Original Founder General Motors Photo Charles Mott Flint Michigan Vintage

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Seller: memorabilia111 ✉️ (808) 100%, Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 176277810515 ORIGINAL FOUNDER GENERAL MOTORS PHOTO CHARLES MOTT FLINT MICHIGAN VINTAGE. A  VINTAGE ORIGINAL PHOTO OF CHARLES STEWART MOTT. Charles Stewart Mott was an American businessman, a co-founder of General Motors, philanthropist, and the 50th and 55th mayor of Flint, Michigan.
FLINT, Mich., Sunday, Feb. 18 (AP)—Charles Stewart Mott, a one‐time soda pop bottler who went on to help guide General Motors to its place as the world's largest industrial corporation, died early today at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 97. Mr. Mott entered the hospital on Jan. 28 suffering from a cold. Hospital authorities said the cold developed into the flu and his condition deteriorated. Mr. Mott was a philanthropist, and his children also have been involved in philanthropic work. They include a son, 35‐year‐old Stewart Rawlings Mott, the multimillionaire Democrat of New York who contributed $400,000 to the McGovern Presidential campaign last year. A Canny Businessman Charles Stewart Mott was canny businessman with a gift for making money. He was also a generous philanthropist who gave it freely to cherished causes. In the business world he was best known for his long association with the General Motors Corporation. He was its largest stockholder, a director for many years and a vice president from 1916 to 1937. His favorite philanthropy was the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which he established in 1926 in his home town of Flint, Mich. Thanks for reading The Times. Subscribe to The Times This foundation, of which he was president and treasurer was devoted largely to the promotion of education, health and safety programs in Flint. This city of 196,000 inhabitants 61 miles northwest of Detroit has been called “the town that Mott built.” His gifts included a library, a junior college, an applied arts center and a Flint branch of the University of Michigan. His foundation financed recreational facilities and a summer camp for the city's children and an adult education program providing hundreds of courses in night classes. Gave Away His Stock In May, 1963, he gave his non‐profit foundation 1,826,421 shares of General Motors common stock with a market value bf more than $128,000,000. That left him with 103,587 shares, which had a market value of about $7,250,000. He was also trustee at that time of a trust of 78,800 shares for his wife and another of 600,000 shares for his wife and two children. He reputedly had. never sold a single share of his G.M. stock. His huge General Motors holding went back to 1900 when he sold a 49 per cent interest in the Weston‐Mott Company, a wheel ‐ manufacturing concern, to G.M. for $1,481,000 worth of G.M. stock. Four years later he turned over controlling interest in the company for anotherblock of G.M. Mr. Mott was born in Newark, N. J., on June 2, 1875. He was the son of John Coon and Isabella Turnbull Mott. He attended grammar school in New York, Stevens High School in Hoboken, N. J., and was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1897 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also took a course in zymotechnology, the art of inducing and applying fermentation for technical uses, at Copenhagen, Denmark, and studied chemistry of fermentation in Munich, Germany. His father was a manufacturer of cider and vinegar. Soon after graduation, Mr. Mott and his father went into the business of making soda water and bottling devices. Served in Navy After service in the Navy during the Spanish‐American War, Mr. Mott became secretary and superintendent of the WestonMott Company, which was owned by his grandfather and several uncles at Utica, N. Y. When it moved to Flint in 1907, Mr. Mott was its president. In addition to General Motors Mr. Mott had many other business interests. He was chairman of the board of the United States Sugar Company, president of the Northern Illinois Water Company and a director of other concerns. Mr. Mott was chairman of the board of the Union Industrial Bank of Flint in 1920 when it suffered heavy losses due to stock market speculation with bank funds by some of its employes. He put up more than $3,500,000 of his own money to cover tthe missing cash and protect the bank. His final loss amounted to $1,250,000. His benefactions we not limited to Flint. He gave the University of Chicago $1,000,000 to construct a building for its industrial relations center and more than $900,000 to Stevens Institute of Technology. In 1954 the Big Brothers of America and Canada named him the “big brother of the year” for his assistance to fatherless boys. He was given a gold medal for citizenship by the Michigan branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1950 and in 1947 he received the Alumni Award Medallion of the Stevens Iinstitute Alumni Association. Worked Full Day at 85 A reporter who interviewed him in 1960 when he was 85 years old described him as an “erect, mustached six‐footer with craggy features under bushy gray eyebrows.” He was working a full day at his downtown office in the Mott Foundation Building. He was still riding horseback and driving his own car. Ten years earlier, on doctor's orders, he had reluctantly given up tennis, a game he learned to play when he was 50. He once explained that he had confined his foundation's educational and recreational ac tivities to Flint “to demonstrate in a sizable community what other centers could do in the way of welfare work.” He said he had set up his foundation in his own lifetime “because I had observed how many well‐intended ideas and plans went astray after a man's death.” Mr. Mott married four times. His first two wives died and he divorced his third. His fourth wife was Miss Ruth Rawlings of El Paso, Tex., whom he married on Oct. 13, 1934. In 1900, Charles Stewart Mott and a partner owned Weston-Mott, a struggling bicycle wheel business in Utica, New York. An engineer by training, Mott helped the company transition to making automobile wheels and axles. It quickly became a major supplier to Oldsmobile, Buick, and other companies. In 1905, William Crapo “Billy” Durant asked Weston-Mott to consider opening a branch factory in Flint. Instead, Mott and his partner moved the entire company to Flint and were in operation by the end of 1906. When Billy Durant and others formed General Motors in 1908, GM bought 49% of Weston-Mott stock. The company grew as GM grew, and soon Flint’s Weston-Mott was the largest axle manufacturer in the world. In 1913, Mott—by then the sole owner of Weston-Mott—exchanged his remaining shares for General Motors stock and started what became a record 60-year career as a high-ranking GM officer. Of course the Mott family also moved to Flint in 1907—C.S.’s wife Ethel Harding Mott, and their three children who had been born in Utica: Aimee Mott (born 1902), Elsa Beatrice Mott (born 1904), and the baby, Charles Stewart Harding Mott (born 1906), whom they called Harding. C.S. Mott had a deep commitment to public service and was elected mayor of Flint for three one-year terms in 1912, 1913, and 1918. However, his last term was cut short by his service as a major in the Army Quartermaster Corps during World War I. (See TIMELINE for more information about Mott’s career.) Establishing Applewood 1992.1.934-49_Establising Applewood Belgian draft horses were often used to work the farm at Applewood. Not long after selling Weston-Mott to General Motors, the Motts bought 65 acres of farmland at the edge of the city for a family home and gentleman’s farm. They envisioned a place to help balance the stresses of work—a place where family and friends could find beauty, have fun, and stay healthy by eating fresh food and staying active with sports and games. C.S. Mott engaged his sister’s husband, Herbert Davis, as the architect. Davis had served with Mott aboard the U.S.S. Yankee during the Spanish-American War, and the two understood each other. Davis worked with landscape architect William Pitkin Jr. to design a beautiful and practical estate, including a gracious home, recreational opportunities, flower and vegetable gardens, and a farming operation that once had dairy cows, horses, pigs, and poultry. Pitkin’s landscape design incorporated an old apple orchard already on the property, and oriented the house to face the beautifully gnarled trees. When the time came to name the estate, “Applewood” was a natural choice, not only because of the orchard, but because apples were an important part of the Mott family heritage. Charles Stewart Mott’s grandfather, father, and uncles had been in the apple cider and vinegar business in New York and New Jersey from 1865 to about 1900, earning a reputation for high quality products. In fact, the Mott name still brands some apple products today. Changes and Challenges 1 Winter at Applewood during the early 1930s. The core of the estate was built in 1916, and while additions were made for several years—especially as the landscaping developed—it soon began to operate as the Motts had envisioned. A small staff looked after the gardens, farm, and household chores, with several of them living at the estate. C.S. had grown up with horses and was an accomplished rider. The barn at Applewood had stalls for horses that the family rode for pleasure, as well as larger draft horses to work the farm. The family and staff ate and preserved the meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables produced at Applewood, selling or giving away excess. The children enjoyed the pool in the summertime, and visitors could play croquet or tennis with the Motts, or bowl a few frames in the basement bowling alley. The Motts pleasant home life was marred by Ethel Mott’s death in 1924. Shortly afterward, with all three children away at school, Applewood became a quieter place. C.S. concentrated on his work, often traveling and maintaining an extensive network of friends and colleagues across the country, many of whom were frequent guests to Applewood. It was during this time that Mott established his lasting legacy and great philanthropic contribution to Flint, the C.S. Mott Foundation. Initially focusing on education and health care in Flint, the foundation gradually became involved in other cities in the United States and around the world. In 1927, C.S. met and married Mitties Rathburn, but their happiness was short-lived. Just a few months later, Mitties died soon after contracting a rare disease. Mott tried to heal his “battered heart” with a marriage to society editor, Dee Furey, in the spring of 1929. But things didn’t work out, and they were divorced before year’s end. The stock market crash in October 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression occupied much of C.S. Mott’s time over the next decade. Not only was he dealing with auto industry challenges as a vice president of General Motors, but he was involved with other businesses, banks, and his foundation, all of which were under financial pressure. Cousin Ruth 2003.1.48_Cousin Ruth Ruth Mott arranging flowers, 1945. Ruth Rawlings was born in 1901 in El Paso, Texas, where her father was a family practice physician serving those in need on both sides of the border. Her mother was a businesswoman, kindergarten teacher, and founder of the El Paso YWCA. Ruth was athletic and artistic. She went east to study physical education, became a teacher, and returned to El Paso to open a dance studio. It was there that she met Charles Stewart Mott in 1932 while he was on one of his frequent western trips. They discovered that they were distantly related through the Mott family. C.S. frequently called her, C.R., for Cousin Ruth. The two shared many interests and quickly fell in love. They married in 1934, and she moved to Applewood. She became a mother, an active partner with her husband in the community, and prominent as a local leader, foundation trustee, and philanthropist. C.S. and Ruth had three children: Susan Elizabeth Mott (born 1936), Stewart Rawlings Mott (born 1937), and Maryanne Turnbull Mott (born 1942). Once again, Applewood was a family home, full of comings and goings, games, and laughter. Planning for the Future Ruth Mott receiving a flowers at the dedication of the C.S. Mott Community Center of Science & Applied Arts Building, 1955  Ruth Mott receiving a flowers at the dedication of the C.S. Mott Community Center of Science & Applied Arts Building, 1955 By 1949, the Motts decided it was time to shut down the farming operations at Applewood. The farm manager was ready to retire, and C.S. himself was approaching 75. But instead of slowing down, C.S. wanted to spend more time on community interests. In 1951, he donated Applewood’s former pasture land, along with additional funds, to help expand what is now Mott Community College. Ruth Mott served as a trustee on the board of the C.S. Mott Foundation from 1944 to 1975. Much loved by the people of Flint, Ruth supported projects devoted to health promotion, the arts, and the environment. She and C.S. often hosted local groups at Applewood, a practice she continued after his death in 1973 at the age of 97. C.S. arranged for $42 million of his $43.3 million estate to go to the C. S. Mott Foundation upon his death. When C.S. died in 1973, his son, Harding, had been president of the foundation for several years. By the time Harding died in 1989, the C.S. Mott Foundation had become the 12th largest charitable organization in the United States. Ruth Mott established the Ruth Mott Fund in 1975 to further her civic and charitable work and began to plan for Applewood’s future. It was her desire that the estate eventually be opened to the public as a memorial to Charles Stewart Mott and his ideals. As part of that plan, she began an ambitious project to restore the estate to its former glory. Ruth’s loyalty to her adopted community of Flint continues through her generous endowment of the Ruth Mott Foundation, established upon her death in 1999. The foundation maintains 34 acres of the original Applewood Estate, the home she shared for 38 years with her partner and husband, Charles Stewart Mott. As the Motts once did, we welcome you to Applewood. In 1900, when Mott started managing the Weston-Mott Co., his family’s bicycle-tire manufacturing firm in Utica, N.Y., he expanded the business by manufacturing wheels for automobiles as well as bicycles. As president of the company from 1903 to 1913, Mott moved the company to Flint in 1906 to be close to the production centre of the growing automobile industry. When General Motors was formed in 1908, Mott acquired a great quantity of their stock in exchange for 49 percent of his Weston-Mott holdings. In 1913, when Weston-Mott had become the world’s leading supplier of automobile axles, Mott traded in the remaining 51 percent of his Weston-Mott stock for General Motors stock. (By 1942 he was the corporation’s largest stockholder.) Mott was active in General Motors leadership as a corporation director from 1913 until his death and was also a vice president from 1916 to 1937. Mott was mayor of Flint three times between 1912 and 1918. In 1926 he created the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. His subsequent gifts of cash and stock made his foundation one of the largest in the country, with $300 million in assets by the time of his death. The foundation funded a wide range of social and educational services for Flint, among other projects. The name Charles Stewart Mott is today most widely recognizable when used in connection with the word Foundation . Established by the General Motors mogul in 1926, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has made grants in excess of $3 billion over the past nine decades, both in Mott’s adopted hometown of Flint, Michigan, and around the world. But philanthropy is only one reason the life of Mott—entrepreneur, industrialist, banker, mayor, and sometimes even cowboy—is worth knowing about today. Mott was born ten years after the death of Abraham Lincoln and one year before the 1876 centennial of the founding of the United States. He not only lived through the most dramatic technological shift and period of economic growth that had yet been known, but he actively participated in and contributed to these events as a major innovator and leader at General Motors, as a public official, and as a philanthropist who in many ways reinvented the nonprofit model. Known widely as Mr. Flint, Mott was elected three times as the city’s mayor and played a central role in modernizing and expanding its infrastructure and institutions. In office, Mott helped transform Flint from a town capable of efficiently accommodating a population of roughly thirteen thousand in the first decade of the twentieth century to a modern metropolis capable of hosting an industrial middle class of more than one hundred thousand. This vivid biography portrays a complex, brilliant, often contradictory, and ultimately fascinating man. His life—both as a record of himself and as a reflection of his times—makes for a good and important story that will be enjoyed by readers interested in Michigan history and politics, the automotive industry, and global philanthropy. Charles Stewart Mott was a great automotive pioneer that helped put America on wheels. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 2, 1875. In 1897, he received his degree in engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.  At the beginning of his career, Mott worked as a talented engineer with a bicycle wheel and hub manufacturing company. Later, he and his father purchased the company and renamed it the Weston-Mott Company of Utica New York. Upon his father’s death in 1900, Mott became plant superintendent and corporate secretary of the company.  C.S. Mott in a Buick during the 1939 Parade of Progress Mott Foundation 2 RESIZED C.S. Mott in a Buick during the 1939 Parade of Progress (Mott Foundation) As the horse and buggy days began to wind down, Weston-Mott began making complete wire wheel and axle assemblies for the fledgling automobile industry. The first order of 500 wire wheel sets was from Olds Motor Works for their curved dash Olds, which was becoming very popular.  Wire wheels proved to be short-lived, as the automobile manufacturers shifted to wooden wheels because of their superior strength. Some automotive historians said that the automakers also required their suppliers to provide rear chain drive and front axles for assembly. This change would entail an extensive addition to Weston-Mott’s product line.  