General Motors (GM) is the largest automakers in Michigan and also among the largest in the world, with cars and truck manufacturing points in thirty-five countries. Its designs, manufactures, distributes, markets vehicle’s and part’s of vehicle while selling financial services. This company has managed to maintain its unique business model, with its headquarters being in Detroit area. They share some operations with Canadian Auto Workers and United Auto Workers. General Motors has had the most sales for the past 76 years and was almost overtaken in 2007 by Toyota.
In the year 2016, General motors’ managed to successfully sell ten million vehicles in a year. Current auto brands are Cadillac, GMC , Wuling, Holden, Chevrolet and Buick. Their former brands include McLaughlin, Opel, Saab, Saturn, Daewoo, Pontiac, Vauxhall and Hummer. General motors’ have managed to have various automotive-components like the Terex and Euclid (mining equipment/earth moving/construction and vehicles) ; Detroit Diesel (industrial and automotive diesel engines); Frigidaire (appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners); Electro-Motive Diesel (marine, industrial and locomotive diesel engines); GMAC (finances); GM Defense (military vehicles); Electronic Data System (information technology); ACDelco and Delco Electronics.
Business Ventures
General Motors has twelve different brands and holds 17% in GM Korea and twenty percent stake in IMM. It has a number of joint ventures in SAIC-GM-Wuling , GM-Avto VAZ in Russia, FAW-GM in China, Shanghai GM, General Motors India , GM Uzbekistan and General Motors Egypt. The company has over 212,000 employees in more than 140 countries. It has a mobility division known as Maven which operates car-sharing services. General motors operates outside the US through wholly owned subsidiaries but it use ten joint ventures to operate in China. It offers vehicle security, safety and information services to all it users.
Financial
The company has filed in profits since the year 2010 earning $4.7billion. in the same year GM was ranked second on the list of 8.5 million units produced globally. In 2011, GM became the first having sold 9.025 million units globally. These units represent 11.9% of the total market share and the two top markets were USA and China.
Technology
Historically GM has always been on the forefront in terms of technology. The company excels in engine drive train manufacturing. It has seen to development of;
In 1921, they patented the use of Tetraethyl lead as an antiknock agent that lead to development of higher compression engines that had more power and efficiency.
In 1939, they designed the first automatic transmission, hydra-matic, for the 1940 Oldsmobile which was later adopted into the auto industry.
In 1962, they made the first turbo charged engine. Dichlorodifluoromethane refrigerant to be used in HVAC and other refrigeration appliances. Two-stroke diesel engines that could be used commercially. Improved transmissions for track-laying vehicles.
Main Competitor
We can’t talk about car manufacturers and forget to mention Ford Motor Company. Having held the position of the second best manufacturer for the past years and became third in 2007. This company has a total of 8 plants in Michigan, manufacturing top quality cars like their rivals.
I, myself is a big fan of Ford cars because of it’s heavy-duty cooling system. But for fuel efficiency, I’d go with a Chevy.