General Motors (GM) is a prominent American multinational automotive manufacturer based in Detroit, Michigan. It's recognized for owning and producing the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac brands, each functioning as a distinct division within GM. GM held the title of the largest automaker in the United States by total sales and was the world's largest for 77 years before Toyota surpassed it in 2008.
Allstate Corp, National Pension Service, and Geode Capital Management LLC increased their stakes in General Motors. These investments reflect confidence in GM's future and potential growth.
In 1931, General Motors overtook Ford Motor Company to become the largest global automaker by annual vehicle sales.
After the first convention of UAW in 1936, the union decided that it could not survive by piecemeal organizing campaigns at smaller plants, but that it could organize the automobile industry only by going after its biggest and most powerful employer, General Motors.
In 1936, organizing in Flint was difficult and dangerous. According to Wyndham Mortimer, he received a death threat by an anonymous caller when he visited Flint in 1936.
In 1936, the Flint sit-down strike against General Motors began.
On January 11, 1937, during the UAW sit-down strike in Flint, police attempted to enter the Fisher Body 2 plant, but strikers repelled them with hinges, bottles, and bolts. At the time, Vice President John Nance Garner supported federal intervention to break up the Flint Strike, an idea rejected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president urged GM to distinguish a union so the plants could re-open.
The 1936–1937 Flint sit-down strike against General Motors changed the UAW from a collection of isolated local unions into a major labor union.
From 1938, GM allegedly started deliberately monopolizing the sale of buses and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries.
In 1939, the UAW initiated the "strategy strike", a successful effort to gain recognition as the sole representative for General Motors workers. The UAW, in collaboration with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), aimed to address the grievances of skilled workers and secure representation rights.
On November 21, 1945, the UAW organized "320,000 hourly workers" to strike against General Motors Corporation, employing the tactic of the sit-down strike. Walter Reuther, as director of the UAW's General Motors Department, proposed striking GM manufacturing plants with a 'one-at-a-time' strategy to maximize pressure. The strikers demanded a 30 percent wage increase and a price freeze on products.
On March 13, 1946, the 113 day UAW strike against General Motors ended, which had begun on November 21, 1945. Despite Walter Reuther's demands for a 30% wage increase and price controls, the workers ultimately received only a 17.5% wage increase, leading to dissatisfaction among Reuther and the UAW.
Until 1950, GM allegedly deliberately monopolized the sale of buses and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries, violating the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. The company intended to dismantle streetcar systems in many cities in the United States and make buses, sold by GM, the dominant form of public transport.
In 1960, the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair was introduced which had a swing axle suspension design that was prone to 'tuck under' in certain circumstances.
In 1972, a safety commission report by Texas A&M University concluded that the 1960 Corvair was no more prone to loss of control than its competitors in extreme situations.
In 1972, a safety commission report by Texas A&M University concluded that the 1963 Corvair was no more prone to loss of control than its competitors in extreme situations.
In 1964, Ralph Nader focused on the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair's design. To compensate for the removal of a front stabilizer bar (anti-roll bar) as a cost-cutting measure, Corvairs required tire pressures that were outside of the tire manufacturer's recommended tolerances.
In 1965, Ralph Nader published "Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile", accusing car manufacturers of being slow to introduce safety features. The book focused on the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair (1960–1964) and its swing axle suspension design.
In early March 1966, media outlets reported that GM had tried to discredit Ralph Nader by hiring private detectives to tap his phones, investigate his past, and hire prostitutes to set him up. Nader sued the company for invasion of privacy and settled for $425,000. He then used the proceeds to start the pro-consumer Center for Study of Responsive Law.
Holden won the Bathurst 1000 in 1968.
In 1970, there was a US-wide strike against GM before the strike that occurred on September 24, 2007 by General Motors workers, represented by the UAW union.
In 1971, 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 (with its completely redesigned, independent rear suspension). The 143-page report reviewed NHTSA's extreme-condition handling tests, national crash-involvement data for the cars in the test as well as General Motors' internal documentation regarding the Corvair's handling.
In 1972, a safety commission report by Texas A&M University concluded that the 1960–1963 Corvair was no more prone to loss of control than its competitors in extreme situations. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a press release describing the findings of NHTSA testing from the previous year.
In 1976, philanthropic activity was carried out via the General Motors Foundation.
In 1980, former GM executive John DeLorean wrote in his book On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors that Nader's criticisms were valid.