C.S. Mott 1965 Detroit News 3 RESIZED C.S. Mott in 1965 (The Detroit News) After many hours of hard work and visiting many other automotive manufacturers, Weston-Mott turned out its first wooden wheels with a chain drive axle assembly.  As demand increased, the company subcontracted production of bearings and gears to the Hyatt Roller Bearing and Brown-Lipe Companies.   Mott with his portrait 4 RESIZED Mott with his portrait In 1905, William Durant, who had gained control of Buick Motors with his partner J. Dallas Dort, approached Mott about building a Weston-Mott plant in Flint, Michigan next to the Buick plant. Mott needed the additional space to increase production. By 1906, the factory was up and running, supplying Buick and other automakers with wheels and axles.  In 1912, Mott was elected to a two-year term as mayor of Flint, and, the next year, he became a member of General Motors’ board of directors, serving for 60 years until his death in 1973. In 1918, he was again elected mayor of Flint, serving two more terms. From 1924 to 1934, he was appointed civilian aide for Michigan to the Secretary of War. Mott with a globe 5 Mott with a globe Some automotive historians have said Mott had a passion for saving and simply could not tolerate waste in any form. He admired one automobile, the Corvair, because it was easy on gas and simple to drive. In his eyes, it was better than a Cadillac.  Charles Stewart Mott’s legacy was an example of how, through hard work, a strong business plain and a great vision, to create a great company that makes a great product. Another part of his legacy is the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, established in 1926 with a $320,000 endowment. Today, the Foundation has more than $3 billion in assets, offices in three countries and a legacy of working with local organizations to strengthen communities around the world. The Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $3.2 billion to organizations in 62 countries. In conclusion, Mott will always be one of the pioneers of the automotive history. Mott, Charles Stewart (1875-1973) — also known as Charles S. Mott; C. S. Mott — of Flint, Genesee County, Mich. Born in Newark, Essex County, N.J., June 2, 1875. Served in the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War; mayor of Flint, Mich., 1912-14, 1918-19; defeated, 1914; candidate in Republican primary for Governor of Michigan, 1920; delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1924, 1940; Republican candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1964. Episcopalian. Member, United Spanish War Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Freemasons; Elks; Moose; Kiwanis; Rotary. Vice-president of General Motors. Philanthropist; founder of Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Died in Flint, Genesee County, Mich., February 18, 1973 (age 97 years, 261 days). Entombed at Glenwood Cemetery, Flint, Mich. Charles Stewart Mott (June 2, 1875 – February 18, 1973) was an American businessman, a co-founder of General Motors, philanthropist, and the 50th and 55th mayor of Flint, Michigan.[2] Contents 1 Career 2 Philanthropy 3 Personal life 4 Applewood 5 Death 6 References 7 External links Career Charles Stewart Mott was born on June 2, 1875 in Newark, Essex County, N.J. to John Coon Mott and Isabella Turnbull Stewart. He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1897 with a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1907 Mott moved his wheel manufacturing firm, Weston Mott, from Utica, New York to Flint, Michigan after an invitation by William C. Durant, then the President of the Buick Motor Company, which was soon to become the General Motors Corporation.[3] In due course, Weston-Mott later merged with GM. For many decades going forward Mott would remain the single largest individual shareholder in the firm, and accumulate wealth in excess of $800 million. His closest proteges at the helm of GM were Alfred P. Sloan Jr.[4] and Charles Kettering.[5] In 1921, Mott became chief of the GM Advisory Staff at the Detroit headquarters. He served on the GM Board of Directors for 60 years, from 1913 until his death in 1973. He was Mayor of the City of Flint in 1912–1913 and was defeated for re-election in 1914, but was again elected in 1918. In 1920, he ran in the Republican primary for governor of Michigan. In 1924 and 1940, he was a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Convention. He was selected as a Republican presidential elector candidate for Michigan in 1964. Mott purchased U.S. Sugar in 1931.[6] Philanthropy In 1926, Mott established the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The Foundation celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2016 by announcing that in the previous nine decades it had made more than $3 billion in grants to support initiatives in education, the environment, health, and other key areas.[7] Personal life C.S. Mott married Ethel Culbert Harding in 1900 and they had three children: Aimee, Elsa and C.S. Harding. Ethel Mott died in 1924 at age 43 after falling from the window of her second-story bedroom.[8] In 1927, Mott married his second wife Mitlies Rathburn (1892-1928).[9] She died on February 26, 1928.[10] In March 1929, Mott married his third wife, Dee Furey (1899-1986), and filed for divorce in October of the same year.[11] In 1934 Mott married his fourth wife, Ruth Rawlings,[12] with whom he also had three children: Susan Elizabeth, Stewart Rawlings, and Maryanne.[13] Applewood C.S. Mott's Flint, Michigan estate, Applewood, was built in 1916 as a self-sustaining farm for the Mott family. The main residence and grounds encompass approximately 34 acres (140,000 m2), 18 extensively landscaped. They include perennial, rose, cut flower and demonstration gardens, and an orchard with 29 varieties of heritage apples. The Ruth Mott Foundation currently owns and maintains Applewood, which is seasonally open to the public.[14] Death Mott died on February 18, 1973 in Flint. Mott was interred at in the Mott Family Mausoleum in Glenwood Cemetery.[15] Political offices Preceded by John A. C. Menton Mayor of Flint 1912–1914 Succeeded by John R. MacDonald Preceded by George C. Kellar Mayor of Flint 1918–1919 Succeeded by George C. Kellar The General Motors Company[2] (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturing corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States.[3] It is the largest automaker in the United States and was the largest in the world for 77 years, until losing the top spot to Toyota.[4][5] General Motors operates manufacturing plants in 8 countries.[6] Its four core automobile brands are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. It also holds interests in Chinese brands Wuling Motors and Baojun as well as DMAX via joint ventures.[2] BrightDrop is the company's delivery-focused service.[7] GM Defense produces military vehicles for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of State.[8] OnStar provides vehicle safety, security and information services.[9] ACDelco is the company's auto parts division. The company provides financing via GM Financial. The company is developing self-driving cars through its majority ownership in Cruise LLC. GM intends to end production and sales of vehicles using internal combustion engines, including hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids by 2035, as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.[10] GM offers more flexible-fuel vehicles, which can operate on either E85 ethanol fuel or gasoline, or any blend of both, than any other automaker.[11] The company traces itself to a holding company for Buick established on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant, the largest seller of horse-drawn vehicles at the time.[12] The current entity was established in 2009 after the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.[13] GM is ranked 22nd on the Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.[14] Contents 1 History 1.1 Chapter 11 bankruptcy and bailout 1.2 Post-reorganization 1.3 Other international history 1.3.1 China 1.3.2 Japan 1.3.3 Indonesia 1.3.4 South Korea 1.3.5 Uzbekistan 1.3.6 India 1.3.7 Thailand 1.3.8 Egypt 1.3.9 Nigeria 1.3.10 Tunisia 1.3.11 East Africa 1.3.12 South Africa 1.3.13 New Zealand 1.3.14 Australia 1.4 Motorsports history 2 Brands 2.1 Current 2.2 Former 3 Financial results 3.1 Vehicle sales 4 Management 4.1 Current board of directors 4.2 Chairmen of the Board of General Motors 4.3 Chief Executive Officers of General Motors 5 Philanthropy 6 Labor conflicts 6.1 Flint sit-down strike 6.2 Tool and die strike of 1939 6.3 United Auto Workers (UAW) strike of 1945–1946 6.4 2007 General Motors strike 6.5 2019 General Motors strike 7 Controversies 7.1 Streetcar conspiracy 7.2 Ralph Nader and the Corvair 7.3 Ignition switch recall 7.4 Xinjiang region 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links History Further information: History of General Motors This section may require copy editing for most sentences, which start with "In [year]". You can assist by editing it. (March 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) William C. Durant's Durant-Dort Carriage Company, of Flint, Michigan, had become the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States by 1900.[15] Durant was averse to automobiles, but fellow Flint businessman James H. Whiting, owner of Flint Wagon Works, sold him the Buick Motor Company in 1904.[16] Durant formed General Motors Company in 1908 as a holding company, with partner Charles Stewart Mott, borrowing a naming convention from General Electric.[17] GM's first acquisition was Buick, which Durant already owned, then Oldsmobile on November 12, 1908.[18] In 1909, Durant's GM acquired Cadillac, Elmore, Welch, Cartercar, Oakland (predecessor of Pontiac), the Reliance Motor Truck Company of Owosso, Michigan, and the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company of Pontiac, Michigan (predecessors of GMC). Durant, with the board's approval, tried acquiring Ford Motor Company in 1909 but needed an additional $2 million.[19] Durant over-leveraged GM in making these acquisitions, and was removed by the board of directors in 1910 at the behest of the bankers who backed the loans to keep GM in business.[16] The action of the bankers was partially influenced by the Panic of 1910–1911 that followed the earlier enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. In 1911, Charles F. Kettering, with Henry M. Leland, of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO) invented and patented the first electric starter in America.[20] In November 1911, Durant co-founded Chevrolet with Swiss race car driver Louis Chevrolet, who left the company bearing his name in 1915 after a disagreement with Durant.[21] General Motors Company share certificate issued October 13, 1916 In 1916, GM was reincorporated in Detroit as General Motors Corporation and became a public company via an initial public offering. By 1917, Chevrolet had become successful enough that Durant, with the backing of Samuel McLaughlin and Pierre S. du Pont, reacquired a controlling interest in GM. Chevrolet Motor Company was consolidated into GM on May 2, 1918.[22][23] In 1919, the company acquired Guardian Frigerator Company, part owned by Durant, which was renamed Frigidaire.[16] In 1920, du Pont orchestrated the removal of Durant once again and replaced him with Alfred P. Sloan.[24] At a time when GM was competing heavily with Ford Motor Company, Sloan established annual model changes, making previous years' models "dated" and creating a market for used cars.[25] He also implemented the pricing strategy that all car companies use today. The pricing strategy had Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac priced from least expensive to most, respectively.[26] In 1917, GM acquired Samson Tractor.[27] In 1918, GM acquired United Motors, a parts supplier founded by Durant and headed by Alfred P. Sloan, for $45 million. The McLaughlin Motor Car Company, founded by R. S. McLaughlin, became General Motors of Canada Limited.[28] In 1919, GM formed the General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) to provide financing to automotive customers.[29] In 1921, Thomas Midgley Jr., an engineer for GM, discovered tetraethyllead (leaded gasoline) as an antiknock agent and GM patented the compound because ethanol could not be patented.[30] This led to the development of higher compression engines resulting in more power and efficiency. The public later realized that lead contained in the gasoline was harmful to various biological organisms including humans.[31] Evidence shows that corporate executives understood the health implications of tetraethyllead from the beginning.[32] Also as an engineer for GM, Midgley developed chlorofluorocarbons, which have now been banned due to their contribution to climate change.[33] In 1925, under the encouragement of GM President Alfred P. Sloan Jr., GM acquired Vauxhall Motors for $2.5 million.[34] In 1925, the company acquired an interest in the Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company and its president, John D. Hertz joined the board of directors of GM; it acquired the remainder of the company in 1943.[16] In 1926, the company introduced the Pontiac brand.[16] In 1926, GM set up General Motors Group Insurance Program to provide life insurance to employees.[16] In 1927, after the success of the 1927 model of the Cadillac Lasalle designed by Harley Earl, Sloan created the "Art and Color Section" of GM, and named Earl as its first director, making Earl the first top executive ever appointed in design of a major corporation in American history. Earl created a system of automobile design that is still practiced today.[35] In 1929, GM acquired 80% of Opel, which at that time had a 37.5% market share in Europe, for $26 million and acquired the remaining 20% of Opel in 1931.[34] In 1929, GM acquired Allison Engine Company[16][36] and began developing a 1,000 horsepower liquid-cooled aircraft engine.[16] In the late-1920s, Charles Kettering embarked on a program to develop a lightweight two-stroke diesel engine for possible usage in automobiles.[37] In 1930, GM acquired Electro-Motive Company and the Winton Engine Co., and in 1941 it expanded EMC's realm to locomotive engine manufacturing.[38] In 1932, GM acquired Packard.[16][39] In 1933, GM acquired a controlling interest in North American Aviation and merged it with the General Aviation Manufacturing Corporation.[40] In 1935, the United Auto Workers labor union was formed, and in 1936 the UAW organized the Flint Sit-Down Strike, which initially idled two key plants in Flint, but later spread to 6 other plants including those in Janesville, Wisconsin and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In Flint, police attempted to enter the plant to arrest strikers, leading to violence; in other cities the plants were shuttered peacefully. The strike was resolved on February 11, 1937, when GM recognized the UAW as the exclusive bargaining representative for its workers and gave workers a 5% raise and permission to speak in the lunchroom.[41] At the age of 24, Bill Mitchell was recruited by Harley Earl to the design team at GM, and he was appointed as Chief Designer of Cadillac the following year, 1936. After Earl retired in December 1958, Mitchell took over automotive design for GM.[42] Jominy & Boegehold of GM invented the Jominy end-quench test for hardenability of carbon steel in 1937, a breakthrough in heat treating still in use today as ASTM A255.[43] In 1938, GM established Detroit Diesel.[44] In 1939, the company founded Motors Insurance Corporation and entered the vehicle insurance market.[29] In 1939, GM introduced the Hydramatic, the world's first affordable and successful automatic transmission, for the 1940 Oldsmobile.[45][46] 1926 Pontiac radiator logo 1926 Pontiac radiator logo   1928 Pontiac Series 6-28 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan 1928 Pontiac Series 6-28 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan   1932 Pontiac Series 402 Six 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan 1932 Pontiac Series 402 Six 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan   1936 Pontiac Master Six Series 6BB Coupe 1936 Pontiac Master Six Series 6BB Coupe During World War II, GM produced vast quantities of armaments, vehicles, and aircraft for the Allies of World War II. In 1940, GM's William S. Knudsen served as head of U.S. wartime production for President Franklin Roosevelt and by 1942, all of GM's production was to support the war.[47] GM's Vauxhall Motors manufactured the Churchill tank series for the Allies, instrumental in the North African campaign.[16] However, its Opel division, based in Germany, supplied the Nazi Party with vehicles. Sloan, head of GM at the time, was an ardent opponent of the New Deal, which bolstered labor unions and public transport, and Sloan admired and supported Adolf Hitler.[48][49] Nazi armaments chief Albert Speer allegedly said in 1977 that Hitler "would never have considered invading Poland" without synthetic fuel technology provided by General Motors. GM was compensated $32 million by the U.S. government because its German factories were bombed by U.S. forces during the war.[50] Effective January 28, 1953, Charles Erwin Wilson, then GM president, was named by Dwight D. Eisenhower as United States Secretary of Defense.[16] In December 1953, GM acquired Euclid Trucks, a manufacturer of heavy equipment for earthmoving, including dump trucks, loaders and wheel tractor-scrapers, which later spawned the Terex brand.[51][52] In April 1956, Alfred P. Sloan retired as chairman and was succeeded by Albert Bradley.[53] In 1962, GM introduced the first turbo charged engine in the world for a car in the Oldsmobile Cutlass Turbo-Jetfire.[16][54] General Motors "Mark of Excellence" logo used from 1964 to 2021 In 1964, the company introduced its "Mark of Excellence" logo and trademark at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The company used the mark as their main corporate identifier until 2021.[55] In 1966, GM released the Electrovan, the first hydrogen fuel cell car ever produced.[56] Though fuel cells have been around since the early 1800s, General Motors was the first to use a fuel cell, supplied by Union Carbide, to power the wheels of a vehicle with a budget of "millions of dollars".[57][58][59] An advertisement for the 1969 Chevrolet Nova using the advertising slogan "Putting you first, keeps us first" In the 1960s, GM was the first to use turbochargers and was an early proponent of V6 engines but quickly lost interest as popularity of muscle cars increased. GM demonstrated gas turbine vehicles powered by kerosene, an area of interest throughout the industry, but abandoned the alternative engine configuration due to the 1973 oil crisis.