General Motors
American-owned automaker operating in Canada since 1918.
via Wikipedia: Automotive industry in Canada · see source
General Motors Company (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The company is best known for its four core automobile divisions: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. By total sales, GM has consistently been the largest automaker in the United States and held the title of the world’s largest automaker for 77 years until Toyota surpassed it in 2008. GM operates manufacturing plants in eight countries. Beyond its primary brands, the company holds interests in the Chinese brands Baojun and Wuling through the joint venture SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile. GM also owns a defense vehicles division that produces military vehicles for the U.S. government, the vehicle safety and information services provider OnStar, the auto parts brand ACDelco, and a namesake financial lending service.
The company originated as a holding company for Buick, founded on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant. The current corporate entity was established in 2009 following GM’s Chapter 11 reorganization. GM ranks 25th by total revenue among American companies on the Fortune 500 and 50th on the Fortune Global 500; in 2023, it was ranked 70th in the Forbes Global 2000. In 2021, GM announced its intention to end production of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 as part of a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, though these plans were largely scaled back in 2025.
- nationality
- American
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In 1918, the Canadian domestic auto brand McLaughlin was bought by an American firm, General Motors, and was rebranded General Motors of Canada. This marked the beginning of General Motors' direct presence in Canadian automotive manufacturing. The 1965 Automotive Products Trade Agreement, or Auto Pact, is described as the single most important factor in making the Canadian automotive industry what it is today, and General Motors of Canada operated under this agreement. As of 2015, General Motors is listed among the major car companies that operate in Canada, alongside Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. The Canadian content at plants run by the Detroit Three—which includes General Motors—is noted to be lower than at plants run by Honda and Toyota, because the Detroit Three do less in-house manufacturing of parts such as plastic-injection-molded components.
Reader's Guide
General Motors of Canada operates assembly plants in Ontario, as part of the broader Canadian automotive industry that consists primarily of assembly plants of foreign automakers. The company's operations are subject to the same industry dynamics as other foreign automakers in Canada. According to a 2016 study by DesRosiers, the amount of Canadian parts content in the average vehicle assembled in Canada was $4,105, or 17.2% of the overall parts content. Another estimate placed the overall Canadian content figure between 20% and 24%. For plants operated by the Detroit Three—which includes General Motors—Canadian content is likely lower than at plants run by Honda and Toyota, because the Detroit Three do less in-house manufacturing of parts.
Did You Know?
- General Motors of Canada was created in 1918 when the American firm General Motors bought the Canadian domestic brand McLaughlin and rebranded it.
- As of 2015, General Motors is one of the major car companies operating in Canada, along with Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Honda, and Toyota.
- Canadian content at General Motors' Canadian plants is likely lower than at Honda and Toyota plants because the Detroit Three do less in-house manufacturing of parts.
- The 1965 Automotive Products Trade Agreement (Auto Pact) is described as the single most important factor in making the Canadian automotive industry what it is today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is General Motors?
General Motors is an American multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that builds vehicles under four flagship brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. It has remained the top-selling automaker in the United States since its inception in 1908.
How was General Motors founded?
The company began on September 16, 1908, when William C. Durant organized a holding company around the Buick marque. Durant then rolled up additional manufacturers into the group, gradually creating the multi-brand conglomerate that would come to dominate American auto sales.
What happened during General Motors' 2009 bankruptcy?
GM filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2009, the first such filing by a major U.S. automaker. The old corporate entity was dissolved and a new, leaner General Motors emerged from the process, shedding several legacy brands to survive.
How long did General Motors hold the title of world's largest automaker?
GM led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years, a record streak that finally broke in 2008 when Toyota surpassed it in total units sold worldwide.
Why is General Motors considered a cornerstone of the automotive industry?
As the parent of four major American brands and the dominant U.S. manufacturer for more than a century, GM helped define mass-production standards, labor relations, and design trends across the global auto market. Its 2009 restructuring also became a landmark case study in corporate turnaround.
More in Automotive Industry 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record