Who co-founded Chevrolet with General Motors executive William C. Durant in 1911?

Louis Chevrolet co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Company with William C. Durant in 1911.

Chevrolet was named for Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss-born racing driver, engineer, and automotive designer. Durant supplied business leadership and funding, while Chevrolet contributed engineering expertise and his public reputation as a successful driver.

The partnership eventually changed direction. Durant used Chevrolet’s name and the company’s growing business to create a major automotive division, but Louis Chevrolet left the company in 1915 after disagreements over its direction and product strategy.

A common mix-up is confusing Louis Chevrolet with later Chevrolet executives or assuming the brand was founded solely by General Motors. General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918, several years after the original company began. Louis Chevrolet later worked on aircraft engines and other engineering projects.