GM History - A Brief History

The founding of General Motors on September 16, 1908, drew little attention. Motorcar firms were appearing virtually everywhere.

Success for the young automotive concern was not predestined. There was no guarantee of a place in the market or assurance of any profit. Of the nearly 1,000 companies that tried to build and sell motor vehicles prior to 1927, less than 200 continued in business long enough to even offer a commercially suitable vehicle.

Most of the companies that comprised the young General Motors Company were weak, and their operations were uncoordinated. Many were in debt. It was not until the 1920s, when a new concept of management was forged and a new concept of product emerged, that GM really began to prosper.

General Motors sales for its first full fiscal year ending September 31,
1909, totaled 25,000 cars and trucks, 19 percent of total U.S. sales. Net sales totaled $29,030,000 and its payroll at the peak of the manufacturing season numbered more than 14,000 mostly in Michigan. In 1995, GM sold 8.3 million cars and trucks worldwide with net income of $6.9 billion and worldwide employment averaging 714,000 workers.

General Motors has 284 operations in 35 states and 158 cities in the
United States. In addition GM of Canada operates 21 locations, GM de
Mexico operates 5 locations, and GM has assembly, manufacturing, distribution or warehousing operations in 49 other countries, including equity interests in associated companies.

General Motors has operations in 41 countries outside North America and accounts for about 17 percent of the vehicles sold in the world's competitive markets. GM operations outside North American accounts for over one-third of the corporation's vehicle sales. GM products (of all types) are sold in 170 countries around the world.