General Motors Created On Sept. 16, 1908

Where would we be if in 1908 William Durant had not spent $2,000 to incorporate General Motors? Durant, who sold horse-drawn carriages, and very much disliked cars (he thought they were noisy, smelly and dangerous), went on to build the company that would dominate the auto industry for many years.

At the time there were as many as 45 car companies. Many were in business only long enough to take people's money for a car order and then they went out of business.

In its first two years, GM cobbled together 30 companies, including 11 automakers such as Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Oakland (which later became Pontiac), some supplier firms and even an electric company.

Buying all these companies was a little too expensive for the board's liking and they ousted Durant in 1911. Durant then got together with Louis Chevrolet and formed the Chevrolet company, ending back up in the GM presidency only to be ousted for good in 1919.

Now they produce 13 brands in 37 countries.

(Some information provided by History and Wikipedia for this report.)