the leases. Many people were disappointed, allegedly because the program would not be profitable and would cannibalize its existing business.

February 2000: Rick Wagoner Named CEO

In February 2000, Rick Wagoner was named CEO of GM, succeeding Smith.

December 2000: Oldsmobile Phase-Out Announcement

In December 2000, GM announced that it would begin phasing out Oldsmobile. The brand was eventually discontinued in 2004.

2002: GM sued over Apartheid

In 2002, GM, along with other multinational corporations, was sued by a group of South Africans represented by the Khulumani Support Group, alleging that the company provided vehicles to the South African security forces during the Apartheid.

2002: EV1 Vehicles Returned and Mostly Destroyed

In 2002, all of the EV1s were eventually returned to General Motors, and except for around 40 which were donated to museums with their electric powertrains deactivated, all were destroyed.

May 2004: Delivery of First Full-Sized Pickup Truck Hybrid Vehicles

In May 2004, GM delivered the first full-sized pickup truck hybrid vehicles, the 1/2-ton Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra trucks. These mild hybrids did not use electrical energy for propulsion, like GM's later designs.

2004: Oldsmobile Discontinuation

The Oldsmobile brand was discontinued in 2004, seven years after it had become the first American car brand to turn 100.

January 2005: Opel Astra Diesel Engine Hybrid Concept Vehicle

In January 2005, GM rolled out the Opel Astra diesel engine hybrid concept vehicle, targeting the diesel-hybrid market.

2005: Edward T. Welburn Promotion

In 2005, Edward T. Welburn was promoted to the newly created position of vice president, GM Global Design, becoming the first African American to lead a global automotive design organization and the highest-ranking African American in the US motor industry at that time.

2005: Severing Ties with Fiat

In 2005, GM paid $2 billion to sever its ties with Fiat, resolving an increasingly contentious dispute.

2005: "Mark of Excellence" Emblem Introduction

In mid-2005, GM began adding its "Mark of Excellence" emblem on all new vehicles produced and sold in North America.

2006: E85 Fuel Cap Introduction and Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Vehicle Launch

In 2006, GM introduced a bright yellow fuel cap on its vehicles to remind drivers that cars can operate using E85 ethanol fuel. They also introduced another hybrid vehicle that year, the Saturn Vue Green Line.

September 24, 2007: UAW strike against General Motors begins

On September 24, 2007, General Motors workers, represented by the UAW union, commenced a strike against the company due to a breakdown in contract talks over wages, benefits, job security, and investments in US facilities. It was the first US-wide strike against GM since 1970.

2007: General Motors strike

In 2007, the UAW initiated a strike against General Motors, lasting from September 24 to 26.

2008: Landfill-Free Manufacturing Plants and 2-Mode Hybrid System

In 2008, General Motors committed to engineering half of its manufacturing plants to be landfill-free by recycling or reusing waste in the manufacturing process. They also started to offer the 2-mode hybrid system in the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and pickup trucks.

2008: World's Largest Rooftop Solar Power Installation

In late 2008, the world's largest rooftop solar power installation was installed at GM's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The installation contains about 85,000 solar panels.

March 2009: Rick Wagoner Forced Resignation

In March 2009, after receiving $17.4 billion in bailouts, President Barack Obama forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner.

June 8, 2009: Filing for Chapter 11 Reorganization

General Motors filed for a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization on June 8, 2009.

June 2009: Edward Whitacre Jr. Appointed Chairman

In June 2009, Edward Whitacre Jr. was appointed as chairman of General Motors at the request of Steven Rattner, tasked with overseeing GM's emergence from bankruptcy and downsizing its brand marques.

June 2009: Start of Brand Shedding Process

In June 2009, GM began the process of shedding its poorest-performing brands: Hummer, Saab, Saturn, and Pontiac, as mandated by its bailout agreement.

July 10, 2009: Asset Sale and Formation of New GM

On July 10, 2009, the original General Motors sold assets and some subsidiaries to an entirely new company, including the trademark "General Motors". Liabilities were left with the original GM, renamed Motors Liquidation Company, resulting in a new GM.

July 2009: Emergence from Chapter 11 Reorganization

In July 2009, after 40 days of bankruptcy protection, General Motors emerged from the government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization.

October 2009: Hummer Sale Agreement

In October 2009, an agreement was made to sell the Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. and a group of private investors, though the deal fell through three months later.

November 2009: Funds Available for GMDAT Turnaround

By mid-November 2009, GM suddenly had $491 million available for GMDAT's turnaround, sourced from selling a 1% stake in Shanghai GM to SAIC Motor.

December 2009: Fritz Henderson Resignation

In December 2009, the "new" GM's board of directors asked CEO Fritz Henderson to resign, and its chairman, Ed Whitacre, was named interim CEO.