[60] In 1971, in partnership with Boeing, GM's Delco Defense Electronics Division designed the Lunar Roving Vehicle, which traversed the surface of the Moon.[61][62] In 1972, GM produced the first rear wheel anti-lock braking system for two models: the Toronado and Eldorado.[63] In 1973, the Oldsmobile Toronado was the first retail sold car with a passenger airbag.[64][65] In November 1974, Thomas Murphy became CEO of the company, succeeding Richard C. Gerstenberg.[66][67] In 1974, for its 1975 models, GM installed its first catalytic converters.[68] From 1978 to 1985, GM pushed the benefits of diesel engines and cylinder deactivation technologies. However, it had disastrous results due to poor durability in the Oldsmobile diesels and drivability issues in the Cadillac V8-6-4 variable-cylinder engines.[69] In 1979, the company sold Frigidaire, which had between $450 million and $500 million in annual revenues but was losing money.[70] In 1984, Robert Lee of GM invented the Fe14Nd2B permanent magnet, fabricated by rapid solidification.[71] In 1984, GM acquired Electronic Data Systems from Ross Perot for $2.5 billion as part of a strategy by CEO Roger Smith to derive at least 10% of its annual worldwide revenue from nonautomotive sources.[72] GM also intended to have EDS handle its bookkeeping, help computerize factories, and integrate GM's computer systems. The transaction made Ross Perot the largest shareholder of GM; however, disagreements with Roger Smith led the company to buy all shares held by Ross Perot for $750 million in 1986.[73] In 1985, in a continuation of its diversification plans, GMAC formed GMAC Mortgage and acquired Colonial Mortgage as well as the servicing arm of Norwest Mortgage, which included an $11 billion mortgage portfolio.[74] In 1985, GM also acquired Hughes Aircraft Company for $5 billion in cash and stock and merged it into Delco Electronics.[75] In 1986, GM acquired 59.7% of Lotus Cars, a British producer of high-performance sports cars.[76] In 1987, in conjunction with AeroVironment, GM built the Sunraycer, which won the inaugural World Solar Challenge and was a showcase of advanced technology. Much of the technology from Sunraycer found its way into the Impact prototype electric vehicle (also built by Aerovironment) and was the predecessor to the General Motors EV1.[77] In 1988, GM acquired a 15% stake in AeroVironment.[78] In 1989, GM acquired half of Saab Automobile's car operations for $600 million.[79] In August 1990, Robert Stempel became CEO of the company, succeeding Roger Smith.[80] GM cut output significantly and suffered losses that year due to the early 1990s recession.[81] In 1990, GM debuted the General Motors EV1 (Impact) concept, a battery electric vehicle, at the LA Auto Show. It was the first car with zero-emissions marketed in the US in over three decades. The Impact was produced as the EV1 for the 1996 model year and was available through only via lease from certain dealers in California and Arizona. In 1999–2002, GM ceased production of the vehicles and started to not renew the leases, disappointing many people, allegedly because the program would not be profitable and would cannibalize its existing business. All of the EV1s were eventually returned to General Motors and, with the exception of around 40 which were donated to museums with their electric powertrains deactivated, all were destroyed. The documentary film Who Killed the Electric Car? covered the EV1 story.[82] In November 1992, John F. Smith Jr. became CEO of the company.[83] In 1993, GM sold Lotus Cars to Bugatti.[84] In 1996, in a return to its automotive basics, GM completed the corporate spin-off of Electronic Data Systems.[85][86] In 1997, GM sold the military businesses of Hughes Aircraft Company to Raytheon Company for $9.5 billion in stock and the assumption of debt.[87][88][89][90] In February 2000, Rick Wagoner was named CEO, succeeding John F. Smith Jr.[91][92] The next month, GM gave 5.1% of its common stock, worth $2.4 billion, to acquire a 20% share of Fiat.[93] Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid vehicle Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid vehicle   Second generation Chevrolet Volt Second generation Chevrolet Volt   The Chevrolet Volt The Chevrolet Volt   The General Motors EV1, an electric car, was introduced in California in 1996 The General Motors EV1, an electric car, was introduced in California in 1996 In May 2004, GM delivered the first full-sized pickup truck hybrid vehicles, the 1/2-ton Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra trucks.[94] These mild hybrids did not use electrical energy for propulsion, like GM's later designs. Later, the company debuted another hybrid technology, co-developed with DaimlerChrysler and BMW, in diesel-electric hybrid powertrain manufactured by Allison Transmission for transit buses.[95] Continuing to target the diesel-hybrid market, the Opel Astra diesel engine hybrid concept vehicle was rolled out in January 2005.[96] Later that year, GM sold its Electro-Motive Diesel locomotive division to private equity firms Berkshire Partners and Greenbriar Equity Group.[97][98] GM paid $2 billion to sever its ties with Fiat in 2005, severing ties with the company due to increasingly contentious dispute.[99] GM began adding its "Mark of Excellence" emblem on all new vehicles produced and sold in North America in mid-2005. However, after the reorganization in 2009, the company no longer added the logo, saying that emphasis on its four core divisions would downplay the GM logo.[100][101] In 2005, Edward T. Welburn, was promoted to the newly created position of vice president, GM Global Design, making him the first African American to lead a global automotive design organization, and the highest-ranking African American in the US motor industry at that time. On July 1, 2016, he retired from General Motors after 44 years. He was replaced by Michael Simcoe.[102][103] In 2006, GM introduced a bright yellow gas cap on its vehicles to remind drivers that cars can operate using E85 ethanol fuel.[104] They also introduced another hybrid vehicle that year, the Saturn Vue Green Line.[105] In 2008, General Motors committed to engineering half of its manufacturing plants to be landfill-free. In order to achieve its landfill-free status, production waste is recycled or reused in the manufacturing process.[106] Continuing their environmental-conscious development, GM started to offer the 2-mode hybrid system in the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and pickup trucks.[107] In late 2008, the world's largest rooftop solar power installation was installed at GM's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza. The Zaragoza solar installation has about 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2) of roof at the plant and contains about 85,000 solar panels. The installation was created, owned and operated by Veolia Environment and Clairvoyant Energy, which leases the rooftop area from GM.[108][109][110] Chapter 11 bankruptcy and bailout Further information: General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization In March 2009, after the company had received $17.4 billion in bailouts but was not effective in a turnaround, President Barack Obama forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner.[111] General Motors filed for a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization on June 8, 2009.[112][113] On July 10, 2009, the original General Motors sold assets and some subsidiaries to an entirely new company, including the trademark "General Motors".[112][113] Liabilities were left with the original GM, renamed Motors Liquidation Company, freeing the companies of many liabilities and resulting in a new GM.[112][113] Through the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the United States Department of the Treasury invested $49.5 billion in General Motors and recovered $39 billion when it sold its shares on December 9, 2013, resulting in a loss of $10.3 billion. The Treasury invested an additional $17.2 billion into GM's former financing company, GMAC (now Ally Financial). The shares in Ally were sold on December 18, 2014, for $19.6 billion netting the government $2.4 billion in profit, including dividends.[114][115] A study by the Center for Automotive Research found that the GM bailout saved 1.2 million jobs and preserved $34.9 billion in tax revenue.[116] In 2009, the company shut down its Saturn Corporation and Pontiac brands after failing to find a buyer for the brands, and sold Hummer to Tengzhong.[117] General Motors Canada was not part of the General Motors Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[118] Post-reorganization In June 2009, at the request of Steven Rattner, lead adviser to President Barack Obama on the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, Edward Whitacre Jr., who had led a restructuring of AT&T was named chairman of the company.[119] In July 2009, after 40 days of bankruptcy protection, the company emerged from the government-backed General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.[120] In December 2009, the board of directors forced CEO Frederick Henderson to resign and Edward Whitacre Jr. was named interim CEO.[121] In 2010, GM acquired Americredit, a subprime lender, for $3.5 billion, which was merged into GM Financial.[122] In November 2010, GM again became a public company via an initial public offering that was one of the world's top five largest IPOs to date.[123] The company returned to profitability in 2010.[124] In January 2010, GM sold Saab Automobile to Dutch automaker Spyker Cars.[125][126] In May 2010, the company repaid a $6.7 billion loan from the government ahead of schedule.[127] In September 2010, Daniel Akerson became CEO of the company.[128] In 2010, GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), an electric vehicle with back-up generators powered by gasoline, or series plug-in hybrid.[129][130] GM delivered the first Volt in December 2010.[131] The Chevrolet Volt was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with back-up generators powered by gasoline (range-extended electric vehicle).[132] General Motors built a prototype two-seat electric vehicle with Segway Inc. An early prototype of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility vehicle—dubbed Project P.U.M.A. – was presented in New York at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.[133] 2nd generation Buick LaCrosse (2010–2016)[134][135] 2nd generation Buick LaCrosse (2010–2016)[134][135]   General Motors Sequel, a fuel cell-powered vehicle from GM General Motors Sequel, a fuel cell-powered vehicle from GM   E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Impala LT 2009 (USA) E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Impala LT 2009 (USA)   The Chevrolet Bolt EV was released in late 2016 The Chevrolet Bolt EV was released in late 2016 In July 2011, General Motors invested $7.5 million in solar-panel provider Sunlogics to install solar panels on GM facilities.[136] In October 2011, GM introduced the Chevrolet Spark EV, an all-electric car version of the third generation Chevrolet Spark, the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors in the U.S. since the General Motors EV1 was discontinued in 1999. The production version was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.[137][138] The Chevrolet Spark was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013.[139] Retail sales began in South Korea in October 2013.[140] In 2011, GM revived one of its idled U.S. factories for the production of a subcompact car in Orion, Michigan, with the creation of 1,500 jobs. This was the first time that GM produced a subcompact car in the United States since the Chevrolet Chevette ended production in 1986.[141] Production started in late 2011 with the Chevrolet Sonic.[142] GM ended production of the Sonic at Orion Assembly on October 19, 2020.[143] In 2012, PSA Group and General Motors formed an alliance and GM acquired 7% of PSA Group.[144] The ownership was divested on December 13, 2013, generating gross proceeds of €250 million.[145][146] On July 2, 2013, GM and Honda announced a partnership to develop fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies for the 2020 time frame. GM and Honda are leaders in fuel cell technology, ranking first and second, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them according to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index.[147][148][149] In late 2013, after having lost approximately $18 billion over 12 years, GM began phasing out mainstream sales of Chevrolet in Europe, and finished by late 2015, to focus on Opel/Vauxhall. The Chevrolet brand had been reintroduced in Europe in 2005, selling mostly rebranded Daewoo Motors cars acquired by GM Korea.[150][151] On January 15, 2014, Mary Barra was named chief executive officer, succeeding Daniel Akerson. Barra also joined the GM board.[152] The 2014 General Motors recall, which was due to faulty ignition switches, and was linked to at least 124 deaths, was estimated to cost the company $1.5 billion.[153] In October 2015, the second-generation Volt was launched in the United States and Canada. The second generation had an upgraded drivetrain and improved battery system that increased the all-electric range from 38 to 53 miles (61 to 85 km).[154][155][156] On January 4, 2016, GM invested $500 million in Lyft.[157] This was GM's first investment in ride-sharing.[158] In March 2016, General Motors acquired Cruise, a San Francisco self-driving vehicle start-up, to develop self-driving cars that could be used in ride-sharing fleets.[159][160] In October 2016, GM began production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the first ever mass market all-electric car with a range of more than 200 miles (320 km).[161][162] The battery pack and most drivetrain components were built by LG Corporation and assembled in GM's plant in Lake Orion, Michigan.[163] In December 2016, General Motors began testing self-driving vehicles on public roads in Michigan after Governor Rick Snyder signed bills legalizing the operation of autonomous vehicles.[164] In 2017, GM introduced its Super Cruise autopilot feature into certain models of its cars.[165][166] On March 6, 2017, General Motors sold its Opel and Vauxhall brands to PSA Group for $2.3 billion.[167][168] On April 20, 2017, the Government of Venezuela seized the General Motors Venezolana plant in Valencia, Carabobo.[169] In October 2017, GM acquired Strobe, a solid state LIDAR company. Strobe's prototypes produce brief "chirps" of frequency-modulated (FM) laser light, where the frequency within each chirp varies linearly. Measuring the phase and frequency of the echoing chirp allows the system to directly measure both the distance and the velocity of objects in the road ahead. Strobe, Cruise and GM will work together to develop the technology for future self-driving cars.[170][171] In October 2018, Honda invested $2.75 billion in GM's self-driving car unit, including an initial investment of $275 million, followed by $2 billion within a year.[172][173][174] In November 2018, GM announced it would lay off more than 14,000 employees in North America, comprising 15% of its workforce and 25% of its executive staff in the region.[127] The company ceased production at three assemblies: Lordstown Assembly in Ohio, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in Michigan and Oshawa in Canada and two engine/transmission (White Marsh, Maryland, and Warren, Michigan) plants in 2019.[175][176] In March 2019, GM ceased production of the Chevrolet Volt.[177] In March 2019, the company announced that it would begin production of a new EV model in Lake Orion, Michigan.[178] In May 2019, General Motors received pushback on its plan to release a fleet of up to 2,500 modified Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles. The company planned to release these vehicles by Q4 of 2019 as part of initiatives to build a controlled self-driving fleet.[179] In November 2019, GM sold its former Chevy Cruze plant in Lordstown, Ohio to Lordstown Motors.[180] In January 2020, GM announced the return of the Hummer nameplate as a series of electric vehicles to be sold from within the GMC portfolio, known as the GMC Hummer EV.[181] The first vehicle, a pickup truck variant with over 1,000 horsepower, shipped in December 2021.[182][183][184] ] In April 2020, the company shut down Maven, a car-sharing service in the United States.[186][187] In September 2020, GM announced a partnership with Nikola Corporation to engineer and manufacture the Nikola Badger and GM made an equity investment in Nikola. The Badger will use GM's Ultium battery technology, and GM will be an exclusive fuel cell supplier for all of Nikola's class 7/8 trucks.[188] Following fraud allegations from short-seller[citation needed] Hindenburg Research in relation to the mechanical capabilities of the Badger pickup truck along with separate sexual misconduct allegations involving former CEO Trevor Milton, GM scaled back its investment with Nikola via a smaller revised deal.[189][190] In September 2020, GM and Honda announced an alliance to cooperate on purchasing, research, and vehicle development.[191][192] In November 2020, GM committed to increased capital investment in electric vehicles to over half of new capital expenditures, totaling $27 billion over five years.[193] On January 8, 2021, GM introduced a new logo alongside a tagline "EVerybody in", with the capitalized "EV" as a nod to the company's commitment to electric vehicles.[194][195] GM's new logo used negative space to create the idea of an electric plug in the "M" of the logo.[196] At the January 2021 Consumer Electronics Show, GM launched BrightDrop, its brand for all-electric commercial vehicles.[197] On January 28, 2021, GM announced that it will end production and sales of fossil-fuel vehicles (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) by 2035 as part of its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2040.[198] In 2021, GM announced plans to establish an automotive battery and battery pack laboratory in Michigan.[199][200][201] GM will be responsible for battery management systems and power electronics, thermal management, as well as the pack assembly. An existing GM facility at Brownstown Township was chosen to be upgraded as battery pack plant.[129] LG Chem's U.S. subsidiary, Compact Power of Troy, Michigan, has been building the prototype packs for the development vehicles and will continue to provide integration support and act as a liaison for the program.