Who founded General Motors in 1908?

General Motors was founded in 1908 by William C. Durant. He organized the company as a holding company built around Buick, which he had acquired in 1904.

Durant’s strategy was to assemble multiple automobile makers and suppliers under one corporate umbrella. General Motors purchased Olds Motor Works later in 1908 and added Cadillac, Oakland, and other companies in 1909. This gave the young firm a broad range of brands and products.

Durant was forced out in 1910 after rapid expansion left GM financially overextended, but he regained control in 1916 with backing from Chevrolet’s success. Alfred P. Sloan later became the executive most associated with making GM a highly organized industrial giant, while Charles Kettering became famous for automotive research. Neither founded the company.