GM (General Motors)

GM (General Motors)
Name	General Motors
Type	Public
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1908
Founder	William C. Durant
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Products	Automobiles, automotive parts, electric vehicles
Revenue	See Financial performance and strategy
Website	Official website

GM (General Motors) General Motors is a multinational corporation in the automotive industry founded in 1908 by William C. Durant. The company grew through acquisitions and competition with contemporaries such as Ford Motor Company and Chrysler and expanded into global markets including Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Japan. Over its history GM has been associated with prominent figures and events including Alfred P. Sloan, the Great Depression, World War II, the Post–World War II economic expansion, and the restructuring following the 2008–2009 financial crisis.

History

GM's early expansion included purchases of companies like Olds Motor Vehicle Company, Oakland Motor Car Company, and Elmore Manufacturing Company under Durant before control shifted to financiers tied to J. P. Morgan and executives such as Alfred P. Sloan. During the First World War and Second World War GM converted plants to war production alongside firms such as Boeing and Lockheed, supplying materiel to Allied Powers and collaborating with governments like the United States Department of Defense and agencies including the War Production Board. Postwar innovations paralleled developments at Packard, Studebaker, and Chrysler Corporation, while social and labor relations involved unions such as the United Auto Workers and events like the Flint sit-down strike. The late 20th century saw GM face rivals including Toyota Motor Corporation, Volkswagen Group, and Honda Motor Company while engaging in global joint ventures with Daewoo Motor and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The 2008 financial crisis precipitated restructuring with involvement from the United States Treasury Department, bankruptcy protection processes, and agreements with entities like the International Monetary Fund in the broader economic context.

Corporate structure and governance

GM's board and executive leadership have included CEOs and chairpersons connected to business figures such as Edsel Ford (in industry context), Roger Smith (businessman), and Mary Barra; governance has interacted with regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission and frameworks such as the Sarbanes–Oxley Act. Institutional shareholders have included Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation, while strategic partnerships have involved corporations like Honda and financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase. Corporate governance disputes have intersected with labor organizations including the United Auto Workers and pension trustees influenced by laws like the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Products and brands

GM's portfolio has historically encompassed marques such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Saturn; international badges have included Opel and Vauxhall as well as partnerships producing vehicles under Daewoo and Holden. Notable models and nameplates have been compared with offerings from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, and Nissan, while performance and specialty vehicles drew attention from communities around Corvette fandom and racers in series like NASCAR and IndyCar Series. GM's light truck and SUV range competes with models from Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation in segments historically influenced by fuel-price cycles and regulations like standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Manufacturing and operations

GM operates assembly plants and powertrain facilities across regions including Michigan, Ontario, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Mexico City, Shanghai, Seoul, and facilities tied to industrial suppliers such as Bosch, Denso, Magna International, and ZF Friedrichshafen. Its logistics and supply-chain activities have engaged companies like FedEx, United Parcel Service, and port authorities in hubs like Port of Los Angeles and Port of New York and New Jersey. Manufacturing strategy has evolved with automation suppliers such as KUKA and ABB and standards shaped in part by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization and industrial policies of governments including Canada and China.

Financial performance and strategy

GM's financial history includes periods of profitability and losses, interactions with capital markets including listings on the New York Stock Exchange and credit arrangements with banks such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The company's restructuring in the late 2000s involved the U.S. Treasury Department and resulted in changes to capital structure, pension liabilities linked to trustees and statutes like those administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Strategic initiatives have included mergers and divestitures with firms like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (in market context), asset sales related to Opel and Vauxhall, and investment rounds involving state actors such as provincial governments in Ontario and federal programs like those of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Technology and research (including electrification and autonomous vehicles)

GM's research activities have intersected with institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Michigan, and laboratories like the Argonne National Laboratory. Electrification efforts have produced vehicles in collaboration with suppliers and partners such as LG Chem, Panasonic, and battery researchers affiliated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory; competing electrification programs include those of Tesla, Inc. and Nissan. Autonomous vehicle development involved investments in startups and alliances such as Cruise (company), regulatory engagement with agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and competing technologies developed by companies including Waymo and Uber ATG. Research partnerships have also linked GM to semiconductor firms such as Intel Corporation and NVIDIA and map and sensor providers like HERE Technologies and Velodyne Lidar.

Controversies and recalls

GM's recalls and legal challenges have included high-profile safety recalls comparable to those faced by Takata Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation, litigation involving firms such as General Electric in broader industrial contexts, and regulatory scrutiny from bodies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the United States Department of Justice. Labor disputes have involved the United Auto Workers and political figures such as U.S. Senators in debates over trade policy like agreements similar in scope to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Environmental and compliance controversies connected GM have paralleled industry issues addressed by organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency and international accords referenced in policymaking by entities such as the European Commission.

Category:Automotive companies