General Motors Company ( NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM. U ), commonly proclaimed as GM, formerly incorporated ( until 2009 ) as General Motors Outfit, is an American establishment automotive charge headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and the world ' s largest automaker, by vehicle unit sales, in 2011.
The company was founded on September 16, 1908, in Flint, Michigan, as a take company for Buick, hence controlled by William C. Durant. [66] At the turn of the 20th century there were fewer than 8, 000 automobiles in America and Durant had become a leading manufacturer of horse - strained vehicles in Flint, MI, before making his foray into the automotive industry.
GM employs 202, 000 humans and does business in some 157 countries. General Motors produces cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sells and services these vehicles through the following divisions / brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden, as well as two joint ventures in China, Shanghai GM and SAIC - GM - Wuling Automobile. GM ' s OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security and information services.
GM products focus primarily on its four core divisions Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. The GM restructuring has resulted in a lower break - even point for annual sales. The restructuring of GM has allowed the company to continue to produce high - quality, safe, and fuel - efficient cars.
Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest automobile brands in the world. Depending on how one chooses to measure, Cadillac is arguably older than Buick. Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry Leland.
Cadillac was purchased by the General Motors ( GM ) conglomerate in 1909, Cadillac became General Motors ' prestige division, devoted to the production of large luxury vehicles. The Cadillac line was also GM ' s default marque for " commercial chassis " institutional vehicles, such as limousines, ambulances, hearses and funeral home flower cars, the last three of which were custom - built by aftermarket manufacturers. Cadillac does not produce any such vehicles in their factory.
In July 1917, the United States Army needed a dependable staff car and chose the Cadillac Type 55 Touring Model after exhaustive tests on the Mexican border. 2, 350 of the cars were supplied for use in France by officers of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. [13] General Motors of Canada built Cadillac 1923 to 1936 and saved it from A. P. Sloan from his wanting to stop the build. Pre - World War II Cadillacs were well - built, powerful, mass - produced luxury cars aimed at an upper class market. In the 1930s, Cadillac added cars with V12 and V16 engines to their range, many of which were fitted with custom coach - built bodies;. these engines were remarkable at the time for their ability to deliver a combination of high power, silky smoothness and quietness.
Caddillac is not only considered a high - end luxury car but these guys can last you forever with enough love and care ( and access to used auto parts ). My dad kept his Caddy on - the - road for over 19 years by doing just this.
