Who Founded Chevrolet and When?

Chevrolet is one of the most well-respected automotive brands in the greater Minot area, and for good reason. This famed American car brand has been around for over a century! But who founded Chevrolet, and when was it founded? Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company on November 3, 1911 in Detroit, Michigan! Looking for more information? Contact us at Ryan Chevrolet now, or keep reading!

When Was Chevrolet Founded?

Chevrolet was founded in 1911 — the same year that the first Indianapolis-500 race took place, In fact, Louis Chevrolet was actually a Swiss race-car driver as well as an automotive engineer. William C. Durant, meanwhile, had founded General Motors but was removed from the company during a 1911 financial crisis. When the two joined forces, the rest became history, as you’ll learn below:

• In 1918, Durant began a reverse merger between Chevrolet and GM to regain his status as president of General Motors.
• In 1919, Durant was once again removed from GM, and the new president, Alfred Sloan, chose the Chevrolet brand to be the volume leader within the General Motors family of automotive brands. The philosophy for Chevrolet then became, “a car for every purse and every purpose.”
• By 1929, Chevrolet overtook Ford as the best-selling vehicle brand in the United States.

What Was the First Chevy Model Produced?

The Series C Classic Six, designed by Etienne Planche following specs drawn up by Louis Chevrolet was the first Chevy model ever to be produced! It debuted at the 1913 New York International Auto Show, or NYIAS for short.

Where Was the First Chevrolet Factory Located?

Flint, Michigan was the home of the first Chevy factory! More specifically, the first factory was situated at the corner of Wilcox and Kearsley Streets, right across from Kettering University. Today, this famed site is known as “Chevy Commons.”

Where Does the Current Chevy Bowtie Logo Come From?

While most anyone in Williston or New Town will recognize its italicized plus sign now, the current Chevy logo didn’t make its debut until the advent of the 1914 H Series Baby Grand and Royal Mail models, as well as on the Light Six L Series model. There’s some controversy over the origins and history of this famed design. Here are the most prevalent theories on how it came to be:

• William C. Durant got the design from wallpaper he saw in a French hotel room.
• It was based on the logo of the Coalettes coal company.
• It is a stylized version of the Swiss cross, honoring the heritage of Louis Chevrolet.

Experience Current Chevy Models at Ryan Chevrolet

“A car for every purse and every purpose” is still a slogan that applies to the new Chevy model lineup of vehicles over a century after the brand’s inception! Now that you know who founded Chevrolet and when, if you’re interested in a cutting-edge Chevy car in the truest sense of the word, like the Bolt EV, or if you need a highly-capable Silverado pickup truck for tough jobs in Belcourt, Ryan Chevrolet has your ideal new Chevy model in-stock! Find yours today, then apply for financing online so you’re financially ready to lease or buy your next Chevrolet!