Embarking on a journey into the vehicle business in 1886 at the tender age of 25 and founding General Motors just two decades later was no small feat. This National Inventors Month, we pay homage to our founder and inventor, William Durant, in a quintessentially American narrative of perseverance, diligence, and triumph.
The Early Years of William Durant
Long before the inception of GM, GMC, or even the automotive sector, William Durant made an unconventional start. Opting out of formal education, he ventured into lumber stacking and cigar sales. While this might not seem like the ideal foundation for a future titan of the American auto industry, Durant’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through. He gradually ascended the ranks, transitioning into a partnership at an insurance agency before venturing into the realm of automobiles. Armed with nothing more than two carts and a design patent, Durant notched a significant achievement, clinching a blue ribbon and securing cart orders. Within a mere fifteen years, the Durant-Dort Carriage Company burgeoned from a modest investment into a two-million-dollar enterprise, earning the distinction of being the largest vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. at its Flint, Michigan manufacturing hub.
Witnessing the burgeoning popularity of horseless carriages in the U.S., Durant found himself at the forefront of the nascent auto industry. When James Whitling of Flint Wagon Works acquired Buick, he entrusted Durant with the task of steering the company’s fortunes. Within a brief span of eight years, Buick’s production eclipsed that of both Ford and Cadillac combined under Durant’s astute leadership.
The Rise of the GMC Powerhouse
Did you know that General Motors once came close to acquiring Ford? Following a failed merger attempt involving multiple stakeholders, Durant conceived a novel strategy—to amalgamate Buick and Oldsmobile under a fresh brand christened General Motors. Established on September 16th, 1908, GM swiftly gained momentum, prompting Henry Ford to entertain the notion of selling his company merely a year later. However, an unforeseen hurdle arose when a bank committee vetoed the deal, altering the course of automotive history. One can only speculate on the ramifications had Ford become a subsidiary of GMC.
Undeterred by this setback, Durant pressed ahead with GM, embarking on an acquisition spree akin to today’s startups and small businesses. Within a scant sixteen months, Durant had amassed 22 companies under the GM banner. Among the noteworthy additions were Oakland (later Pontiac) and McLaughlin (later GM Canada), bolstering the existing Buick, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile brands under the General Motors umbrella.
While bankers remained skeptical, dismissing personal automobiles as fleeting trends, Durant remained steadfast in his conviction. Contrary to their skepticism, Durant foresaw a future where half a million automobiles would be manufactured and sold annually—a prophecy that materialized.
The Later Years
Despite encountering headwinds as larger vehicle models fell out of favor, Durant’s ingenuity prevailed yet again. Partnering with Louis Chevrolet, Durant leveraged the Buick brand to reignite interest through America’s road races. Harnessing this momentum and reclaiming control, GM burgeoned eightfold from its previous state under bank management. However, Durant’s trajectory was stymied by the advent of World War I and the Great Depression.
Under Durant’s stewardship, GM attained numerous milestones, including pioneering innovations such as the electric starter, automatic transmission, catalytic converter, and airbags—first featured in the 1970 Cadillac, Buick, and Oldsmobile models.
GM continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, pioneering the electric vehicle market with groundbreaking vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, the first Extended Range Electric Vehicle. With a rich tapestry of achievements behind us, the future holds boundless possibilities for GMC and its brands. We are confident that the forthcoming 2025 models will continue to redefine the automotive landscape, propelling us into an era of unparalleled innovation.
Keeping GMC Tradition Alive
Much like Durant, the team at Bokman of Wellsville has dedicated ourselves to our craft – serving our customers to the best of our ability and offering the highest quality cars Chevrolet and GMC can offer. Help us keep the GMC tradition alive and visit us for a new 2024 models! We many different vehicles to fit any lifestyle – from GMC Sierra 1500 trucks to the all-new GMC Terrain SUV. Whatever your vehicle needs – new, pre-owned, or even custom parts and service – we’re ready to help you!
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