Who Founded Chevrolet?

When was Chevrolet founded? The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded on November 3, 1911 in Detroit by William C. Durant and Louis Chevrolet. Louis Chevrolet was a race car driver and auto engineer from Switzerland, and William C. Durant was the progenitor of General Motors, recently ousted by the board during the financial crisis of 1911. Read on to learn more about the two men who founded Chevrolet and the greatest moments in Chevrolet history with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, a Chevy dealer Mount Pleasant and James Island drivers trust. If you have any more questions about this iconic brand, be sure to consult our FAQ on all things Chevy, and if you need a new Chevrolet, check out our diverse and affordably priced inventory.

When Was Chevrolet Founded?

1911 was a big year for vehicles: the year that Chevrolet was founded and of the first Indianapolis-500 race. It was also the year Orville Wright set another world record in flight. Learn more about the early history of Chevrolet below:

• 1918: Durant attempted to regain his GM presidency through a reverse merger with Chevrolet and GM.
• 1919: Durant was ousted again, and the new president, Alfred Sloan, chose the Chevrolet brand to be the volume leader in the GM family. The philosophy for Chevrolet became, “a car for every purse and every purpose.”
• 1929: Within a decade, Chevrolet became the top-selling automotive brand, dethroning Ford.

Where Was the First Chevrolet Factory?

The original Chevrolet factory was located in Flint, Michigan at the intersection of Wilcox and Kearsley – right next to Kettering University. This area is now referred to as the “Chevy Commons.”

What Was the First Chevy Model Produced?

The Series C Classic Six was designed in 1913 by Etienne Planche, who worked off of blueprints drawn up by Louis Chevrolet. It debuted at the New York Auto Show that year.

Where Does the Chevy Logo Come From?

The Chevy Logo was first implemented on the Royal Mail, Light Six L Series, and H Series Baby Grand models in 1914. Originally called the bowtie emblem, it looks like an italicized plus sign.

There are many theories on why the design was chosen, the most popular of which are that:

• William C. Durant based the design on a wallpaper he saw in a French hotel.
• It was inspired by the logo for the Coalettes coal company.
• It’s a tribute to the Swiss Cross and the home country of Louis Chevrolet.

Experience Current Chevy Models at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet

Chevrolet has endured for over a century for good reasons. They still make some of the most affordable models with the highest value. Now that you’ve gotten answers to your questions about “Who founded Chevrolet?” and “When was Chevrolet founded,” reach out to Rick Hendrick Chevrolet in Charleston to schedule for a test drive around North Charleston.