Chevrolet History

Named after Louis Chevrolet, the American-based automaker has become a staple on roadways far and wide. Nearly every continent is home to Chevrolet vehicles and the automaker’s influence on the industry itself has been far reaching. Easy to spot with sleek, modern designs and the brand’s golden bowtie emblem, Chevrolet is an automaker that’s over a century old and has the legacy to prove it.

Founded by Louis Chevrolet and William Durant in Detroit, Chevrolet established itself as a maker of quality vehicles at affordable prices. The eye catching golden bowtie made its debut in 1914 and has gone through several changes ever since. Although Chevrolet and Durant disagreed and eventually went their separate ways, Chevrolet had already made its mark on the industry.

Just two years after the debut of the bowtie insignia, Chevrolet turned an enormous profit. In turn, Durant took control of General Motors. After taking over as president of the company, he merged the two brands, sticking General Motors as the overhead while leaving Chevrolet as its own separate division.

Chevrolet quickly added General Motors products to its lineup, similarities of which still echo in the modern lineup. In 1919, GMC trucks put on the golden bowtie with great success.

Over the next 30 years, Chevrolet would duke it out with Ford and Plymouth, the latter of which eventually faltered. In 1933, the bowtie brand added a new six cylinder engine to the lineup. That engine, deemed the “standard six,” became the jumping off point for a new generation of powertrain.

In 1953, the first Corvette hit roadways and the Impala series become a bestselling nameplate shortly after. In 1955, the small-block V8 engine began production. Still in production with modern updates, it’s the longest engine mass-produced on a global scale.

More recently, Chevrolet landed on European roadways in 2005 after years of absence. Although much of the lineup was pulled amid heavy competition, the Camaro and Corvette remain the golden standard and strong competitors on and off the track.

Still boasting the golden bowtie today, Chevrolet is a brand known for quality, innovation, and affordability.