2009: Discontinuation of "Mark of Excellence" Emblem

After the reorganization in 2009, GM no longer added the "Mark of Excellence" logo, emphasizing its four core divisions instead.

2009: Project P.U.M.A. Presentation

In 2009, GM built a prototype two-seat electric vehicle with Segway Inc. An early prototype of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility vehicle – dubbed Project P.U.M.A. – was presented in New York at the New York International Auto Show.

2009: Challenges in Asian Operations

In 2009, GM faced significant challenges in its Asian operations, particularly in Korea with GM-Daewoo Automotive Technology Company (GMDAT), which suffered from cash flow issues and a $1.5 billion loss in foreign exchange.

January 2010: Last Pontiac Built

The last Pontiac was built in January 2010 as part of GM's agreement to shed its underperforming Pontiac brand.

February 2010: Sale of Saab Automobile to Spyker Cars

In February 2010, GM closed a sale of Saab Automobile to Dutch automaker Spyker Cars.

April 2010: Hummer Brand Shutdown

In April 2010, GM officially announced it was shutting down the Hummer brand after efforts to sell it fell through.

September 2010: Whitacre Steps Down as CEO

In September 2010, Ed Whitacre stepped down as CEO, relinquishing the position to Daniel Akerson but remaining as GM chairman until the end of the year.

October 2010: Saturn Brand Defunct

In October 2010, GM declared the Saturn brand defunct after a deal to sell it to the Penske Automotive Group fell through.

December 2010: Chevrolet Volt Introduction and Delivery

In December 2010, GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), an electric vehicle with backup generators powered by gasoline. GM delivered the first Volt in December 2010.

2010: GM India Joint Venture and Secured Loan

In 2010, GM transformed its struggling GM India division into a joint venture, with SAIC Motor acquiring a 50% stake for a $350 million investment. SAIC also helped secure a $400 million commercial bank loan, using its stake in Shanghai-GM as collateral.

January 2011: Akerson Replaces Whitacre as Chairman

In January 2011, Daniel Akerson replaced Ed Whitacre as chairman, while continuing as CEO.

2012: GM settles Apartheid lawsuit

In 2012, GM settled the lawsuit with the South African plaintiffs, agreeing to pay a sum of up to $1.5 million.

2012: Saab Division Bankruptcy

In 2012, the Saab division declared bankruptcy, continuing to perform poorly under Spyker's management.

December 9, 2013: Treasury Sale of GM Shares

On December 9, 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury sold its shares in General Motors, recovering $39 billion of the $49.5 billion invested, resulting in a loss of $10.3 billion.

May 2014: NHTSA fines GM $35 million

In May 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fined General Motors $35 million for failing to recall cars with faulty ignition switches for a decade, despite knowing about the problem. The faulty switches were linked to 124 deaths.

December 18, 2014: Treasury Sale of Ally Financial Shares

On December 18, 2014, the shares in Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) were sold for $19.6 billion, netting the government $2.4 billion in profit, including dividends.

July 1, 2016: Edward T. Welburn Retirement

On July 1, 2016, Edward T. Welburn retired from General Motors after 44 years and was replaced by Michael Simcoe.

2017: Termination of the General Motors Foundation

In 2017, the General Motors Foundation was terminated.

September 15, 2019: UAW strike against GM begins

On September 15, 2019, after contract renewal talks failed, the UAW announced that GM employees would begin striking at 11:59 pm, shutting down operations in nine states.

October 25, 2019: UAW strike against GM ends

On October 25, 2019, after 40 days, the UAW strike against GM ended when members voted to approve a new contract with GM, costing the company more than $2 billion.

2020: ASPI accuses GM of connection to forced labor

In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) accused General Motors of being connected to forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.

2023: UAW strike against major American automakers

In 2023, the UAW launched a strike against all three major American automakers, marking the first instance of such a strike in history. UAW president Shawn Fain cited issues such as the tiered workers system, stagnant wages, pensions, and the introduction of a four-day workweek as reasons for the strike. GM CEO Mary Barra contested that her company offered an "unprecedented deal" with 20% raises and "world-class" healthcare, while also stating that meeting all of the UAW's demands would bankrupt the company.

August 13, 2024: Texas Attorney General sues General Motors

On August 13, 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued General Motors, alleging that the company sold highly detailed driver data to LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk Analytics, who then sold the information to insurance companies without consumers' consent or knowledge.

March 2025: GM supports Transportation Freedom Act

In March 2025, General Motors supported the Transportation Freedom Act, a bill that would repeal the Advanced Clean Cars II rule.

May 2025: GM supports repeal of Advanced Clean Cars II regulation

In May 2025, General Motors supported a Senate vote to repeal the California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which mandates increasing sales of zero-emissions vehicles in participating US states.