Who Founded Chevrolet?

Chevrolet has made its mark on the automotive industry, so it’s natural to wonder, “Who founded Chevrolet,” and “When was Chevrolet founded?” The brand’s long history starts on November 3, 1911 in Detroit, Michigan where Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. Both Chevrolet and Durant were leaders in the automotive industry as Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss race car driver, and William C. Durant was the founder of General Motors until the company suffered a financial crisis in 1911. Continue to learn more about the history behind Chevrolet with the team at Bayer Motor Company, then be sure to check out our lineup of new Chevy models you can take on Stephenville roads. 

The Early Years of Chevrolet

When Chevrolet was founded in 1911, it was a record setting year. Not only was Chevrolet founded, but 1911 was also the year of the first Indianapolis-500 race, and the year that Orville Wright set another world record flight. Let’s take a look at the early years of Chevrolet:

• Durant regained his presidency at GM in 1918 by orchestrating a reverse merger with Chevrolet and GM.
• However, in 1919, Durant was ousted again, and Alfred Sloan became the new president. From there, Sloan determined the Chevrolet brand to be the volume leader in the GM family, and they adopted the philosophy of “a car for every purse and every purpose.” 
• By 1929, Chevrolet became the best selling car in the U.S., taking the position previously held by Ford.

Chevrolet Firsts: First Chevy Factory and Model

A lot of automotive history can be found in Michigan, and while founded in Detroit, the first Chevrolet factory was located in Flint, Michigan right across from Kettering University at the corner of Wilcox and Kearsley Street. The area continues to be known as “Chevy Commons.”

When Chevrolet was founded, its first model produced was based on specs drawn up by Louis Chevrolet and designed by Etienne Planche. The Series C Classic Six made its debut at the 1913 New York Auto Show. 

The Origins of the Chevy Logo

The iconic Chevy logo was first seen in 1914 on the H Series Baby Grand, Royal Mail, and Light Six L Series models. When you’re driving on Brownwood roads, you’re likely to notice the Chevrolet bowtie emblem that resembles an italicized plus sign. However, reports of where the Chevy logo came from varies. Here’s what’s said about the origins of the Chevy bowtie design:

• William C. Durant got the design from wallpaper he saw in a French hotel room.
• It was based on the logo of the Coalettes coal company.
• It is a stylized version of the Swiss cross, honoring the heritage of Louis Chevrolet.

Wherever the Chevy logo originated, the brand has solidified itself as a recognizable American icon on the roads around Granbury.

Discover Impressive Chevy Models with Bayer Motor Company! 

Now that you know more about who founded Chevrolet and the history behind this legendary brand, continue to explore Chevy models with the team at Bayer Motor Company. Contact us if you have any questions about top models like the Chevy Camaro or Chevy Silverado 1500, and when you’re ready to take a model home, the team in our finance center are ready to assist you with all your car buying questions.