A Big Birthday for the General
By: Lawrence R. Gustin
It's appropriate for the Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In to honor General Motors in 2008 because that's the centennial year for what is still the world's largest automaker.
Of course, all of the American automakers have had tough times over the last few years, but GM - thanks to the abilities of Chairman Rick Wagoner and his team - has been making a major comeback. Much of this is because of its stronger product line developed under the guidance of GM's brilliant vice chairman, Bob Lutz, and also thanks to the corporation's great position in international markets, particularly China.
A few years ago, a former GM chairman observed successful companies are the ones that out think the com petition rather than out-spend them and out-sweat them.
And when you think about it, you realize that's why GM became great in the first place. William C. "Billy" Durant, who was handed control of the tiny Buick Motor Company in Flint, Mich, in 1904 and turned it into the No. 1 producer in 1908, was certainly considered a visionary.
While Henry Ford was busy making his name by building one model as cheaply as possible, and as reliable as possible, Durant also had a good idea. He went for variety, looking for cars of many types and prices, hoping to capture the best ideas and the best designs along the way.
On Sept. 16, 1908, Durant incorporated General Motors with Buick Motor Company as its first acquisition. Soon Durant scooped up Oldsmobile, then Cadillac and Oakland (predecessor of Pontiac) and then some truck makers that eventually became GMC. And a great number of supplier plants such as AC Spark Plug.
And when bankers took the company away from him in 1910 because he was said to be over-expanding, he hooked up with a former Buick racing star, Louis Chevrolet, and started Chevrolet Motor Company.
By 1916, Durant was able to build Chevrolet up so much that by trading stock he could regain control of GM, and then go on to other things - like acquiring a new-fangled machine, the refrigerator, and then by naming it Frigidaire.
Durant many have been GM's first visionary, but there have been many others through the decades - such as Boss Kettering, Harley Earl, Harlow Curtice. And officials like Alfred P. Sloan Jr., who recognized the genius in others.
Certainly GM hasn't always been a visionary. It hasn't always been on the cutting edge. In recent decades, the corporation faltered. "Like all human organizations, we have sometimes been too self-satisfied to see the need for change and execute it." John F. Smith Jr., a former GM chairman, once commented.
But there are indicators the corporation has once more turned in the right direction. Profits are growing, confidence is growing. General Motors should have plenty to smile about as it turns 100 next year. And we are very happy to take part in the celebration.
Buick Heritage Alliance Celebrates General Motor’s 100th Anniversary
The Buick Heritage Alliance is proud to sponsor a special display that will appear at a number of Concour’s throughout the United States. As part of this celebration, some of these cars will be on display at The 26th Annual Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show and Cruise In.
Please join us to view this outstanding collection:
1903 Curved Dash Olds owned by Peter and Debbie Stephens:
1908 Buick Model 10 owned by Guy and Anita Bennett:
1934 Cadillac V-16 convertible owned by Steven Plunkett:
1953 Buick Skylark 50th Anniversary convertible owned by Jeff and Angie Brashares:
1978 Buick LXXV anniversary Riviera owned by Bill Anderson