In 1984, Robert Lee of GM invented the neodymium magnet and GM acquired Electronic Data Systems (EDS) for $2.5 billion from Ross Perot, aiming to diversify its revenue streams and improve its computer systems.
In 1985, GMAC formed GMAC Mortgage and acquired Colonial Mortgage along with Norwest Mortgage's servicing arm. Also, GM acquired Hughes Aircraft Company for $5 billion and merged it into Delco Electronics.
In 1986, due to disagreements with CEO Roger Smith, GM bought all shares held by Ross Perot for $750 million.
In 1987, GM, in conjunction with AeroVironment, built the Sunraycer, which won the inaugural World Solar Challenge and showcased advanced technology that later influenced the Impact prototype electric vehicle and ultimately, the General Motors EV1.
In 1989, GM acquired half of Saab Automobile's car operations for $600 million.
In August 1990, Robert Stempel succeeded Roger Smith as CEO of GM. The company then significantly cut output and faced losses due to the recession of the early 1990s.
In 1990, GM debuted the General Motors EV1 (Impact) concept, a battery electric vehicle, at the LA Auto Show, marketing the first zero-emission car in the US in over three decades.
In November 1992, John F. Smith Jr. became CEO of General Motors.
In 1996, GM completed the corporate spin-off of Electronic Data Systems, returning to its automotive basics.
In 1996, 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.
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.
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.
In 1998, the jury in McGee v. General Motors awarded plaintiffs Robert and Connie McGee $60 million. The trial revealed hidden information about a General Motors fuel tank design, alleging that GM sacrificed vehicle safety for profit. This case was featured on CNN, 60 Minutes, The New York Times, and USA Today.
From 1999, GM ceased production of the EV1 vehicles and started to not renew the leases, disappointing many people.
In February 2000, Rick Wagoner was named CEO of GM, succeeding Smith.
In December 2000, GM announced it would begin phasing out Oldsmobile.
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.
In 2002, GM had returned all of the EV1s to General Motors, and except for around 40 which were donated to museums with their electric powertrains deactivated, all were destroyed.
In May 2004, GM delivered the first full-sized pickup truck hybrid vehicles, the 1/2-ton Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra trucks.
In 2004, GM participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
In 2004, Oldsmobile was officially discontinued by GM, seven years after it had become the first American car brand to turn 100.
In January 2005, GM rolled out the Opel Astra diesel engine hybrid concept vehicle.
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.
In 2005, GM paid $2 billion to sever its ties with Fiat due to an increasingly contentious dispute.
In mid-2005, GM began adding its "Mark of Excellence" emblem on all new vehicles produced and sold in North America.
In 2006, GM introduced a bright yellow fuel cap on its vehicles to indicate E85 ethanol fuel compatibility and launched the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid vehicle.
On September 24, 2007, General Motors workers, represented by the UAW union, went on strike against the company. This was the first US-wide strike against GM since 1970, and was expected to shut down 59 plants and facilities indefinitely. The strike was prompted by failed contract negotiations regarding wages, benefits, job security, and investments in US facilities.
In 2007, the UAW initiated a strike against General Motors, which lasted from September 24 to 26, 2007.
In 2008, Brazil was the third-largest individual country by sales for General Motors, with approximately 550,000 GM vehicles sold.
In 2008, Toyota overtook General Motors as the largest global automaker by annual vehicle sales, ending GM's 77-year reign.
In late 2008, the world's largest rooftop solar power installation was installed at GM's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza.
In March 2009, President Barack Obama forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner due to GM's ineffective turnaround despite receiving $17.4 billion in bailouts.
On June 8, 2009, General Motors filed for a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization.
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.
In June 2009, GM announced that the Saturn brand would be sold to the Penske Automotive Group.
On July 10, 2009, the original General Motors sold assets and some subsidiaries to an entirely new company, including the trademark "General Motors", leaving liabilities with the original GM, renamed Motors Liquidation Company, resulting in a new GM.
In July 2009, after 40 days of bankruptcy protection, General Motors emerged from the government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization.
In October 2009, GM reached an agreement to sell the Hummer brand to China-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd.
By mid-November 2009, GM sold a 1% stake in Shanghai GM to SAIC Motor, effectively giving SAIC Motor controlling interest in the venture.
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.
After the reorganization in 2009, GM stopped adding the "Mark of Excellence" logo, emphasizing its four core divisions instead.
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 2009 New York International Auto Show.