[202] in April 2021, after being criticized for not advertising enough in black-owned businesses, General Motors said that it will spend 2% of 2021's advertising budget in Black-owned media and 4% in 2022 until reaching 8% in 2025.[203] In April 2021, GM announced a joint venture with LG, to build a $2.3 billion plant to build batteries for electric vehicles.[204] In November 2021, GM acquired a 25% stake in Pure Watercraft, a producer of all-electric boats.[205] General Motors has launched the largest investment project in its home state of Michigan, announcing plans to invest $7 billion to convert a plant to produce electric cars and build a new battery plant.[206][207] Besides that General Motors has announced investment of $154 million into its Western New York Lockport Components plant.[208][209] Other international history China For the Chinese market, most of its cars are manufactured within China. Shanghai GM, a joint venture with the Chinese company SAIC Motor, was created with Canadian Regal in 1990 on March 25, 1997. The Shanghai GM plant was officially opened on December 15, 1998, when the first Chinese-built Buick came off the assembly line. The SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile joint-venture is also selling microvans under the Wuling brand (34% owned by GM). Buick is strong in China from early introduction by the Canadian Buick sold to the last Emperor of China, later being led by the Buick Regal 1990 subcompact. The last emperor of China owned a Buick.[210] The Cadillac brand was introduced in China in 2004, starting with exports to China. GM pushed the marketing of the Chevrolet brand in China in the mid-2000s as well. As part of this push, GM transferred Buick Sail to that brand as an attempt to appeal to Chinese middle-class buyers looking for small and affordable cars.[211] In August 2009, FAW-GM, a joint venture between GM and FAW Group that mainly produced FAW Jiefang light-duty trucks, was formed.[212] GM left the joint venture in 2019, and the Jiefang brand is now wholly owned by FAW.[213] In 2011, GM opened an auto research center as part of a US250 million corporate campus in Shanghai to develop gasoline-hybrid cars, electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles, engines, and new technologies.[214] A second phase opened in 2012.[215] SAIC-GM-Wuling established the low-cost Baojun brand to better compete with domestic rivals, Chery Automobile, Geely Automobile and BYD Auto for first-time buyers of cars priced around US$10,000.[216] Japan GM maintains a dealership presence in Japan, called GM Chevrolet Shop, previously known as GM Auto World Shop.[217] Current GM Japan dealerships were either former Saturn dealerships or Isuzu dealership locations. GM products are also currently sold by the company Yanase Co., Ltd. since 1915.[218] Indonesia In August 2011, GM announced plans to build a $150 million 190,300 square-foot plant in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, which would produce 40,000 passenger cars per year for the Southeast Asian market.[219] The plant opened on March 11, 2013.[220] The plant was shut in 2015.[221] GM withdrew from Indonesia in March 2020. However, GM continues to sell the Wuling and Baojun badged vehicles in Indonesia through the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture.[222] South Korea In October 2011, the South Korea free trade agreement opened the South Korean auto market to American made cars.[223] GM owns 77.0% of its joint venture in South Korea, GM Korea, which mainly designs and produces Chevrolet and Holden branded vehicles.[2] In 2011, GM discontinued the Daewoo brand in South Korea and replaced it with the Chevrolet brand.[224] In 2018, the company approached the Korea Development Bank to participate in a $2.7 billion debt swap issued by its Korean subsidiary.[225] In February 2018, General Motors shut one factory in South Korea. The plant was affected by the pullout of the Chevrolet brand from Europe.[226] Uzbekistan In 2008, GM Uzbekistan was established, owned 25% by GM. It produced Ravon, Chevrolet, and Daewoo branded vehicles. This interest was sold to the Government of Uzbekistan in 2019. India In 1928, GM became the first car maker to manufacture cars in India. GM entered the market for the second time in 1996. The older Halol, Gujarat plant with a capacity for 50,000 units stopped production on April 28, 2017, and was sold to MG Motor India. GM continues to manufacture cars for the export market from its Talegaon Dhamdhere, Maharashtra plant, which has a capacity of 160,000 units annually. Thailand GM stopped production of the Chevrolet Sonic in Thailand in mid-2015.[227] In February 2020, GM discontinued the Chevrolet brand in Thailand.[228] GM withdrew from the Thai market and sold its Rayong plant to Great Wall Motors.[229] Egypt GM has a long history in Egypt which began in the 1920s with the assembly of cars and light pickup trucks for the local market. In the mid of the 1950s, GM withdrew from the Egyptian market. Some years later, the Ghabbour Brothers began to assemble Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Buick models up to the 1990s. Since 1983, GM and Al-Monsour Automotive have owned General Motors Egypt, which is currently the only manufacturer of traditional GM branded vehicles in Egypt.[230] Nigeria In the 1920s Miller Brothers Nigeria was founded as an importer of commercial vehicles of the Bedford brand into the country. In 1949, the company opened its own assembly plant and operated under the name Niger/Nigeria Motors. In 1965 the plant and its distribution network were split into different companies and renamed as Federated Motors Industries. In 1991 the company was taken in by a joint venture between General Motors and UACN of Nigeria.[citation needed] Tunisia In 1982, GM formed Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines, which built a plant in Kairouan, Tunisia.[231] East Africa Formed in 1975, General Motors East Africa (GMEA) was the largest assembler of commercial vehicles in the region exporting them from Kenya to East and Central African countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda and Burundi. Its facility located in Nairobi assembled a wide range of Isuzu trucks and buses including the popular Isuzu N-Series versatile light commercial vehicle, TF Series pick-ups and Isuzu bus chassis. In addition to assembly, GMEA also marketed the Chevrolet Spark and Optra. In 2017, GM sold its 57.7% stake in General Motors East Africa to Isuzu,[232] and GMEA was renamed Isuzu East Africa Limited.[233] South Africa General Motors began operating in South Africa in 1913 through its wholly owned subsidiary, General Motors South Africa and was a market that briefly had its own local brand, Ranger. Following the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986, GM was forced to divest from South Africa, and GMSA became the independent Delta Motor Corporation. GM purchased a 49% stake in Delta in 1997 following the end of apartheid, and acquired the remaining 51% in 2004, reverting the company to its original name. By 2014, it was targeting the production of 50,000 cars a year but was being hampered by national labor unrest, strikes, and protests.[234] GM exited the South Africa market in 2017, selling its parts business to Isuzu.[235] New Zealand In New Zealand, GM locally assembled Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Pontiac vehicles from 1926, and Vauxhall cars from 1931. After World War II, the local production of Chevrolet and Vauxhalls resumed followed by Pontiac in 1959. In 1954, sales of fully imported Holden vehicles into New Zealand began. New Zealand assembly of Holdens began in 1957 and by the end of the 1960s Holdens replaced all Chevrolets and Pontiacs (both in 1968), and most Vauxhalls. Opel, Bedford, and Isuzu, vehicles were assembled or imported at different times during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. All local General Motors assembly plants in New Zealand closed by 1990. GM New Zealand was renamed Holden New Zealand in 1994.[236] Australia GMSV logo In 1926, GM formed an Australian subsidiary, General Motors (Australia) Limited, which imported, distributed and assembled General Motors products.[237] The bodies were manufactured at an Adelaide-based family business, Holden's Motor Body Builders, which had built up its operations with the help of tariff protection and amicable relations with trade unions.[238] During the Great Depression, Holden's Motor Body Builders collapsed, which allowed General Motors to acquire Holden, becoming General Motors-Holden [GMH] in 1931. In 1948, the first fully manufactured Australian car, the Holden 48-215, was released to great fanfare amongst the Australian public. It was marketed as "Australia's Own" Holden, and became an iconic feature of post-war Australian culture.[239] In 2012, GM established Opel as a niche marque in Australia and began to sell Opel branded cars in Australia. However, in August 2013, less than twelve months later, sales of Opel ceased due to low sales.[240][241] On December 10, 2013, GM announced that Holden would cease manufacturing operations in Australia by the end of 2017.[242][243] In 2020, GM discontinued the Holden brand due to poor reception and sales, shutting the facilities where they were produced. GM continues to export some Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles through a new entity called General Motors Specialty Vehicles.[244][245] Motorsports history Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in the IMSA SportsCar Championship GM participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) from 2004 to 2012,[246] and has also participated in other motorsport championships, including 24 Hours of Le Mans,[247] NASCAR,[248] SCCA[249] and Supercars Championship.[250] GM's engines were successful in the Indy Racing League (IRL) throughout the 1990s, winning many races in the small V8 class. GM has also done much work in the development of electronics for GM auto racing. An unmodified Aurora V8 in the Aerotech, captured 47 world records, including the record for speed endurance in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Recently, the Cadillac V-Series has entered motorsports racing. GM has also designed cars specifically for use in NASCAR auto racing. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the only entry in the series.[251] In the past, the Pontiac Grand Prix,[252] Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Chevrolet Impala, and the Chevrolet SS were also used. GM has won many NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer's championships, including 40 with Chevrolet,[253] the most of any make in NASCAR history, 3 with Oldsmobile, 2 with Buick, and 1 with Pontiac. In 2021, Chevrolet became the first brand to reach 800 wins.[254] In Australia, the Supercars Championship included Holden cars based on the Holden Commodore running a 5.0-litre V8-cylinder engine producing 635 bhp (474 kW). These cars had a top speed of 298 km/h (185 mph) and ran 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The Holden Racing Team, now known as Walkinshaw Andretti United, is the most successful team in Australian touring car history. The drivers' championship was won by the closely linked, now defunct, HSV Dealer Team in 2006 and 2007.[255] Brands Current Origin Brand [256] Founded Began manuf. Joined GM Markets served today  USA BrightDrop 2021 2021 2021 North America  USA Buick 1899 1903 1908 China, North America  USA Cadillac 1902 1902 1909 North America, Middle East, China, Japan, South Korea, Europe  USA Chevrolet 1911 1911 1918 Americas, China, Middle East, CIS, South Korea, Philippines  USA GMC 1912 1912 1919 North America, Middle East  CHN Baojun 2010 2010 2010 China  CHN Wuling 2002 2002 2002 China, Indonesia Former Origin Brand [256] Founded Began manuf. Joined GM Fate Defunct / Sold Notes  CAN Acadian 1962 1962 1962 Discontinued 1971  CAN Beaumont 1966 1966 1966 Discontinued 1969  USA Cartercar 1905 1905 1909 Discontinued 1915  KOR Daewoo 1972 1972 1999 Discontinued 2011 Succeeded by GM Korea  CAN Elmore 1893 1900 1912 Discontinued 1916  USA Ewing 1908 1908 1909 Discontinued 1911  USA Geo 1989 1989 1989 Discontinued 1997  AUS Holden 1856 1908 1926 Discontinued 2020  USA Hummer 1992 1992 1998 Discontinued 2010  USA LeSalle 1927 1927 1927 Discontinued 1940  UK Lotus 1948 1948 1986 Sold to Romano Artioli 1993 Currently owned by Geely  USA Marquette 1909 1909 1909 Discontinued 1931  USA McLaughlin 1907 1907 1918 Discontinued 1942  USA Oakland 1907 1907 1909 Discontinued 1931  USA Oldsmobile 1897 1897 1908 Discontinued 2004  USA Passport 1988 1988 1988 Discontinued 1991  GER Opel 1899 1899 1931 Sold to PSA Group 2017 Currently owned by Stellantis  USA Pontiac 1926 1926 1926 Discontinued 2010  USA Rainier 1905 1905 1909 Discontinued 1911  USA Rapid 1902 1902 1909 Discontinued 1912  USA Reliance 1903 1903 1911 Discontinued 1912  SWE SAAB 1945 1949 2000 Sold to Spyker N.V. 2010 Company defunct in 2016  USA Saturn 1985 1990 1985 Discontinued 2010  USA Scripts-Booth 1913 1913 1916 Discontinued 1923  USA Sheridan 1920 1920 1920 Discontinued 1921  UK Vauxhall 1903 1903 1925 Sold to PSA Group 2017 Currently owned by Stellantis  USA Viking 1929 1929 1929 Discontinued 1930  USA Welch 1901 1901 1910 Discontinued 1911 Financial results Vehicle sales General Motors was the largest global automaker by annual vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years, from 1931 when it overtook Ford Motor Company, until 2008, when it was overtaken by Toyota. This reign was longer than any other automaker, and GM is still among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales.[257] In 2008, the third-largest individual country by sales was Brazil with some 550,000 GM vehicles sold. In that year Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela sold another 300,000 GM vehicles, suggesting that the total GM sales in South America (including sales in other South American countries such as Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc.) in that year were at a similar level to sales in China.[citation needed] In 2009, General Motors sold 6.5 million cars and trucks globally; in 2010, it sold 8.39 million.[258] Sales in China rose 66.9% in 2009 to 1,830,000 vehicles and accounting for 13.4% of the market.[259] In 2010, General Motors ranked second worldwide with 8.5 million vehicles produced.[260] In 2011, GM returned to the first place with 9.025 million units sold worldwide, corresponding to 11.9% market share of the global motor vehicle industry. In 2010, vehicle sales in China by GM rose 28.8% to a record 2,351,610 units.[261] The top two markets in 2011 were China, with 2,547,203 units, and the United States, with 2,503,820 vehicles sold. The Chevrolet brand was the main contributor to GM performance, with 4.76 million vehicles sold around the world in 2011, a global sales record.[262] Based on global sales in 2012, General Motors was ranked among the world's largest automakers.[263] In May 2012, GM recorded an 18.4% market share in the U.S. with stock imported.[264] Annual worldwide sales volume reached 10 million vehicles in 2016.[265][266][267] Sales in India for April 2016 – March 2017 declined to 25,823 units from 32,540 the previous year and market share contracted from 1.17% to 0.85% for the same period. However, exports surged 89% during the same period to 70,969 units. GMTC-I, GM's technical center in Bangalore, India continued in operation. Weak product line-up and below par service quality were the reasons for the poor showing by GM in India that year.[268][269] Global Volt/Ampera family sales totaled about 177,000 units from its inception in December 2010 through 2018.[270] including over 10,000 Opel/Vauxhall Amperas sold in Europe up to December 2015.[271][272] The Volt family of vehicles ranked as the world's all-time top-selling plug-in hybrid as of September 2018, and it is also the third best selling plug-in electric car in history after the Nissan Leaf (375,000) and the Tesla Model S (253,000), as of October 2018.[270] The Chevrolet Volt is also the U.S. all-time top-selling plug-in electric car with 148,556 units delivered through October 2018.[273][274] GM worldwide 2008 vehicle sales[275] (thousands) Rank in GM Location Vehicle sales Market share (%) 1 United States 2,981 22.1% 2 China 1,095 12.0% 3 Brazil 549 19.5% 4 United Kingdom 384 15.4% 5 Canada 359 21.4% 6 Russia 338 11.1% 7 Germany 300 8.8% 8 Mexico 212 19.8% 9 Australia 133 13.1% 10 South Korea 117 9.7% 11 France 114 4.4% 12 Spain 107 7.8% 13 Argentina 95 15.5% 14 Venezuela 91 33.3% 15 Colombia 80 36.3% 16 India 66 3.3% Year U.S. sales (vehicles) Chg/yr. 1998[276] 4,603,991 1999 5,017,150 Increase9.0% 2000[277] 4,953,163 Decrease1.3% 2001 4,904,015 Decrease1.0% 2002 4,858,705 Decrease0.9% 2003 4,756,403 Decrease2.1% 2004[278] 4,707,416 Decrease1.0% 2005 4,517,730 Decrease4.0% 2006[279] 4,124,645 Decrease8.7% 2007[280] 3,866,620 Decrease6.3% 2008[281] 2,980,688 Decrease22.9% 2009[282] 2,084,492 Decrease30.1% 2010[283] 2,215,227 Increase6.3% 2011[284] 2,503,820 Increase13.7% 2012 2,595,717 Increase3.7% 2013[285] 2,786,078 Increase7.3% 2014[286] 2,935,008 Increase5.3% 2015[287] 3,082,366 Increase5.0% 2016 3,042,773 Decrease1.3% 2017 3,002,241 Decrease1.3% 2018 2,954,037 Decrease1.5% 2019 2,887,046[288] Decrease2.3% 2020 2,547,339[289] Decrease11.8% GM worldwide 2019 vehicle sales[290] Location Total sales Year-On-Year change Year-On-Year change (%) GM North America 3,367,374 (122,740) (3.5) GM Europe 3,590 (266) (6.9) GM South America 668,842 (21,355) (3.1) GM International 584,520 28,033 5.0 China 3,093,604 (551,440) (15.1) Total 7,717,930 (667,768) (8.0) Management Current board of directors Notable members of the board of directors of the company are as follows:[2] Mary Barra, Chairman and CEO of General Motors Joseph Ashton, former Vice President of the International Union at United Automobile Workers Linda Gooden, former Vice President of Information Systems and Global Solutions at Lockheed Martin Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis Jane Mendillo, former President and CEO at Harvard Management Company Michael Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James Mulva, former CEO, President, and Chairman at ConocoPhillips Patricia Russo, CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Thomas Schoewe, former CFO of Wal-Mart Stores Theodore Solso, former CEO and Chairman of Cummins Carol Stephenson, former dean at Ivey Business School Chairmen of the Board of General Motors Thomas Neal—November 19, 1912 – November 16, 1915 Pierre S. du Pont—November 16, 1915 – February 7, 1929 Lammot du Pont II—February 7, 1929 – May 3, 1937 Alfred P. Sloan Jr.