Who co-founded Chevrolet with Louis Chevrolet in 1911?

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

Durant had helped create General Motors in 1908, but GM’s board removed him from leadership in 1910. He then partnered with Swiss race driver and engineer Louis Chevrolet to establish the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit. The company’s first car, the Classic Six, appeared in 1913.

Durant and Chevrolet did not remain equal partners for long. Louis Chevrolet sold his interest to Durant in 1914 and later returned to engineering and racing. Durant used Chevrolet’s growing success to regain control of General Motors in 1916, bringing the brand into GM.

A common mix-up is identifying Louis Chevrolet as Chevrolet’s sole founder. The company’s name came from him, but Durant supplied major business and financial leadership.