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 due to a $1.5 billion loss in foreign exchange in the first quarter.
In 2009, General Motors sold 6.5 million cars and trucks globally, with sales in China rising 66.9% to 1,830,000 vehicles.
As part of its bailout agreement, GM opted not to sell its Pontiac brand and the last Pontiac was built in January 2010.
In February 2010, GM closed the sale of Saab Automobile to Dutch automaker Spyker Cars.
In April 2010, GM officially announced it was shutting down the Hummer brand after the deal with Sichuan Tengzhong fell through.
In September 2010, Ed Whitacre stepped down as CEO of GM, relinquishing the position to fellow GM board member Daniel Akerson.
In October 2010, GM declared the Saturn brand defunct after a deal to sell to Penske Automotive Group fell through.
Global Volt/Ampera family sales totalled about 177,000 units from its inception in December 2010 through 2018.
In 2010, General Motors ranked second worldwide with 8.5 million vehicles produced. Vehicle sales in China by GM rose 28.8% to a record 2,351,610 units.
In 2010, General Motors sold 8.39 million cars and trucks globally.
In its 2010 SEC filing, GM clarified that SAIC had helped secure a $400 million commercial bank loan, using its stake in Shanghai-GM as collateral.
In January 2011, Daniel Akerson replaced Ed Whitacre as chairman, while continuing as CEO.
In 2011, GM returned to the first place with 9.025 million units sold worldwide, corresponding to 11.9% market share of the global motor vehicle industry. The top two markets were China, with 2,547,203 units, and the United States, with 2,503,820 vehicles sold.
In May 2012, GM recorded an 18.4% market share in the U.S. with stock imported.
Based on global sales in 2012, General Motors was ranked among the world's largest automakers.
In 2012, GM participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
In 2012, GM settled a lawsuit filed in 2002 with South African plaintiffs, agreeing to pay up to $1.5 million related to allegations of providing vehicles to South African security forces during the Apartheid.
In 2012, the Saab division declared bankruptcy after continuing to perform poorly under Spyker's management.
On December 9, 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury sold its shares in General Motors, recovering $39 billion of its $49.5 billion investment, resulting in a $10.3 billion loss.
On January 15, 2014, Mary Barra succeeded Daniel Akerson as the chief executive officer of General Motors. Barra also joined the GM board on this date.
In May 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined GM $35 million for failing to recall cars with faulty ignition switches for a decade, despite knowing there was a problem. There were 124 deaths linked to General Motors' deliberate failure to recall the cars, and the company paid compensation as a result. The recall involved about 2.6 million GM cars worldwide. The total cost of the recall was estimated to be $1.5 billion. The switches of concern had been installed in many other cars, such as the Pontiac G5, the Saturn Ion, the Chevrolet HHR, the Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice.
On December 18, 2014, the US Treasury sold its shares in Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) for $19.6 billion, netting the government $2.4 billion in profit, including dividends, on top of an initial $17.2 billion investment.
Global Volt/Ampera family sales included over 10,000 Opel/Vauxhall Amperas sold in Europe up to December 2015.
On January 4, 2016, General Motors made its first investment in a ridesharing company, investing $500 million in Lyft.
In March 2016, GM acquired Cruise, a self-driving vehicle start-up based in San Francisco, to develop self-driving cars for ride-sharing fleets.
From April 2016 – March 2017, sales in India for General Motors declined to 25,823 units from 32,540 the previous year. Exports surged 89% during the same period to 70,969 units.
On July 1, 2016, Edward T. Welburn retired from General Motors after 44 years. He was replaced by Michael Simcoe.
In October 2016, GM started production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the first mass-market all-electric car with a range exceeding 200 miles (320 km).
From April 2016 – March 2017, sales in India for General Motors declined to 25,823 units from 32,540 the previous year. Exports surged 89% during the same period to 70,969 units.
In December 2017, General Motors ceased vehicle sales in India and sold its Gujarat plant to SAIC Motor.
In 2017, General Motors sold General Motors Europe, which produced the German Opel and British Vauxhall brands, to the French PSA Group for US$2.2 billion after 16 years of losses.
In 2017, the General Motors Foundation was terminated, which had been carrying out philanthropic activity since 1976.
As of September 2018, the Volt family of vehicles ranked as the world's all-time top-selling plug-in hybrid.
As of October 2018, the Volt family of vehicles ranked as the world's all-time top-selling plug-in hybrid.
