History of Chevrolet Automobiles
A partnership between Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant over a century ago led to one of the most successful divisions of General Motors. By the 1920s Chevrolet was the most popular automobile manufacturer in the United States, even outselling industry leader Henry Ford. Chevrolet became a leader in automobile design in the 1950s and 1960s, introducing such memorable models as the Impala, Corvette, Nova, Camaro and Corvair.
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Origin
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Race car driver Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William C. Durant partnered to form Chevrolet in 1911, according to Edmunds. Durant had been forced out of GM the previous year and was looking for an opportunity to rebuild his reputation. Durant met Chevrolet several years earlier when he hired him to drive Buick automobiles in promotional races.
Logo
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The company introduced its famous "bow tie" logo in 1914, according to Chevrolet's corporate website. Durant reportedly designed the logo based on wallpaper he saw in a French hotel, according to the website Cars Directory. Other theories suggest the bow tie is reminiscent of the shape of Switzerland, where Chevrolet was born, or possibly an adaptation of the cross on the country's flag.
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Early Models
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In 1912 Chevy introduced its first car, the Classic Six, according to Chevrolet. With a price tag of $2,150 only the wealthy could afford to purchase one. Chevrolet and Durant disagreed on the direction of their fledgling company, according to Groovy Chevy. Chevrolet wanted to focus on high-end luxury automobiles, while Durant wanted to manufacture less expensive models for the middle class. Durant bought out Chevrolet's shares in the company in 1915, according to Groovy Chevy.
GM Merger
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Finding success with lower-priced models, Durant was able to purchase majority shares in GM by 1916. The following year Durant became president of GM, and Chevy became a division of the company. Chevy introduced the Model D in 1918 as a roadster and a touring car, according to Cars Directory. The Model D featured a 288-inch, 35 horsepower V8 engine with a three-speed transmission and Zenith carburetor.
Innovations
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Chevy sold its first truck in 1918. In 1929 the company introduced its first six-cylinder engine. The first Chevy station wagon appeared in 1939. Chevy launched the groundbreaking Corvette in 1953. It was the first automobile with a fiberglass body, according to Edmunds. Chevy introduced the world's first fuel injected engine in 1957, according to Cars Directory. The Camaro made its debut in 1967 to compete with Ford's successful Mustang, according to Edmunds. The Camaro was an instant classic, comprising 10 percent of Chevy's total sales in its first year of production.
Modern Era
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In response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, Chevy downsized many of its models--including the Caprice and the Malibu--to appeal to budget-conscious consumers, according to Edmunds. The company also introduced smaller models like the Chevette and the Vega. In the 1980s, Chevy became a leader in truck and SUV sales. As General Motors continues to struggle today, Chevrolet remains its most profitable division. The company has embraced current market trends by focusing on the production of hybrids and fuel efficient automobiles.
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References
- Photo Credit baby blue image by Patrick Moyer from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Chevrolet had 54.5% ownership in General Motors in 1916 and as a Holding Company General Motors became a Corporation under Durant in 1918 1920 the industry went into a depression.