—May 3, 1937 – April 2, 1956 Albert Bradley—April 2, 1956 – August 31, 1958 Frederic G. Donner—September 1, 1958 – October 31, 1967 James M. Roche—November 1, 1967 – December 31, 1971 Richard C. Gerstenberg—January 1, 1972 – November 30, 1974 Thomas A. Murphy—December 1, 1974 – December 31, 1980 Roger B. Smith—January 1, 1981 – July 31, 1990 Robert C. Stempel—August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992 John G. Smale—November 2, 1992 – December 31, 1995 John F. Smith Jr.—January 1, 1996 – April 30, 2003 Rick Wagoner—May 1, 2003 – March 30, 2009 Kent Kresa—March 30, 2009 – July 10, 2009 Edward Whitacre Jr.—July 10, 2009 – December 31, 2010 Daniel Akerson—December 31, 2010 – January 15, 2014 Tim Solso—January 15, 2014 – January 4, 2016 Mary Barra—January 4, 2016 – Present Chief Executive Officers of General Motors Chief Executive Officers of General Motors Alfred P. Sloan Jr.—May 10, 1923 – June 3, 1946 Charles Erwin Wilson—June 3, 1946 – January 26, 1953 Harlow H. Curtice—February 2, 1953 – August 31, 1958 James M. Roche—November 1, 1967 – December 31, 1971 Richard C. Gerstenberg—January 1, 1972 – November 30, 1974 Thomas A. Murphy—December 1, 1974 – December 31, 1980 Roger B. Smith—January 1, 1981 – July 31, 1990 Robert C. Stempel—August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992 John F. Smith Jr.—November 2, 1992 – May 31, 2000 Rick Wagoner—June 1, 2000 – March 30, 2009 Frederick Henderson—March 30, 2009 – December 1, 2009 Edward Whitacre Jr.—December 1, 2009 – September 1, 2010 Daniel Akerson—September 1, 2010 – January 15, 2014 Mary Barra—January 15, 2014 – Present Philanthropy GM publishes an annual Social Impact Report detailing its contributions to charity; in 2020 it provided nearly $35 million in funding to 357 U.S.-based nonprofits as well as in-kind assets (primarily donations of vehicles) to nonprofits valued at more than $9.8 million.[291][292] From 1976 until 2017, philanthropic activity was carried out via the General Motors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) foundation.[293] General Motors has a close relationship with the Nature Conservancy and has fundraised for and donated cash and vehicles to the charity.[294] In 1996, GM commissioned five designer-original vehicles, sold in silent auction for Concept: Cure, to benefit the Nina Hyde Center for breast cancer research, founded by Ralph Lauren. The program involved five designers, each lending their artistic talents to customize five different vehicles. Nicole Miller, Richard Tyler, Anna Sui, Todd Oldham, and Mark Eisen were tasked with transforming a Cadillac STS, Buick Riviera, GMC Yukon, Oldsmobile Bravada and Chevrolet Camaro Z28, respectively. The cars were then auctioned with the proceeds presented to the Nina Hyde Center at the Greater LA Auto Show in 1997.[295][296][297][298] Since 1997, GM has been a source of funding for Safe Kids Worldwide's "Safe Kids Buckle Up" program, an initiative to ensure child automobile safety through education and inspection.[299][300] Labor conflicts Flint sit-down strike Main article: Flint sit-down strike Young striker off sentry duty sleeping on the assembly line of auto seats The 1936–1937 Flint sit-down strike against General Motors changed the United Automobile Workers (UAW) from a collection of isolated local unions on the fringes of the industry into a major labor union and led to the unionization of the domestic United States automobile industry. After the first convention of UAW in 1936, the union decided that it could not survive by piecemeal organizing campaigns at smaller plants, as it had in the past, but that it could organize the automobile industry only by going after its biggest and most powerful employer, General Motors Corporation, focusing on GM's production complex in Flint, Michigan. Organizing in Flint was a difficult and dangerous plan. GM controlled city politics in Flint and kept a close eye on outsiders. According to Wyndham Mortimer, the UAW officer put in charge of the organizing campaign in Flint, he received a death threat by an anonymous caller when he visited Flint in 1936. GM also maintained an extensive network of spies throughout its plants. This forced UAW members to keep the names of new members in secret and meeting workers at their homes. As the UAW studied its target, it discovered that GM had only two factories that produced the dies from which car body components were stamped: one in Flint that produced the parts for Buicks, Pontiacs, and Oldsmobiles, and another in Cleveland that produced Chevrolet parts. National Guardsmen with machine guns overlooking Chevrolet factories number nine and number four While the UAW called for a sit-down strike in Flint, the police, armed with guns and tear gas, attempted to enter the Fisher Body 2 plant on January 11, 1937. The strikers inside the plant pelted them with hinges, bottles, and bolts. At the time, Vice President John Nance Garner supported federal intervention to break up the Flint Strike, but this idea was rejected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president urged GM to distinguish a union so the plants could re-open. The strike ended after 44 days. That development forced GM to bargain with the union. John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers and founder and leader of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, spoke for the UAW in those negotiations; UAW President Homer Martin was sent on a speaking tour to keep him out of the way. GM's representatives refused to be in the same room as the UAW's, so Governor Frank Murphy acted as a courier and intermediary between the two groups. Governor Murphy sent in the U.S. National Guard, not to evict the strikers, but rather to protect them from the police and corporate strike-breakers. The two parties finally reached agreement on February 11, 1937, on a one-page agreement that recognized the UAW as the exclusive bargaining representative for GM's employees who were members of the union for the next six months.[301] Tool and die strike of 1939 Main article: Tool and die strike of 1939 The tool and die strike of 1939, also known as the "strategy strike", was an ultimately successful attempt by the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) to be recognized as the sole representative for General Motors workers. In addition to representation rights, the UAW, working jointly with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), sought to resolve existing grievances of skilled workers. United Auto Workers (UAW) strike of 1945–1946 Main article: United Auto Workers (UAW) strike of 1945–1946 From November 21, 1945, until March 13, 1946, (113 days) CIO's United Automobile Workers (UAW), organized "320,000 hourly workers" to form a US-wide strike against the General Motors Corporation, workers used the tactic of the sit down strike.[302] It was "the longest strike against a major manufacturer" that the UAW had yet seen, and it was also "the longest national GM strike in its history".[302] As director of the UAW's General Motors Department (coordinator of union relations with GM),[303] Walter Reuther suggested to his colleagues the idea of striking the GM manufacturing plants with a 'one-at-a-time' strategy, which was "intended to maximize pressure on the target company".[302] Reuther also put forth the demands of the strikers: a 30 percent increase in wages and a hold on product prices. However, the strike ended with the dissatisfaction of Walter Reuther and the UAW, and the workers received only a 17.5-percent increase in wages. 2007 General Motors strike Main article: 2007 General Motors strike The 2007 General Motors strike was a strike from September 24 to 26, 2007, by the United Auto Workers (UAW) against General Motors. On September 24, 2007, General Motors workers represented by the United Auto Workers union went on strike against the company. The first US-wide strike against GM since 1970 was expected to idle 59 plants and facilities for an indefinite period of time. Talks broke down after more than 20 straight days of bargaining failed to produce a new contract. Major issues that proved to be stumbling blocks for an agreement included wages, benefits, job security and investments in US facilities.[304][305][306] Two car assembly plants in Oshawa, Ontario, and a transmission facility in Windsor closed on September 25. However, on September 26, a tentative agreement was reached, and the strike's end was announced by UAW officials in a news conference at 4 a.m.[307] By the following day, all GM workers in both countries were back to work. 2019 General Motors strike Main article: 2019 General Motors strike On the morning of September 15, 2019, after talks broke down to renew their contract, which expired earlier that day, the United Auto Workers announced that GM employees would begin striking at 11:59 PM.[308] This strike shut down operations in nine states, including 33 manufacturing plants and 22 parts distribution warehouses.[309] After 40 days, on October 25, 2019, the "longest strike by autoworkers in a decade", and the longest against GM since 1970, came to an end when United Auto Workers members voted to approve a new contract with GM. The strike cost GM more than $2 billion, while members of the labor union were reduced to a salary of $275 a week in strike pay.[310] Controversies Streetcar conspiracy Main article: General Motors streetcar conspiracy Between 1938 and 1950, GM allegedly deliberately monopolized the sale of buses and supplies to National City Lines (NCL) and its subsidiaries, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, with the intention to dismantle streetcar systems in many cities in the United States and make buses, sold by GM, the dominant form of public transport. Ralph Nader and the Corvair 1961–63 Corvair swing-axle rear suspension Unsafe at Any Speed by Ralph Nader, published in 1965, is a book accusing car manufacturers of being slow to introduce safety features, and reluctant to spend money on improving safety. It relates to the first models of the Chevrolet Corvair (1960–1964) that had a swing axle suspension design which was prone to 'tuck under' in certain circumstances. In substitution for the cost-cutting lack of a front stabilizer bar (anti-roll bar), Corvairs required tire pressures that were outside of the tire manufacturer's recommended tolerances. The Corvair relied on an unusually high front to rear pressure differential (15 psi front, 26 psi rear, when cold; 18 psi and 30 psi hot), and if one inflated the tires equally, as was standard practice for all other cars at the time, the result was dangerous over-steer.[311] In early March 1966, several media outlets, including The New Republic and The New York Times, alleged that GM had tried to discredit Ralph Nader, hiring private detectives to tap his phones and investigate his past, and hiring prostitutes to trap him in compromising situations.[312][313] Nader sued the company for invasion of privacy and settled the case for $425,000. Nader's lawsuit against GM was ultimately decided by the New York Court of Appeals, whose opinion in the case expanded tort law to cover "overzealous surveillance".[314] Nader used the proceeds from the lawsuit to start the pro-consumer Center for Study of Responsive Law. A 1972 safety commission report conducted by Texas A&M University concluded that the 1960–1963 Corvair possessed no greater potential for loss of control than its contemporary competitors in extreme situations.[315] The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a press release in 1972 describing the findings of NHTSA testing from the previous year. NHTSA had conducted a series of comparative tests in 1971 studying the handling of the 1963 Corvair and four contemporary cars — a Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant, Volkswagen Beetle, and Renault Dauphine — along with a second-generation Corvair (with its completely redesigned, independent rear suspension). The 143-page report reviewed NHTSA's extreme-condition handling tests, national crash-involvement data for the cars in the test as well as General Motors' internal documentation regarding the Corvair's handling.[316] NHTSA went on to contract an independent advisory panel of engineers to review the tests. This review panel concluded that 'the 1960–63 Corvair compares favorably with contemporary vehicles used in the tests [...] the handling and stability performance of the 1960–63 Corvair does not result in an abnormal potential for loss of control or rollover, and it is at least as good as the performance of some contemporary vehicles both foreign and domestic'. Former GM executive John DeLorean asserted, in his book On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors, that Nader's criticisms were valid.[317] Journalist David E. Davis noted that despite Nader's claim that swing-axle rear suspension were dangerous, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen all used similar swing-axle concepts during that era.[318] Ignition switch recall Main article: General Motors ignition switch recalls In May 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined the company $35 million for failing to recall cars with faulty ignition switches for a decade, despite knowing there was a problem with the switches. General Motors paid compensation for 124 deaths linked to the faulty switches.[319] The $35 million fine was the maximum the regulator could impose.[320] The total cost of the recall was estimated to be $1.5 billion.[153] As well as the Cobalts, the switches of concern had been installed in many other cars, such as the Pontiac G5, the Saturn Ion, the Chevrolet HHR, the Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice. The recall involved about 2.6 million GM cars worldwide.[321] Xinjiang region In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute accused at least 82 major brands, including General Motors, of being connected to forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.[322] See also flag United States portal flag Michigan portal Cars portal Companies portal History of General Motors Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers ASOTRECOL Crucible Industries EcoCAR General Motors EV1 General Motors Hy-wire General Motors Proving Grounds General Motors streetcar conspiracy General Motors Technical Center GM people GM vehicles by brand List of automobile manufacturers of the United States List of GM engines List of General Motors factories List of GM platforms List of GM transmissions United States Council for Automotive Research VIA Motors Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan.[8][9] At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 81,252,[4] making it the twelfth largest city in Michigan. The Flint metropolitan area is located entirely within Genesee County. It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Michigan with a population of 406,892 in 2020.[10] The city was incorporated in 1855. Flint was founded as a village by fur trader Jacob Smith in 1819 and became a major lumbering area on the historic Saginaw Trail during the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, the city was a leading manufacturer of carriages and later automobiles, earning it the nickname "Vehicle City". General Motors (GM) was founded in Flint in 1908, and the city grew into an automobile manufacturing powerhouse for GM's Buick and Chevrolet divisions, especially after World War II up until the early 1980s recession. Flint was also the home of a sit-down strike in 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers. Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced several crises. The city experienced an economic downturn after GM significantly downsized its workforce in the area from a high of 80,000 in 1978 to under 8,000 by 2010. From 1960 to 2010, the population of the city nearly halved, from 196,940 to 102,434. In the mid-2000s, Flint became known for its comparatively high crime rates and has repeatedly been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States according to crime statistics.[11] The city was under a state of financial emergency from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2015.[12][13] From 2014 to 2019, Flint faced a public health emergency due to lead contamination in parts of the local water supply as well as an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.[14][15] The acute lead crisis has been addressed as the city has secured a new source of clean water, installed modern copper pipes to nearly every home, and distributed filters to all residents who want them. However, a legacy of distrust in public authorities remains.[16] Contents 1 History 1.1 19th century: lumber and the beginnings of the automobile industry 1.2 Early and mid-20th century: the auto industry takes shape 1.3 Late 20th century: deindustrialization and demographic changes 1.4 21st century 1.4.1 First financial emergency: 2002–2004 1.4.2 Redevelopment 1.4.3 Second financial emergency: 2011–2015 1.4.4 Water state of emergency 2 Geography 2.1 Neighborhoods 2.2 Climate 3 Demographics 3.1 2020 census 3.2 2010 Census 4 Government 4.1 Law enforcement 4.2 Politics 5 Sports 5.1 American football 5.2 Basketball 5.3 Ice hockey 5.4 Other sports 5.5 Former sports teams 6 Infrastructure 6.1 Bus lines 6.2 Major highways 6.3 Railroads 6.4 Airports 6.5 Healthcare 7 Education 7.1 Colleges and universities 7.2 Primary and secondary schools 7.3 Libraries 8 Media 8.1 Print 8.2 Television 8.2.1 TV stations 8.3 Radio 8.3.1 AM stations 8.3.2 FM stations 9 Sister cities 10 Books 11 Music 12 Film and television 12.1 Television 12.2 Movies 13 Notable people 14 See also 15 References 16 Further reading 17 External links History The region was home to several Ojibwe tribes at the start of the 19th century, with a particularly significant community established near present-day Montrose. The Flint River had several convenient fords which became points of contention among rival tribes, as attested by the presence of nearby arrowheads and burial mounds. Some of the city currently resides atop ancient Ojibwe burial grounds.