Chevrolet, founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant, has a rich history of producing iconic cars and competing with Ford and Chrysler.
In 1909, William C. Durant approached Louis Chevrolet to assist in designing and promoting a new car.
In 1910, the founder regains control of the company he originally established.
Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan was officially incorporated on November 3, 1911, marking the beginning of Chevrolet's journey in the automotive industry.
In 1912, Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Classic Six and Little Six models.
Louis Chevrolet, the co-founder of Chevrolet, played a significant role in the early development and success of the Chevrolet brand.
In 1914, the iconic Chevrolet bowtie logo made its first appearance on the Royal Mail Roadster, marking a significant moment in automotive history.
The Chevrolet 490 was introduced to the market in June with a price of $1475 to compete against the Ford Model T.
In 1916, Durant was able to use profits from Chevrolet to repurchase a controlling share of General Motors.
Chevy's first truck, the 490 Light Delivery 1/2 ton, was introduced.
General Motors acquired Chevrolet on May 2, 1918, solidifying the brand's position within the automotive industry.
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.
Louis Chevrolet left the company to return to racing.
In 1924, Chevrolet opens its first plant outside the U.S. in Copenhagen, Denmark, signaling the company's global expansion.
In 1927, the AA Capitol became the best selling car in the market. It was a popular choice among consumers during that time.
The stock market crash of 1929 led to a slowdown in Chevrolet's momentum as the country entered the Great Depression.
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.
Chevrolet launched the Standard Six in 1933, which quickly became known as the cheapest six-cylinder car in the United States market.
On November 13, 1934, Chevrolet celebrated a milestone as the ten-millionth car rolled off the assembly line on the company's 23rd anniversary.
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.
On June 6, 1941, Louis Chevrolet, the co-founder of the company, passed away, marking a significant loss for Chevrolet.
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.
After the war, Suburban Carryall production continues and civilian production resumes on October 3, 1945.
In 1948, Chevrolet introduced the all-new 'Advance Design' pickup trucks, marking a significant advancement in their truck lineup.
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.
In June 1953, Chevrolet introduced the two-seater Corvette sports car at the Motorama Show, which quickly gained popularity among Americans.
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.
Since 1955, Chevrolet has continuously produced the small-block V8 engine, which became the longest mass-produced engine globally, showcasing Chevrolet's engineering excellence.
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.
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.
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.
In 1959, Chevrolet introduced the innovative Chevrolet El Camino, which combined the utility of a pickup truck with the styling of a car.
The year 1960 marked the introduction of the Chevrolet Corvair, adding to Chevrolet's diverse range of vehicles in the American car market.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Corvair sales plummet in 1965 after consumer advocate Ralph Nader's book 'Unsafe at Any Speed' highlighted accidents related to its handling.
In 1967, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro as a response to Ford's Mustang.
The 450-hp 1970 Chevelle SS 454 was released in 1970 and is regarded as one of the greatest muscle cars by enthusiasts.
Chevy unveils the Vega in 1971, but its quality problems and rust issues negatively impact the brand's reputation.
In 1975, the iconic 'Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie' Chevy ad campaign was launched, becoming a memorable part of Chevrolet's marketing history.
The Subcompact Chevette was introduced in 1976 as a variation of Chevrolet's Brazilian T platform car, and remained in production until 1986.
In 1979, the 100 millionth Chevy was built, which was a 1979 Monza. This milestone marked a significant achievement for Chevrolet.
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.
In 1986, the 'Heartbeat of America' advertising campaign was launched, becoming a significant marketing initiative for Chevrolet.
In 1988, Chevrolet introduced the first completely redesigned full-size pickups since 1973, featuring a new 'extended cab' body style option.
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.
In 1992, the millionth Corvette was built, marking a significant milestone in the production of this iconic sports car.
In 2002, General Motors acquired Daewoo Motors for $1.2 billion, expanding its global presence and influence in the automotive industry.
The Chevy Volt electric car with a range-extending gas motor is introduced as a concept in 2007 and goes on sale in 2010.
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.
In 2010, the Chevy Camaro, which was previously discontinued in 2002, is reintroduced and quickly surpasses Ford's Mustang in sales.
Dina Shore was associated with the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Corvair.
On November 3, 2011, the Chevrolet brand commemorates its 100th anniversary.
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.
Chevrolet launched new vehicles in 2014.
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.
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.
Chevrolet introduced the Blazer EV, an electric version of its popular Blazer SUV, as part of its electric vehicle lineup.
Chevrolet expanded its commercial trucks lineup with the introduction of new models including Silverado 4500 HD, Silverado 5500 HD, and Silverado 6500 HD.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a popular full-size pickup truck known for its durability and performance.
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.
The 2024 Chevy Corvette Stingray is a sleek and powerful sports car launched by Chevrolet in 2024.