Chevrolet - Citation, Oldsmobile, Omega, Phoenix, Pontiac

The history of Chevrolet is closely connected to the history of General Motors. One of the founders of Chevrolet was William C. Durant, the founder of General Motors who was forced out of the company in 1910. William C. Durant wanted to come back and to rebuild his reputation. His co-founder was Louis Chevrolet, a race-car driver.

In 1913 the Chevrolet Bowtie was first introduced as a symbol that represents Chevrolet's success. There are two legends that explain how the founders came up with the idea of using the "bowtie" as a trademark. The first story tells that in 1908 when William Durant traveled in France he saw the pattern of the wallpaper and thought that it might become a good nameplate. Others consider that the Chevrolet Bowtie is a designed cross of the flag of Switzerland, the motherland of Louis Chevrolet. It also reminds the shape of Switzerland.

In 1916 Durant managed to buy 54.5 % of General Motors' outstanding shares that allowed him to take over the GM's presidency.

But that was only for a short time. Two years later General Motors bought the operating assets of Chevrolet Motor Company.

Chevrolet achieved popularity in America but the owners of the company went further.

In 1923 the first General Motors' European plant was established in Copenhagen, Denmark, to produce Chevrolet. The new plant was meant to service Scandinavian countries, Germany, Austria, Russian, countries of the Baltics, Czechoslovakia and others. At the beginning of 1924 the first Chevrolet was assembled in Europe.

In 1929 a new six-cylinder engine was introduced that got the name "the cast iron wonder" due to its unbelievable durability.

In 1950 Chevrolet offered to its admirers fully automatic shifting that was previously available only in high-price industry.

1953 became the year of birth of famous Chevrolet Corvette. Chevrolet Corvette became the first sports car and the first car with a plastic body that was issued in quantity.

In the following years several new models were introduced one after another: El Camino (1958), Corvair (1959), Chevy II (1962), midsize Malibu (1964), Camaro (1967), Firebird (1967).

In 1962 General Motors and three Chevrolet dealers were charged by the Department of Justice for violation of the Sherman Act. As a result sales of Chevrolet through discount houses were limited.

Then followed the next generation of cars: Chevette (1975), Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac (all in 1976), Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Citation, Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Phoenix (all in 1979).

1993 Toyota and General Motors signed an agreement under which General Motors was to produce right-drive Chevrolet Cavaliers for sale in Japan.

In 2001 the production of Chevrolet Cruze was launched in Japan.

In the recent year Chevrolet models have been chosen to represent fuel economy cars on different exhibitions concerning clean environment. The Chevrolets rank as the best full-size trucks in the world that offer considerable fuel economy.

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