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Last Updated:
2024-10-31 03:27:37

Chevrolet

American automotive brand founded in 1911
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
American automotive brand founded in 1911

Chevrolet, founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant, has a rich history of producing iconic cars and competing with Ford and Chrysler.

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1909-01-01
Design and Promotion Plan for a New Car

In 1909, William C. Durant approached Louis Chevrolet to assist in designing and promoting a new car.

1910
Founder Regains Control of Company

In 1910, the founder regains control of the company he originally established.

1911-11-03
Incorporation of Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan

Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan was officially incorporated on November 3, 1911, marking the beginning of Chevrolet's journey in the automotive industry.

1912-01-01
Introduction of Chevy Classic Six and Little Six

In 1912, Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Classic Six and Little Six models.

1913
Louis Chevrolet's Story

Louis Chevrolet, the co-founder of Chevrolet, played a significant role in the early development and success of the Chevrolet brand.

1914
Chevy Bowtie Logo Debut on Royal Mail Roadster

In 1914, the iconic Chevrolet bowtie logo made its first appearance on the Royal Mail Roadster, marking a significant moment in automotive history.

1915-06-01
Introduction of the Chevrolet 490

The Chevrolet 490 was introduced to the market in June with a price of $1475 to compete against the Ford Model T.

1916
Durant repurchases controlling share of General Motors

In 1916, Durant was able to use profits from Chevrolet to repurchase a controlling share of General Motors.

1918-01-01
Introduction of Chevy's first truck

Chevy's first truck, the 490 Light Delivery 1/2 ton, was introduced.

1918-05-02
General Motors acquires Chevrolet

General Motors acquired Chevrolet on May 2, 1918, solidifying the brand's position within the automotive industry.

1919
Production of final models with wooden bodies

In 1919, Chevrolet produced its final models with wooden bodies, which have now become rare and highly collectible items nearly a century later, showcasing the evolution of automotive design.

1922-01-01
Louis Chevrolet leaves the company

Louis Chevrolet left the company to return to racing.

1924
Chevrolet Plant Opens in Copenhagen

In 1924, Chevrolet opens its first plant outside the U.S. in Copenhagen, Denmark, signaling the company's global expansion.

1927-01-01
AA Capitol Best Selling Car

In 1927, the AA Capitol became the best selling car in the market. It was a popular choice among consumers during that time.

1929
Great Depression Hits Chevrolet

The stock market crash of 1929 led to a slowdown in Chevrolet's momentum as the country entered the Great Depression.

1930
Replacement of Chevrolet 490 Engine

The Chevrolet 490 featured a four-cylinder, 24 horsepower engine that significantly impacted the sales of Ford's Model T. This engine became Chevrolet's standard until it was replaced by a six-cylinder engine in 1930.

1933
Launch of Chevrolet Standard Six

Chevrolet launched the Standard Six in 1933, which quickly became known as the cheapest six-cylinder car in the United States market.

1934-11-13
Ten-Millionth Chevrolet Produced

On November 13, 1934, Chevrolet celebrated a milestone as the ten-millionth car rolled off the assembly line on the company's 23rd anniversary.

1935
Chevrolet introduces the Suburban Carryall

In 1935, Chevrolet introduced the Suburban Carryall, considered the original SUV, creating a new vehicle segment. The Suburban name remains iconic in the automotive industry today.

1941-06-06
Death of Louis Chevrolet

On June 6, 1941, Louis Chevrolet, the co-founder of the company, passed away, marking a significant loss for Chevrolet.

1942-01-30
Civilian Production Halt for World War II

Civilian production of Chevrolets halts on January 30, 1942, due to World War II. Instead, Chevrolet focuses on producing trucks for military use during the war.

1945-10-03
Resumption of Civilian Production

After the war, Suburban Carryall production continues and civilian production resumes on October 3, 1945.

1948
Introduction of 'Advance Design' pickup trucks by Chevrolet

In 1948, Chevrolet introduced the all-new 'Advance Design' pickup trucks, marking a significant advancement in their truck lineup.

1950
Chevy introduces Powerglide transmission

In 1950, Chevrolet made history by being the first manufacturer to provide an automatic transmission in an affordable American vehicle with the launch of the Powerglide transmission.

1953-06
Introduction of the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette

In June 1953, Chevrolet introduced the two-seater Corvette sports car at the Motorama Show, which quickly gained popularity among Americans.

1954-11-23
50-millionth Chevrolet Production

On November 23, 1954, the 50-millionth Chevrolet, a 1955 Bel Air Sport, was celebrated as it came off the production line in front of a large crowd of GM and government officials.

1955
Introduction of the Chevrolet small-block V8 engine

Since 1955, Chevrolet has continuously produced the small-block V8 engine, which became the longest mass-produced engine globally, showcasing Chevrolet's engineering excellence.

1956
Launch of the 'Dinah Shore Chevy Show'

The 'Dinah Shore Chevy Show' launches as a one-hour TV show in 1956, featuring the iconic song 'See the USA in your Chevrolet' sung by Dinah Shore.

1957
Introduction of Chevrolet Bel-Air and Fuel Injection

In 1957, Chevrolet introduces the iconic Bel-Air model, which becomes an American icon. Additionally, Chevy makes history by offering fuel injection as an option on some Chevys and Corvettes, marking the first time for an American production car.

1958
Introduction of the Impala

The Impala, the best-selling full-size car ever, is introduced in 1958, with over 13 million units sold by 1996. The name has been revived for Chevy's biggest sedan.

