The Chevrolet Motor Company was founded in 1911.
The company was established in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Louis Chevrolet brought engineering and racing credibility, while Durant was an experienced automobile executive who had founded General Motors.
Its early products included the Classic Six, a large touring car introduced in 1912. Chevrolet’s business relationship with Durant later helped General Motors expand into a broader market, especially by offering cars positioned against Ford’s popular Model T.
The founding year is sometimes confused with Chevrolet’s entry into General Motors. Chevrolet became a General Motors division in 1918, so 1911 marks the creation of the original company rather than its later corporate integration. The Chevrolet brand has remained part of General Motors ever since.