On September 15, 2019, following failed contract renewal talks, the UAW announced that GM employees would begin striking at 11:59 pm after the contract expired. This action shut down operations in nine states, affecting 33 manufacturing plants and 22 parts distribution warehouses.
On October 25, 2019, after 40 days, the "longest strike by autoworkers in a decade" and the longest against GM since 1970 ended when United Auto Workers members voted to approve a new contract with GM. Striking labor union members received a $275 a week strike pay salary for the duration of the strike. The strike cost GM more than $2 billion.
In December 2019, General Motors established Ultium Cells, an electric battery joint venture with LG Chem in the US.
In 2019, GM pulled out of Indonesia, another right-hand drive market.
On February 17, 2020, GM announced its exit from Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, its major right-hand drive markets, stating it would no longer produce right-hand drive vehicles globally.
In December 2020, GM's Talegaon plant, which remained operational for export production, ceased operations.
In 2020, PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, creating a new entity named Stellantis.
In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute accused at least 82 major brands, including General Motors, of being connected to forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.
On January 8, 2021, General Motors introduced a new logo along with the tagline "EVerybody in," emphasizing the company's commitment to electric vehicles with a stylized "EV" in the logo's design.
In January 2021, GM launched BrightDrop, a brand dedicated to all-electric commercial vehicles, at the Consumer Electronics Show.
On January 28, 2021, General Motors announced that it will end production and sales of fossil-fuel vehicles (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) by 2035 as part of a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
In 2021, Chevrolet became the first brand to reach 800 wins in NASCAR.
In 2021, General Motors announced plans to establish an automotive battery and battery pack laboratory in Michigan, focusing on battery management systems, power electronics, thermal management, and pack assembly.
In June 2022, Cruise was granted California's first Driverless Deployment Permit, enabling it to charge fees and offer fully autonomous rides in a major public city.
Until 2022, Holden cars based on the Monaro, Torana, and Commodore platforms were raced in the Australian Touring Car Championship.
In 2023, the UAW launched a strike against all three major American automakers. Then-recently elected UAW president Shawn Fain expressed dissatisfaction with the tiered worker system, wage stagnation, pensions, and the introduction of a four-day workweek. GM CEO Mary Barra defended the company's offer, citing 20% raises and "world-class" healthcare, and warned that meeting all demands would bankrupt the company.
In mid-2023, GM abandoned its goal of delivering 400,000 electric vehicles in North America by mid-2024, after initially setting a goal for the end of 2023. CEO Mary Barra cited issues with scaling battery module production and blamed a lack of consumer demand.
In January 2024, GM announced it would resume manufacturing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) to balance the supply of battery electric vehicles with market demand.
In January 2024, Hyundai Motor India acquired the Talegaon plant from General Motors.
On April 15, 2024, GM announced its plan to relocate its global headquarters from the Renaissance Center to the Hudson's Detroit development in 2025.
On August 13, 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued General Motors, alleging that General Motors sold highly detailed driver data to at least two companies, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Verisk Analytics, who then sold the information to insurance companies without consumers' consent or knowledge.
In October 2024, General Motors increased its investment in lithium production by raising its commitment to Canadian mining company Lithium Americas from $650 million to $945 million to develop the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada.
In November 2024, GM and TWG Global reached an agreement in principle to enter the 2026 Formula One World Championship under the Cadillac name with the Ferrari engine.
In December 2024, General Motors halted funding of Cruise's robotaxi business following an incident involving an injured pedestrian.
In February 2025, Cruise was merged into GM to focus on its Super Cruise system for personal vehicles.
By March 2025, GM's Super Cruise system achieved SAE Level 2 autonomy.
In March 2025, General Motors supported the Transportation Freedom Act, a bill that would repeal the Advanced Clean Cars II rule.
In May 2025, General Motors supported a Senate vote to repeal the California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which mandates an increasing amount of zero-emissions vehicles sales in participating US states. General Motors is reported to have encouraged employees to privately lobby US senators to oppose the rule.
In 2025, GM scaled back its plans to end production of fossil-fuel vehicles, which were initially set for 2035, due to a lack of customer demand.
As of January 12, 2026, General Motors has begun official occupancy of its new global headquarters at the Hudson's Detroit development.
In March 2026, General Motors announced plans to invest $600 million to upgrade manufacturing facilities and products in South Korea.
In 2026, GM and TWG Global are scheduled to enter the Formula One World Championship under the Cadillac name with the Ferrari engine.
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