When Was Chevrolet Founded?

When was Chevrolet founded? The Chevrolet Motor company got its start in Detroit on November 3, 1911. Over the next few decades, founders Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant would build the fledgling brand into one of the most prominent automakers worldwide! Join Cornerstone Chevrolet as we dive into the biographies of the men who founded Chevrolet, and the twists and turns of the Chevy story over the last hundred years.

Who Founded Chevrolet?

Founders Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant established the Chevy brand in 1911, but what else do we know about them? A race car driver and engineer who hailed from Switzerland, Louis Chevrolet’s unique outlook and experience continue to inspire Chevy engineers today.

Who was William C. Durant? Chevrolet’s business partner also had an interesting background in the auto industry. Prior to starting Chevrolet, he served as both founder and president of General Motors but was ousted from his position. In 1918 – several years after partnering with Chevrolet and getting the new company off the ground — Durant reclaimed his leadership position at GM through a reverse merger. However, he was only to lose it once more the following year.

Despite the loss of Durant’s leadership. Chevrolet continued to thrive within the GM brand. New owner Alfred Sloan decided that the Chevy name would strive to provide “a car for every purse and every purpose.” The broad accessibility and versatility of the Chevy lineup today testifies to that commitment. 

Where Was the First Chevrolet Factory Located?

When it comes to the first Chevy factory, it’s more a matter of where than when. Was Chevrolet founded in Detroit? It’s true that Chevrolet and Durant founded the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit, but the first factory was actually built in nearby Flint, Michigan. The factory’s location at the intersection of Wilcox and Kearsley streets is across the street from Kettering University and known today as the “Chevy Commons”.

The Very First Chevrolet Model

As you read above, it was Louis Chevrolet who founded Chevrolet — but who designed the first Chevy model? Auto history buffs will already know that the first-ever Chevrolet model to be produced in the Flint, MI factory was the Series C Classic Six. And indeed, the original specs were drawn up by Louis Chevrolet himself.The Classic Six would debut just two years after the company’s founding, at New York’s 1913 Auto Show.

Discover More Chevrolet History with Cornerstone Chevrolet!

Now that you know when Chevrolet was founded, are you ready to explore the Chevy lineup for yourself? As promised by Alfred Sloan over a century ago, there’s a Chevy model to match your Monticello lifestyle as well as your budget. Whether you need a Bolt EV for downtown driving in Big Lake or an adventure-ready SUV like the Chevy Blazer, you’ll find what you need on our lot near St. Michael and Buffalo! Contact us today to learn more.