[17] 19th century: lumber and the beginnings of the automobile industry In 1819, Jacob Smith, a fur trader on cordial terms with both the local Ojibwe and the territorial government, founded a trading post at the Grand Traverse of the Flint River. On several occasions, Smith negotiated land exchanges with the Ojibwe on behalf of the U.S. government, and he was highly regarded on both sides. Smith apportioned many of his holdings to his children. As the ideal stopover on the overland route between Detroit and Saginaw, Flint grew into a small but prosperous village and incorporated in 1855. The 1860 U.S. census indicated that Genesee County had a population of 22,498 of Michigan's 750,000. In the latter half of the 19th century, Flint became a center of the Michigan lumber industry. Revenue from lumber funded the establishment of a local carriage-making industry. As horse-drawn carriages gave way to the automobiles, Flint then naturally grew into a major player in the nascent auto industry. Buick Motor Company, after a rudimentary start in Detroit, soon moved to Flint. AC Spark Plug originated in Flint. These were followed by several now-defunct automobile marques such as the Dort, Little, Flint, and Mason brands. Chevrolet's first (and for many years, main) manufacturing facility was also in Flint, although the Chevrolet headquarters were in Detroit. For a brief period, all Chevrolets and Buicks were built in Flint. The first Ladies' Library Association in Michigan was started in Flint in 1851 in the home of Maria Smith Stockton, daughter of the founder of the community. This library, initially private, is considered the precursor of the current Flint Public Library.[18] Early and mid-20th century: the auto industry takes shape Main articles: Flint, Michigan auto industry and History of General Motors In 1904, local entrepreneur William C. Durant was brought in to manage Buick, which became the largest manufacturer of automobiles by 1908. In 1908, Durant founded General Motors (GM), filing incorporation papers in New Jersey, with headquarters in Flint. GM moved its headquarters to Detroit in the mid-1920s.[19] Durant lost control of GM twice during his lifetime. On the first occasion, he befriended Louis Chevrolet and founded Chevrolet, which was a runaway success. He used the capital from this success to buy back share control. He later lost decisive control again, permanently. Durant experienced financial ruin in the stock market crash of 1929 and subsequently ran a bowling alley in Flint until the time of his death in 1947. The city's mayors were targeted for recall twice, Mayor David Cuthbertson in 1924 and Mayor William H. McKeighan in 1927. Recall supporters in both cases were jailed by the police. Cuthbertson had angered the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) by the appointment of a Catholic police chief. The KKK led the recall effort and supported Judson Transue, Cutbertson's elected successor. Transue however did not remove the police chief. McKeighan survived his recall only to face conspiracy charges in 1928.[20] McKeighan was under investigation for a multitude of crimes which angered city leaders enough to push for changes in the city charter.[21] In 1928, the city adopted a new city charter with a council-manager form of government. Subsequently, McKeighan ran the "Green Slate" of candidates who won in 1931 and 1932 and he was select as mayor in 1931.[21] In 1935, the city residents approved a charter amendment establishing the Civil Service Commission.[22] For the last century, Flint's history has been dominated by both the auto industry and car culture. During the Sit-Down Strike of 1936–1937, the fledgling United Automobile Workers triumphed over General Motors, inaugurating the era of labor unions. The successful mediation of the strike by Governor Frank Murphy, culminating in a one-page agreement recognizing the Union, began an era of successful organizing by the UAW.[23] The city was a major contributor of tanks and other war machines during World War II due to its extensive manufacturing facilities. For decades, Flint remained politically significant as a major population center as well as for its importance to the automotive industry. A freighter named after the city, the SS City of Flint, was the first US ship to be captured during the Second World War, in October 1939. The vessel was later sunk in 1943.[24] On June 8, 1953, the Flint-Beecher tornado, a large F5 tornado, struck the city, killing 116 people. The city's population peaked in 1960 at almost 200,000, at which time it was the second largest city in the state. The decades of the 1950s and 1960s are seen as the height of Flint's prosperity and influence. They culminated with the establishment of many local institutions, most notably the Flint Cultural Center.[25] This landmark remains one of the city's chief commercial and artistic draws to this day. The city's Bishop International Airport was the busiest in Michigan for United Airlines apart from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, with flights to many destinations in the Mid-West and the Mid-Atlantic.[26] Late 20th century: deindustrialization and demographic changes Since the late 1960s through the end of the 20th century, Flint has suffered from disinvestment, deindustrialization, depopulation and urban decay, as well as high rates of crime, unemployment and poverty. Initially, this took the form of "white flight" that afflicted many urban industrialized American towns and cities. Given Flint's role in the automotive industry, this decline was exacerbated by the 1973 oil crisis with spiking oil prices and the U.S. auto industry's subsequent loss of market share to imports, as Japanese manufacturers were producing cars with better fuel economy.[27] In the 1980s, the rate of deindustrialization accelerated again with local GM employment falling from a 1978 high of 80,000 to under 8,000 by 2010. Only 10% of the manufacturing work force from its height remains in Flint. Many factors have been blamed, including outsourcing, offshoring, increased automation, and moving jobs to non-union facilities in right to work states and foreign countries. This decline was highlighted in the film Roger & Me by Michael Moore (the title refers to Roger B. Smith, the CEO of General Motors during the 1980s). Also highlighted in Moore's documentary was the failure of city officials to reverse the trends with entertainment options (e.g. the now-demolished AutoWorld) during the 1980s. Moore, a native of Davison (a Flint suburb), revisited Flint in his later movies, including Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Fahrenheit 11/9 The demolition site of Buick City, for many years General Motors' flagship factory on the north side. 21st century First financial emergency: 2002–2004 By 2002, Flint had accrued $30 million in debt.[28] On March 5, 2002, the city's voters recalled Mayor Woodrow Stanley. On May 22, Governor John Engler declared a financial emergency in Flint, and on July 8 the state appointed an emergency financial manager,[29] Ed Kurtz. The emergency financial manager displaced the temporary mayor, Darnell Earley, in the city administrator position. In August 2002, city voters elected former Mayor James Rutherford to finish the remainder of Stanley's term of office. On September 24, Kurtz commissioned a salary and wage study for top city officials from an outside accounting and consulting firm. The financial manager then installed a new code enforcement program for annual rental inspections and emergency demolitions. On October 8, Kurtz ordered cuts in pay for the mayor (from $107,000 to $24,000) and the City Council members (from $23,000 to $18,000). He also eliminated insurance benefits for most officials. After spending $245,000 fighting the takeover, the City Council ended the lawsuits on October 14. Immediately thereafter on October 16, a new interim financial plan was put in place by the manager. This plan initiated controls on hiring, overnight travel and spending by city employees. On November 12, Kurtz directed the city's retirement board to stop unusual pension benefits, which had decreased some retiree pensions by 3.5%. Kurtz sought the return of overpayments to the pension fund. However, in December, the state attorney general stated that emergency financial managers do not have authority over the retirement system. With contract talks stalled, Kurtz stated that there either need to be cuts or layoffs to union employees. That same month, the city's recreation centers were temporarily closed.[28] Emergency measures continued in 2003. In May, Kurtz increased water and sewer bills by 11% and shut down operations of the ombudsman's office. In September, a 4% pay cut was agreed to by the city's largest union. In October, Kurtz moved in favor of infrastructure improvements, authorizing $1 million in sewer and road projects. Don Williamson was elected a full-term mayor and sworn in on November 10. In December, city audits reported nearly $14 million in reductions in the city deficit. For the 2003–2004 budget year, estimates decreased that amount to between $6 million and $8 million.[28] With pressure from Kurtz for large layoffs and replacement of the board on February 17, 2004, the City Retirement Board agreed to four proposals reducing the amount of the city's contribution into the system. On March 24, Kurtz indicated that he would raise the City Council's and the mayor's pay, and in May, Kurtz laid off 10 workers as part of 35 job cuts for the 2004–05 budget. In June 2004, Kurtz reported that the financial emergency was over.[28] Redevelopment Renovated First National Bank building in downtown Flint. In November 2013, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, a Birmingham, Alabama based company, became the first to build a production facility in Flint's former Buick City site, purchasing the property from the RACER Trust.[30] Commercially, local organizations have attempted to pool their resources in the central business district and to expand and bolster higher education at four local institutions. Examples of their efforts include the following: Landmarks such as the First National Bank building have been extensively renovated, often to create lofts or office space, and filming for the Will Ferrell movie Semi-Pro resulted in renovations to the Capitol Theatre. The Paterson Building at Saginaw and Third street has been owned by the Collison Family, Thomas W. Collison & Co., Inc., for the last 30 years. The building is rich in Art Deco throughout the interior and exterior. The building also houses its own garage in the lower level, providing heated valet parking to The Paterson Building Tenants. The Paterson Building, 653 S. Saginaw St. In 2004, University Park, the first planned residential community in Flint in over 30 years, was built north of Fifth Avenue off Saginaw Street, Flint's main thoroughfare. Local foundations have funded the renovation and redecoration of Saginaw Street and have begun work turning University Avenue (formerly known as Third Avenue) into a mile-long "University Corridor" connecting University of Michigan–Flint with Kettering University. Atwood Stadium, located on University Avenue, received extensive renovations, and the Cultivating Our Community project landscaped 16 different locations as a part of a $415,600 beautification project. Wade Trim and Rowe Incorporated made major renovations to transform empty downtown Flint blocks into business, entertainment, and housing centers.[31] WNEM-TV, a television station based in Saginaw, uses space in the Wade Trim building facing Saginaw Street as a secondary studio and newsroom.[32] The long-vacant Durant Hotel, formerly owned by the United Hotels Company,[33] was turned into a mixture of commercial space and apartments intended to attract young professionals or college students, with 93 units.[34] In March 2008, the Crim Race Foundation put up an offer to buy the vacant Character Inn and turn it into a fitness center and do a multimillion-dollar renovation.[35] Similar to a plan in Detroit, Flint is in the process of tearing down thousands of abandoned homes to create available real estate. As of June 2009, approximately 1,100 homes have been demolished in Flint, with one official estimating another 3,000 more will have to be torn down.[36] Second financial emergency: 2011–2015 On September 30, 2011, Governor Rick Snyder appointed an eight-member team to review Flint's financial state with a request to report back in 30 days (half the legal time for a review).[37] On November 8, Mayor Dayne Walling defeated challenger Darryl Buchanan 8,819 votes (56%) to 6,868 votes (44%).[38] That same day, the Michigan State review panel declared Flint to be in a state of a "local government financial emergency" recommending the state again appoint an emergency manager.[39] On November 14, the City Council voted 7 to 2 to not appeal the state review with Mayor Walling concurring the next day.[40] Governor Snyder appointed Michael Brown as the city's emergency manager.[41] On December 2, Brown dismissed a number of top administrators. Pay and benefits from Flint's elected officials were automatically removed.[42] On December 8, the office of ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission were eliminated by Brown.[40] On January 16, 2012, protestors against the emergency manager law including Flint residents marched near the governor's home. The next day, Brown filed a financial and operating plan with the state as mandated by law. The next month, each ward in the city had a community engagement meeting hosted by Brown. Governor Snyder on March 7 made a statewide public safety message from Flint City Hall that included help for Flint with plans for reopening the Flint lockup and increasing state police patrols in Flint.[40] On March 20, 2012, days after a lawsuit was filed by labor union AFSCME, and a restraining order was issued against Brown, his appointment was found to be in violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and Mayor Walling and the City Council had their powers returned.[43] The state immediately filed an emergency appeal, claiming the financial emergency still existed.[44] On March 26, the appeal was granted, putting Brown back in power.[45] Brown and several unions agreed to new contract terms in April.[40] Brown unveiled his fiscal year 2013 budget on April 23. It included cuts in nearly every department including police and fire, as well as higher taxes.[46] An Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District was created by Manager Brown in June 2012 for 11 downtown Flint properties. On July 19, the city pension system was transferred to the Municipal Employees Retirement System by the city's retirement board which led to a legal challenge.[40] On August 3, 2012, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the state Board of Canvassers to certify a referendum on Public Act 4, the Emergency Manager Law, for the November ballot. Brown made several actions on August 7 including placing a $6 million public safety millage on the ballot and sold Genesee Towers to a development group for $1 to demolish the structure. The board certified the referendum petition on August 8, returning the previous Emergency Financial Manager Law into effect. With Brown previously temporary mayor for the last few years, he was ineligible to be the Emergency Financial Manager. Ed Kurtz was once again appointed Emergency Financial Manager by the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board.[40] Two lawsuits were filed in September 2012, one by the city council against Kurtz's appointment, while another was against the state in Ingham County Circuit Court claiming the old emergency financial manager law remains repealed.[40] On November 30, State Treasurer Andy Dillon announced the financial emergency was still ongoing, and the emergency manager was still needed.[47] Michael Brown was re-appointed Emergency Manager on June 26, 2013, and returned to work on July 8.[48] Flint had an $11.3 million projected deficit when Brown started as emergency manager in 2011. The city faced a $19.1 million combined deficit from 2012, with plans to borrow $12 million to cover part of it.[12] Brown resigned from his position in early September 2013, and his last day was October 31. He was succeeded by Saginaw city manager (and former Flint temporary mayor) Darnell Earley.[49] Earley formed a blue ribbon committee on governance with 23 members on January 16, 2014 to review city operations and consider possible charter amendments.[50] The blue ribbon committee recommend that the city move to a council-manager government.[51] Six charter amendment proposals were placed on the November 4, 2014, ballot with the charter review commission proposal passing along with reduction of mayoral staff appointments and budgetary amendments. Proposals which would eliminate certain executive departments, the Civil Service Commission and the ombudsman office were defeated.[52] Flint elected a nine-member Charter Review Commission on May 5, 2015.[53] With Earley appointed to be emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools on January 13, 2015, city financial adviser Jerry Ambrose was selected to finish out the financial emergency with an expected exit in April.[54] On April 30, 2015, the state moved the city from under an emergency manager receivership to a Receivership Transition Advisory Board.[55] On November 3, 2015, Flint residents elected Karen Weaver as their first female mayor.[56] On January 22, 2016, the Receivership Transition Advisory Board unanimously voted to return some powers, including appointment authority, to the mayor.[57] The Receivership Transit Authority Board was formally dissolved by State Treasurer Nick Khouri on April 10, 2018, returning the city to local control.[58] Water state of emergency Main article: Flint water crisis In April 2014, Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron (via Detroit) to the Flint River.[59] The problem was compounded with the fact that anticorrosive measures were not implemented. After two independent studies, lead poisoning caused by the water was found in the area's population.[60][61] This has led to several lawsuits, the resignation of several officials, fifteen criminal indictments, and a federal public health state of emergency for all of Genesee County.[62][63][64][65] Geography Downtown Flint looking northwest, taken from a now-demolished skyscraper, the Genesee Towers. The downtown core has seen some improvement in recent years due to an influx of younger people, college students, and new restaurants and bars. Flint lies in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan. Flint and Genesee County can be categorized as a subregion of Flint/Tri-Cities. It is located along the Flint River, which flows through Lapeer, Genesee, and Saginaw counties and is 78.3 mi (126.0 km) long.[66] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.06 square miles (88.21 km2), of which, 33.42 square miles (86.56 km2) is land and 0.64 square miles (1.66 km2) is water.