1959
Debut of Chevrolet El Camino

In 1959, Chevrolet introduced the innovative Chevrolet El Camino, which combined the utility of a pickup truck with the styling of a car.

1960
Launch of the Chevrolet Corvair

The year 1960 marked the introduction of the Chevrolet Corvair, adding to Chevrolet's diverse range of vehicles in the American car market.

1961
Inspiration for Chevrolet Logo from a Paris Hotel Wallpaper Design

In 1961, an official publication revealed that the Chevrolet logo was inspired by a wallpaper design from a hotel in Paris where Durant, the founder of Chevrolet, stayed. This unique source of inspiration added a touch of elegance to the iconic logo.

1962
The Beach Boys record '4-0-9'

In 1962, The Beach Boys recorded the song '4-0-9', which was an ode to Chevys powered by the brand's 409 cubic-inch V-8 engine.

1963
Chevrolet's market success in 1963

By 1963, Chevrolet achieved a significant milestone where one out of every ten cars sold in the United States was a Chevrolet, highlighting their dominance in the market.

1964
Chevelle debuts

In 1964, the Chevelle was introduced as an 'intermediate' car, positioned between the full-size Chevys and the compact Chevy Nova. It marked the only model year featuring the split rear-window design.

1965
Decline in Corvair Sales

Corvair sales plummet in 1965 after consumer advocate Ralph Nader's book 'Unsafe at Any Speed' highlighted accidents related to its handling.

1967
Camaro debuts

In 1967, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro as a response to Ford's Mustang.

1970
Chevelle SS 454 introduced

The 450-hp 1970 Chevelle SS 454 was released in 1970 and is regarded as one of the greatest muscle cars by enthusiasts.

1971
Unveiling of the Vega

Chevy unveils the Vega in 1971, but its quality problems and rust issues negatively impact the brand's reputation.

1975
Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie Chevy ad campaign

In 1975, the iconic 'Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie' Chevy ad campaign was launched, becoming a memorable part of Chevrolet's marketing history.

1976
Introduction of Chevrolet Chevette

The Subcompact Chevette was introduced in 1976 as a variation of Chevrolet's Brazilian T platform car, and remained in production until 1986.

1979
100 millionth Chevy - 1979 Monza

In 1979, the 100 millionth Chevy was built, which was a 1979 Monza. This milestone marked a significant achievement for Chevrolet.

1983
Debut of C4 Corvette

In 1983, the all-new C4 Corvette was supposed to debut as an '83 model, but production delays led to its release in January 1983, being labeled as an '84 model by Chevy.

1986
Heartbeat of America Ad Campaign

In 1986, the 'Heartbeat of America' advertising campaign was launched, becoming a significant marketing initiative for Chevrolet.

1988
All-New Chevy Full-Size Pickups

In 1988, Chevrolet introduced the first completely redesigned full-size pickups since 1973, featuring a new 'extended cab' body style option.

1991
Chevy

The 'Like a Rock' ad campaign begins, using a Bob Seger song to advertise Chevy trucks. It runs for 13 years and is considered one of the industry's most successful.

1992
Building of the millionth Corvette

In 1992, the millionth Corvette was built, marking a significant milestone in the production of this iconic sports car.

2002
General Motors acquisition of Daewoo Motors

In 2002, General Motors acquired Daewoo Motors for $1.2 billion, expanding its global presence and influence in the automotive industry.

2007
Chevy Volt electric car introduced

The Chevy Volt electric car with a range-extending gas motor is introduced as a concept in 2007 and goes on sale in 2010.

2009
Corvette ZR1 production

The 638-horsepower Corvette ZR1, produced in 2009, became the fastest and most powerful production car in GM history, a title it still holds today.

2010
Rebirth of Chevy Camaro

In 2010, the Chevy Camaro, which was previously discontinued in 2002, is reintroduced and quickly surpasses Ford's Mustang in sales.

2011-10-30
Dina Shore with the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Corvair

Dina Shore was associated with the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Corvair.

2011-11-03
Chevrolet's 100th Birthday

On November 3, 2011, the Chevrolet brand commemorates its 100th anniversary.

2012
Introduction of Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt was launched in 2012 as Chevrolet's plug-in electric car, aiming to compete with foreign automakers. It received accolades such as the North American Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year.

2014
Chevrolet

Chevrolet launched new vehicles in 2014.

2015
Chevrolet introduces built-in WiFi hotspot

In 2015, Chevrolet became one of the pioneering companies to offer a built-in WiFi hotspot in most of its vehicles, enhancing connectivity for drivers and passengers.

2016
Chevrolet Bolt EV launch

The Chevrolet Bolt EV, launched in 2016, was the first affordable electric car with a range of over 200 miles, setting a new standard in the electric vehicle market. It received prestigious awards like the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year and Reader’s Choice Green Car of the Year.

2020
Chevrolet Blazer EV Launch

Chevrolet introduced the Blazer EV, an electric version of its popular Blazer SUV, as part of its electric vehicle lineup.

2021
Chevrolet Commercial Trucks Lineup Expansion

Chevrolet expanded its commercial trucks lineup with the introduction of new models including Silverado 4500 HD, Silverado 5500 HD, and Silverado 6500 HD.

2022
Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a popular full-size pickup truck known for its durability and performance.

2023-12-01
Aaron Lao updates the history of Chevrolet

Aaron Lao provides an updated history of Chevrolet in a 4-minute read, highlighting the company's success in consistently selling millions of cars annually in the USA.

2024
2024 Chevy Corvette Stingray

The 2024 Chevy Corvette Stingray is a sleek and powerful sports car launched by Chevrolet in 2024.

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Chevrolet
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