[67] Flint lies just to the northeast of the Flint hills. The terrain is low and rolling along the south and east sides, and flatter to the northwest. Destinations from Flint Neighborhoods Flint has several neighborhoods grouped around the center of the city on the four cardinal sides. The downtown business district is centered on Saginaw Street south of the Flint River. Just west, on opposite sides of the river, are Carriage Town (north) and the Grand Traverse Street District (south). Both neighborhoods boast strong neighborhood associations. These neighborhoods were the center of manufacturing for and profits from the nation's carriage industry until the 1920s and are the site of many well-preserved Victorian homes and the setting of Atwood Stadium. The University Avenue corridor of Carriage Town is home to the largest concentration of Greek housing in the area, with fraternity houses from both Kettering University, and the University of Michigan-Flint. Chapter houses include Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Delta Chi, Theta Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Xi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, and Delta Tau Delta Fraternities. Just north of downtown is River Village, an example of gentrification via mixed-income public housing. To the east of I-475 is Central Park and Fairfield Village. These are the only two neighborhoods between UM-Flint and Mott Community College and enjoy strong neighborhood associations. Central Park piloted a project to convert street lights to LED and is defined by seven cul-de-sacs. Hall's Flats on the West Side is one of Flint's many neighborhoods. The North Side and 5th Ward are predominantly African American, with such historic districts as Buick City and Civic Park on the north, and Sugar Hill, Floral Park, and Kent and Elm Parks on the south. Many of these neighborhoods were the original centers of early Michigan blues. The South Side in particular was also a center for multi-racial migration from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Deep South since World War II. These neighborhoods are most often lower income but have maintained some level of economic stratification. The East Side is the site of the Applewood Mott Estate, and Mott Community College, the Cultural Center, and East Village, one of Flint's more prosperous areas. The surrounding neighborhood is called the College/Cultural Neighborhood, with a strong neighborhood association, lower crime rate and stable housing prices. Just north is Eastside Proper, also known as the State Streets, and has much of Flint's Hispanic community.[68] The West Side includes the main site of the 1936–37 sit-down strike, the Mott Park neighborhood, Kettering University, and the historic Woodcroft Estates, owned in the past by legendary automotive executives and current home to prominent and historic Flint families such as the Motts, the Manleys, and the Smiths. Facilities associated with General Motors in the past and present are scattered throughout the city, including GM Truck and Bus, Flint Metal Center and Powertrain South (clustered together on the city's southwestern corner); Powertrain North, Flint Tool and Die and Delphi East. The largest plant, Buick City, and adjacent facilities have been demolished. The now-demolished Genesee Towers (left), and Mott Foundation Building (right). The Flint Journal's former headquarters (now used by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine) is to the far left. Half of Flint's fourteen tallest buildings were built during the 1920s. The 19-story Genesee Towers, formerly the city's tallest building, was completed in 1968.[69] The building became unused in later years and fell into severe disrepair: a cautionary sign warning of falling debris was put on the sidewalk in front of it. An investment company purchased the building for $1, and it was demolished (by implosion) on December 22, 2013. Climate Typical of southeastern Michigan, Flint has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), and is part of USDA Hardiness zone 6a.[70] Winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 52 days annually, while dropping to 0 °F (−18 °C) or below on an average 9.3 days a year; summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) on 9.0 days.[71] The monthly daily mean temperature ranges from 23.0 °F (−5.0 °C) in January to 70.9 °F (21.6 °C) in July. Official temperature extremes range from 108 °F (42 °C) on July 8 and 13, 1936 down to −25 °F (−32 °C) on January 18, 1976 and February 20, 2015; the record low maximum is −4 °F (−20 °C) on January 18, 1994, while, conversely the record high minimum is 79 °F (26 °C) on July 18, 1942.[71] Decades may pass between readings of 100 °F (38 °C) or higher, which last occurred July 17, 2012. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 8 thru May 7, allowing a growing season of 153 days.[71] On June 8, 1953, Flint was hit by an F5 tornado, which claimed 116 lives.[72] Precipitation is moderate and somewhat evenly-distributed throughout the year, although the warmer months average more, averaging 31.97 inches (812 mm) annually, but historically ranging from 18.08 in (459 mm) in 1963 to 45.38 in (1,153 mm) in 1975.[71] Snowfall, which typically falls in measurable amounts between November 12 through April 9 (occasionally in October and very rarely in May),[71] averages 52.1 inches (132 cm) per year, although historically ranging from 16.0 in (41 cm) in 1944–45 to 85.3 in (217 cm) in 2017–18.[71] A snow depth of 1 in (2.5 cm) or more occurs on an average 64 days, with 53 days from December to February.[73] Climate data for Flint, Michigan (Bishop Int'l), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1921–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 65 (18) 68 (20) 86 (30) 88 (31) 93 (34) 104 (40) 108 (42) 103 (39) 100 (38) 89 (32) 79 (26) 70 (21) 108 (42) Mean maximum °F (°C) 52 (11) 53 (12) 68 (20) 78 (26) 86 (30) 92 (33) 93 (34) 92 (33) 88 (31) 79 (26) 66 (19) 55 (13) 95 (35) Average high °F (°C) 29.9 (−1.2) 32.8 (0.4) 43.3 (6.3) 56.7 (13.7) 68.9 (20.5) 78.2 (25.7) 82.1 (27.8) 79.9 (26.6) 73.1 (22.8) 60.1 (15.6) 46.6 (8.1) 34.9 (1.6) 57.2 (14.0) Daily mean °F (°C) 23.0 (−5.0) 24.7 (−4.1) 34.2 (1.2) 46.0 (7.8) 57.4 (14.1) 67.1 (19.5) 70.9 (21.6) 69.1 (20.6) 61.7 (16.5) 50.2 (10.1) 38.8 (3.8) 28.7 (−1.8) 47.6 (8.7) Average low °F (°C) 16.0 (−8.9) 16.7 (−8.5) 25.1 (−3.8) 35.3 (1.8) 46.0 (7.8) 55.9 (13.3) 59.7 (15.4) 58.3 (14.6) 50.4 (10.2) 40.3 (4.6) 31.0 (−0.6) 22.5 (−5.3) 38.1 (3.4) Mean minimum °F (°C) −6 (−21) −4 (−20) 5 (−15) 21 (−6) 32 (0) 41 (5) 47 (8) 46 (8) 35 (2) 26 (−3) 15 (−9) 4 (−16) −10 (−23) Record low °F (°C) −25 (−32) −25 (−32) −16 (−27) 6 (−14) 22 (−6) 33 (1) 40 (4) 37 (3) 26 (−3) 19 (−7) −7 (−22) −18 (−28) −25 (−32) Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.99 (51) 1.68 (43) 1.97 (50) 3.13 (80) 3.68 (93) 3.12 (79) 3.41 (87) 3.16 (80) 2.90 (74) 2.77 (70) 2.27 (58) 1.89 (48) 31.97 (812) Average snowfall inches (cm) 15.1 (38) 13.0 (33) 6.6 (17) 2.4 (6.1) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.3 (0.76) 3.3 (8.4) 11.4 (29) 52.1 (132) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 14.2 10.9 11.0 12.7 12.1 10.8 9.5 10.0 9.6 11.8 11.6 13.8 138.0 Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 13.3 10.7 6.2 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 3.6 10.3 46.8 Average relative humidity (%) 75.3 73.1 70.3 65.8 65.5 68.4 69.6 73.3 75.6 73.2 75.6 77.4 71.9 Source: NOAA (relative humidity 1961–1990)[71][73][74] Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1850 1,670 — 1860 2,950 76.6% 1870 5,386 82.6% 1880 8,409 56.1% 1890 9,803 16.6% 1900 13,103 33.7% 1910 38,550 194.2% 1920 91,599 137.6% 1930 156,492 70.8% 1940 151,543 −3.2% 1950 163,143 7.7% 1960 196,940 20.7% 1970 193,317 −1.8% 1980 159,611 −17.4% 1990 140,761 −11.8% 2000 124,943 −11.2% 2010 102,434 −18.0% 2020 81,252 −20.7% 2021 (est.) 80,628 [5] −0.8% U.S. Decennial Census[75] 2020 Census[4] 2020 census Flint city, Michigan - Demographic Profile (NH = Non-Hispanic) Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[76] Pop 2020[77] % 2010 % 2020 White alone (NH) 36,537 26,372 35.67% 32.46% Black or African American alone (NH) 57,451 45,293 56.09% 55.74% Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 455 302 0.44% 0.37% Asian alone (NH) 450 404 0.44% 0.50% Pacific Islander alone (NH) 14 25 0.01% 0.03% Some Other Race alone (NH) 140 424 0.14% 0.52% Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 3,411 4,476 3.33% 5.51% Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,976 3,956 3.88% 4.87% Total 102,434 81,252 100.00% 100.00% Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. 2010 Census As of the census of 2010, there were 102,434 people, 40,472 households, and 23,949 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,065.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,183.4/km2). There were 51,321 housing units at an average density of 1,535.6 per square mile (592.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.6% African American, 37.4% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.[78] Non-Hispanic Whites were 35.7% of the population in 2010,[78] compared to 70.1% in 1970.[79] There were 40,472 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.1% were married couples living together, 29.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age in the city was 33.6 years. 27.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. In 2016, Niraj Warikoo of the Detroit Free Press stated that area community leaders stated that the Hispanic and Latino people made up close to 6% of the city population, while the city also had 142 Arab-American families.[68] According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, slightly over 1% of Flint's population was born outside the U.S., and over three-quarters of that foreign-born population have become naturalized citizens.[80] Government Main article: Government of Flint, Michigan See also: Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan The city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents.[81] The 1974 Charter is the city's current charter that gives the city a strong mayor form of government. It also instituted the appointed independent office of Ombudsman, while the city clerk is solely appointed by the city council. The city council is composed of members elected from the city's nine wards.[82] A Charter Review Commission is currently impaneled to review the charter for a complete overhaul.[53] The city operated under state-led financial receivership from April 30, 2015 to April 10, 2018, which saw the city under an Emergency Manager as the State of Michigan had declared a state of local government financial emergency.[55] The Receivership Transition Advisory Board had the authority to override council decisions related to financial matters.[58][83] The city has operated under at least four charters (1855,[84] 1888,[85] 1929, 1974).[82] Law enforcement Main article: Crime in Flint, Michigan A Flint police vehicle Law enforcement in Flint is the responsibility of the Flint Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and the Michigan State Police. Flint has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States by multiple sources.[86][87][88][89] From 2007 to 2009, violent crime in Flint was ranked in the top five among U.S. cities with a population of at least 50,000 people.[90] From 2010 to 2012, Flint ranked as the city with the highest violent crime rate among cities with over 100,000 population.[91] In 2015, CQ Press (using FBI statistics) ranked the crime index for Flint as 7th-highest in cities with population greater than 75,000.[92] In 2018, the FBI reported Flint was ranked as America's sixth most violent city among those with population of 50,000 or more in 2017. Violent crimes were up 23% compared to 2016 according to the report.[93] Politics Most politicians are affiliated with the Democratic party despite the city's elections being nonpartisan.[82] In 2006, Flint was the 10th most liberal city in the United States, according to a nationwide study by the non-partisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research, which examined the voting patterns of 237 cities with a population over 100,000.[94] The city elected Karen Weaver as its first female mayor in 2015.[95] She was succeeded in 2020 by Sheldon Neeley.[96] Sports Club Sport League Venue Flint City Bucks Soccer USL League 2 Atwood Stadium Flint Rogues Rugby Club Rugby Michigan Rugby Football Union Longway Park Flint Fury Football Midwest Elite Football Alliance Flint Hamady High School Flint United Men's Basketball The Basketball League Dort Financial Center Flint Monarchs Women's basketball Women's American Basketball[97] Dort Financial Center Flint Firebirds Hockey Ontario Hockey League Dort Financial Center Flint City Handball Club Club Team Handball TBD Berston Fieldhouse American football There is semi-pro football at Atwood Stadium with the Flint Fury. Atwood is an 11,000+ seat stadium in downtown Flint which has hosted many events, including baseball. When artificial turf was installed, it was no longer able to host baseball games.[why?] The Flint Fury have been in action since 2003, and are currently a part of the Great Lakes Football League. The team was founded by two of its players; Charles Lawler and Prince Goodson, who both played for the defunct Flint Falcons semi-pro team. The team is now solely owned by Lawler. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, born and raised in Grand Blanc, attended his final year of high school at Flint Southwestern Academy. He won the Heisman with 1304 total votes. Ingram attended the University of Alabama and is their first Heisman winner. He was a member of the National Champion 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Basketball Many Flint natives have played basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA), NCAA Division 1 or European professional basketball. NBA champion Glen Rice, Eddie Robinson and three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma all hail from Flint,[98] as do Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell (four of the five starters from Michigan State University's "Flintstones" 2000 National Championship team). Local teacher and independent film maker Marcus Davenport chronicles Flint's ties to basketball and the basketball culture in his documentary Flint Star: The Motion Picture.[99][100] Will Ferrell's 2008 movie Semi-Pro is based on the fictional basketball team the "Flint Tropics".[101] Ice hockey On January 14, 2015, the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers were relocated to Flint after a sale of the team to the owner of Perani Arena for the 2015–16 season.[102] The team changed its name to the Flint Firebirds. Other sports Flint is twinned with Hamilton, Ontario, and its amateur athletes compete in the CANUSA Games, held alternatively there and here since 1957. Former sports teams Club Sport League Venue Infrastructure Bus lines The city of Flint is served by various bus lines. For travel within and around the city, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) provides local bus services. Indian Trails provides inter-city bus service north to Saint Ignace, through Bay City and south to Pontiac, Southfield and Detroit, and runs services west to Chicago. MTA's main hub is in Downtown Flint, while the Indian Trails station is co-located at the Flint Amtrak station on Dort Highway, just north of I-69. Major highways  I-69 runs east and west through Flint.  I-75 / US 23 runs north and south through the southwestern part of the city near the General Motors Flint Assembly complex and Bishop International Airport.  I-475 runs north and south through Flint.  M-21 (also known as Corunna Road and Court Street) runs nearly due east and west through Flint, west of I-475  M-54, also known as Dort Highway after Flint automotive pioneer Josiah Dallas Dort, runs north and south through the eastern part of the city. Railroads See also: Flint station (Michigan) Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service on the Blue Water line from Chicago to Port Huron at the border to Canada. The Amtrak station is located on Dort Highway, just north of I-69. The station was built in 1989 and replaced an earlier Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) station closer to downtown. Canadian National Railway (GTW's successor) and Lake State Railway provide freight service to Flint, with CN operating from Bristol Yard on the western side of the city and LSRC operating from the former CSX Transportation McGrew Yard to the north. While CSX ceded control of their former Saginaw Subdivision north of Plymouth to LSRC in 2019, they continue to operate trackage rights trains over CN from Flint to Port Huron several times per week as of 2020.[104] Into the late 1940s, the Pere Marquette Railway operated daily passenger trains through a separate station 1 1/4 miles away, with trains heading north to Saginaw and Bay City and south to Detroit's Fort Street Union Depot.[105] Airports Flint is served by three passenger and two cargo airlines at Bishop International Airport.[106] It is located on Bristol Road between I-75 and I-69. Dalton Airport, a public use airport near Flushing, also serves small, privately owned planes. Price's Airport in Linden serves the same purpose. A Stat EMS ambulance, one of several private companies that serves the city. Healthcare Hurley Medical Center McLaren Regional Medical Center Flint once had two other full service hospitals: St. Joseph's Hospital and Flint Osteopathic Hospital (FOH). In 1988, HealthSource Group, the parent company of FOH, became affiliated with St. Joseph Health Systems.[107] In 1992, St. Joseph Health Systems changed its name to Genesys Health System and the names of its four hospitals to Genesys Regional Medical Center (GRMC).[107] On February 15, 1997, all the former GHS hospitals were consolidated into one hospital at Genesys Regional Medical Center at Health Park in suburban Grand Blanc Township (now owned by Ascension Health who later changed its name to Ascension Genesys Hospital)[107] and Flint Osteopathic Hospital was razed during the Spring/Summer of 2015.[108] Education Colleges and universities University of Michigan–Flint Kettering University Mott Community College Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Baker College Primary and secondary schools Public K-12 education is provided under the umbrella of the Flint Community Schools. Students attend ten elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school (Flint Southwestern Academy). The city's original high school, Flint Central High School, was closed in 2009 because of a budget deficit and a lack of maintenance on the building by the Flint School District. The building, however, still stands. Flint Northern High School was converted to an alternative education school at the start of the 2013–14 school year and was closed later in 2014.[109] The state-run Michigan School for the Deaf[110] is located in Flint, and Michigan School for the Blind was previously there, having moved from Lansing in 1995.[111] The Catholic high school is Fr. Luke M. Powers Catholic High School which is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing and serves the entire county. The school moved from its location just north of Flint in Mt. Morris Township in 2013 into the former Michigan School for the Deaf building off of Miller Road in Flint, which received a $22 million renovation.[112] The Valley School is a small private K–12 school. Flint also has several charter schools. Libraries The Flint Public Library holds 454,645 books, 22,355 audio materials, 9,453 video materials, and 2,496 serial subscriptions. Media Print The county's largest newspaper is The Flint Journal, which dates back to 1876. Effective June 2009 the paper ceased to be a daily publication, opting to publish on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The move made Genesee County the largest county in the United States without a daily newspaper. The Flint Journal began publishing a Tuesday edition in March 2010.[113] The East Village Magazine is a non-profit news magazine providing information about neighborhood issues since 1976. The monthly magazine centers on the East Village neighborhood, outside downtown Flint, but is distributed throughout the city. The Uncommon Sense was a recent publication featuring critical journalism, satirical cartoons, and articles on music and nightlife, but it ceased publishing in 2007. In January 2009, Broadside[114] became the current independent newspaper, exclusively available in print. In early 2009 Flint Comix & Entertainment began circulating around college campuses, and local businesses. This monthly publication features local and nationally recognized comic artists, as well as editorials, and other news. Two quarterly magazines have appeared in recent years: Innovative Health Magazine[115] and Downtown Flint Revival Magazine.[116] Debuting in 2008, Innovative Health highlights the medical advancements, health services and lifestyles happening in and around Genesee County, while Downtown Flint Revival reports on new developments, building renovations and the many businesses in the Downtown area. A new monthly magazine which began publishing in June 2013 is known as My City Magazine which highlights events, arts and culture in Genesee County.[117] Online news source, FlintBeat.com was launched in 2017 by Flint-area native, Jiquanda Johnson. The hyper local news website focuses on Flint City Hall, solutions journalism and public health in addition to their work covering neighborhoods and telling community stories. University publications include University of Michigan–Flint's student newspaper The Michigan Times, Kettering University's The Technician and the MCC Chronicle, formerly the MCC Post, which is a monthly magazine from Mott Community College. Television WJRT-TV (ABC), formerly one of ten ABC owned-and-operated stations, is currently the only area station to operate from Flint. WSMH (Fox) is licensed to Flint, but its programming originates from outside of Flint proper (the suburb Mt. Morris Township), WEYI (NBC), licensed to Saginaw, and WBSF (The CW), licensed to Bay City, share studios with WSMH. Other stations outside the Flint area that serve the area include Saginaw-based WNEM-TV (CBS) (which has a news bureau in Downtown Flint), Delta College's WDCQ-TV (PBS), and Saginaw's WAQP (TCT). TV stations Call sign Virtual channel Physical channel City of license Network Branding Owner[118] WNEM-TV 5 30 Bay City CBS TV 5 Gray Television WJRT-TV 12 12 Flint ABC ABC 12 Allen Media Broadcasting WCMU-TV 14 26 Mount Pleasant PBS CMU Public Television Central Michigan University WDCQ-TV 19 15 Bad Axe Delta College Public Media Delta College WEYI-TV 25 18 Saginaw NBC NBC 25 Howard Stirk Holdings WBSF 46 23 Bay City The CW CW 46 Cunningham Broadcasting WAQP 49 36 Saginaw TCT TCT Tri-State Christian Television WSMH 66 16 Flint Fox Fox 66 Sinclair Broadcast Group Radio The Flint radio market has a rich history. WAMM-AM 1420 (started in 1955, now gospel station WFLT) on the city's eastside was one of the first stations in the country to program to the black community and was also where legendary DJ Casey Kasem had his first radio job.[119] WTAC-AM 600 (now religious station WSNL) was a highly rated and influential Top 40 station in the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing Michigan artists and being the first in the U.S. to play acts like The Who and AC/DC. WTAC changed its format to country music in 1980 and then became a pioneering contemporary Christian music station a few years later; the calls are now on 89.7 FM, a member of the "Smile FM" network. WTRX-AM 1330 also played Top 40 music for a time in the 1960s and '70s. The city's first radio station, AM 910 WFDF, first went on the air in 1922. It has since relocated south into the Detroit market, changing its city of license to Farmington Hills and increasing its power to 50,000 watts. AM stations Frequency (kHz) Callsign City of license Format Branding Owner 600 WSNL Flint Christian Victory 600 Christian Broadcasting System 1160 WCXI Fenton Talk/Oldies WCXI Birach Broadcasting 1330 WTRX Flint Sports Sports Xtra 1330 Cumulus Media 1420 WFLT Urban Gospel WFLT 1420 Flint Evangelical Broadcasting Association 1470 WFNT News/talk Flint News Talk Townsquare Media 1570 WWCK Classic hits K 107.3 Cumulus Media FM stations Frequency (MHz) Callsign City of license Format Branding Owner 88.9 WKMF Flint Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 89.7 WTAC Burton/Flint Christian Smile FM Superior Communications 91.1 WFUM Flint Public (News/Talk) Michigan Radio University of Michigan 92.1 WFOV-LP Variety (Adult Hits/Talk/Public affairs) Our Voices Radio Flint Odyssey House 92.7 WDZZ Urban Adult Contemporary Z 92.7 Cumulus Media 93.7 WRCL Frankenmuth Rhythmic Contemporary Hits Club 93.7 Townsquare Media 94.3 WKUF-LP Flint College/Variety WKUF 94.3 Kettering University 95.1 WFBE Flint Country B95 Cumulus Media 97.3 W247CG (simulcast of WTAC) Russellville Christian Smile FM Superior Communications 98.9 WOWE Vassar Urban Contemporary 98.9 The Beat Praestantia Broadcasting 100.1 W261BH (simulcast of WKMF) Flint Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 101.5 WWBN Tuscola/Flint Mainstream Rock Banana 101.5 Townsquare Media 102.1 WFAH-LP Flint Variety WFAH 102.1 FM Greater Flint Arts Council 103.1 WQUS Lapeer/Flint Classic rock US 103.1 Townsquare Media 103.9 WRSR Owosso/Flint 103.9 The Fox Krol Communications 104.7 WMRP-LP Mundy Township Positive Country 104.7 WMRP Swartz Creek Radio 105.5 WWCK-FM Flint Mainstream Contemporary Hits CK 105.5 Cumulus Media 106.3 W292DA (simulcast of WKMF) Linden Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 106.5 W293CA (simulcast of WSNL) Flint Christian Victory 600 Christian Broadcasting System 107.3 W297CG (simulcast of WWCK) Classic hits K 107.3 Cumulus Media 107.9 WCRZ Adult Contemporary Cars 108 Townsquare Media Sister cities Flint has four sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International: Changchun, Jilin, China Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[120] Kielce, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia Books The following notable books are set in Flint or relate to the city. Fiction The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Daddy Cool by Donald Goines Non-Fiction Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City by Gordon Young What the Eyes Don't See by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha Hanging On by Edmund G. Love Music A railroad bridge in Flint re-painted to show the name of rock band Grand Funk Railroad, which was formed in the city in 1969. Flint is the subject of the Sufjan Stevens song "Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid)" featured on his album Michigan. Flint is the main focus for music group King 810 crediting it as “Murder Town” and their life growing up during the increase of crime rates during the 2000s. Also creating the songs “Crow's Feet” and “We Gotta Help Ourselves” to raise money toward the current water crisis happening in the city Flint was home to MC Breed, the first commercially successful rapper to come from the Midwest. Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne mentioned its water problems in his song "Poisoning the well" Flint is likely the subject of "Near DT, MI" by the English rock band Black Midi. Film and television The following films and television shows have taken place or were filmed in Flint. Television Nash Bridges (1996-2001 In one of the last episodes of the show the character Michelle jokes to a man soon to be sent to live in Flint through the witness protection program that the city is similar to Paris. The man, from a foreign country, does not realize she is joking and is looking forward to his arrival in Flint. The Fitzpatricks (1977–78) was a short-lived CBS TV drama about an Irish Catholic working-class family living in Flint. The show was filmed in Hollywood, but set in Flint. Also, the families were portrayed as steelworkers, not autoworkers. Flint Town (2018) a Netflix documentary about the struggling urban areas of the city.[121] TV Nation (1994–1995) was the debut TV series by Michael Moore. Numerous segments were filmed in and around Flint, including one where Moore uses declassified information to find the exact impact point from the nuclear ICBM that targeted the city (ground zero was Chevrolet Assembly, one of the General Motors plants at Bluff & Cadillac Streets). Moore then went to Kazakhstan to try to redirect the ICBM away from Flint. The Awful Truth (1999–2000) was Michael Moore's second TV show. It featured segments from Flint. The Flint Police Department has appeared in the 31st season of the reality show Cops, airing in the summer of 2018 and winter of 2019.[122] Flint Police also appeared in a 2015 episode on TNT's Cold Justice: Sex Crimes, which paid to test old rape kits that resulted in convictions of three people for criminal sexual conduct.[123] Movies To Touch a Child (1962) A look into Community Schools, a concept pioneered by Charles Stewart Mott and spread throughout the United States. With Babies and Banners: Story of the Women's Emergency Brigade (1979) Documentary about the women of the Flint Sit-Down Strike. Roger & Me (1989) Michael Moore documentary about the economic depression in the Flint area caused by the closure of several General Motors factories in the late 1980s. Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint (1992) Follow-up of Roger & Me. The Big One (1998) Documentary film Moore urges Nike to consider building a shoe factory in Flint. Moore succeeds in convincing Nike CEO Philip Knight to match his offer to donate money to Buell Elementary School, which would eventually become the locale of the infamous Kayla Rolland shooting. Shattered Faith (2001) Independent (Fifth Sun Productions) written and directed by Flint native Stephen Vincent. Movie was filmed in Flint. Cast was made mostly of Flint residents but did feature Joe Estevez. Vincent's multi-year project debuted September 20, 2001 and was released directly to DVD.[124] Bowling for Columbine (2002) Moore's take on the gun industry also profiles the shooting of Kayla Rolland. Chameleon Street (1990) Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s story of famed con man Douglas Street. Winner of Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The Real Blair Witch (2003) Documentary about group of Flint teenagers kidnapping and terrorizing a fellow student. The Michigan Independent (2004) Documentary film about the Michigan independent music community. Many segments were shot in Flint, particularly at the Flint Local 432. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) Moore takes on the George W. Bush administration. Moore filmed students from Flint Southwestern Academy. Filmed Marine recruiters at Courtland Center and references Genesee Valley Center as a mall for more wealthy citizens, "The rich mall in the suburbs." However, Courtland Center is in Burton, also a Flint suburb. Michael Moore Hates America (2004) Filmmaker Mike Wilson travels to Flint to document small businesses and other development efforts in the city, and compares it to the depictions of the city in Moore's documentaries. Flintown Kids (2005) Documentary film about violence in Flint. Semi-Pro (2008) Will Ferrell movie which centers around a fictitious 1970s ABA basketball team, the Flint Tropics. It was partially filmed in Flint. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) A Michael Moore documentary about the negative impacts capitalism can have on people and communities. The Ides of March (2011) A feature film starring Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. Certain scenes were shot around downtown Flint, near the Capitol Theatre and the alley around it. Minor League (2011) A feature film starring Robert Miano, music artist Bone Crusher, Dustin Diamond, and Brad Leo Lyon. Numerous scenes were shot around Flint, including Atwood Stadium where the story's central Football team played their games. Little Creeps (2012) A feature film starring Joe Estevez, Dustin Diamond and Lark Voorhees of Saved By the Bell fame (Screech and Lisa respectively), Jake the Snake Roberts, Brad Leo Lyon, and Robert Z'Dar. Restaurant and nightclub scenes were shot at locations in Flint. The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963 (2013) A movie about an African-American family who go towards Birmingham, Alabama, during the darkest moments of the civil rights movement, to teach the oldest child of the family that life isn't a joke. First half of the movie was filmed in Flint. Thursday the 12th (2017) A feature film starring Jenna Simms, Brad Leo Lyon, Marilyn Ghigliotti, and Brian Sutherland. Approximately half of this film was shot in Flint, Michigan while the rest of the movie wrapped in Jackson, Michigan and Savannah, Georgia. Don't Drink the Water (2017) A Brad Leo Lyon documentary film about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan and other communities. Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018) Michael Moore takes on the presidential election campaign of 2016, the victory of Donald Trump, the reasons behind the failure of the Democrats to win middle America. The Flint water crisis and the role of both political parties in creating and sustaining the crisis is highlighted. Life in Flint, a 2018 documentary with testimonials from numerous residents about the positive aspects of the city. Notable people See also: List of people from Flint, Michigan See also flag Michigan portal Cities portal Back to the Bricks Citizens Republic Bancorp History of General Motors Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan.[8][9] At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 81,252,[4] making it the twelfth largest city in Michigan. The Flint metropolitan area is located entirely within Genesee County. It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Michigan with a population of 406,892 in 2020.[10] The city was incorporated in 1855. Flint was founded as a village by fur trader Jacob Smith in 1819 and became a major lumbering area on the historic Saginaw Trail during the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, the city was a leading manufacturer of carriages and later automobiles, earning it the nickname "Vehicle City". General Motors (GM) was founded in Flint in 1908, and the city grew into an automobile manufacturing powerhouse for GM's Buick and Chevrolet divisions, especially after World War II up until the early 1980s recession. Flint was also the home of a sit-down strike in 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers. Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced several crises. The city experienced an economic downturn after GM significantly downsized its workforce in the area from a high of 80,000 in 1978 to under 8,000 by 2010. From 1960 to 2010, the population of the city nearly halved, from 196,940 to 102,434. In the mid-2000s, Flint became known for its comparatively high crime rates and has repeatedly been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States according to crime statistics.[11] The city was under a state of financial emergency from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2015.[12][13] From 2014 to 2019, Flint faced a public health emergency due to lead contamination in parts of the local water supply as well as an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.[14][15] The acute lead crisis has been addressed as the city has secured a new source of clean water, installed modern copper pipes to nearly every home, and distributed filters to all residents who want them. However, a legacy of distrust in public authorities remains.[16] Contents 1 History 1.1 19th century: lumber and the beginnings of the automobile industry 1.2 Early and mid-20th century: the auto industry takes shape 1.3 Late 20th century: deindustrialization and demographic changes 1.4 21st century 1.4.1 First financial emergency: 2002–2004 1.4.2 Redevelopment 1.4.3 Second financial emergency: 2011–2015 1.4.4 Water state of emergency 2 Geography 2.1 Neighborhoods 2.2 Climate 3 Demographics 3.1 2020 census 3.2 2010 Census 4 Government 4.1 Law enforcement 4.2 Politics 5 Sports 5.1 American football 5.2 Basketball 5.3 Ice hockey 5.4 Other sports 5.5 Former sports teams 6 Infrastructure 6.1 Bus lines 6.2 Major highways 6.3 Railroads 6.4 Airports 6.5 Healthcare 7 Education 7.1 Colleges and universities 7.2 Primary and secondary schools 7.3 Libraries 8 Media 8.1 Print 8.2 Television 8.2.1 TV stations 8.3 Radio 8.3.1 AM stations 8.3.2 FM stations 9 Sister cities 10 Books 11 Music 12 Film and television 12.1 Television 12.2 Movies 13 Notable people 14 See also 15 References 16 Further reading 17 External links History The region was home to several Ojibwe tribes at the start of the 19th century, with a particularly significant community established near present-day Montrose. The Flint River had several convenient fords which became points of contention among rival tribes, as attested by the presence of nearby arrowheads and burial mounds. Some of the city currently resides atop ancient Ojibwe burial grounds.[17] 19th century: lumber and the beginnings of the automobile industry In 1819, Jacob Smith, a fur trader on cordial terms with both the local Ojibwe and the territorial government, founded a trading post at the Grand Traverse of the Flint River. On several occasions, Smith negotiated land exchanges with the Ojibwe on behalf of the U.S. government, and he was highly regarded on both sides. Smith apportioned many of his holdings to his children. As the ideal stopover on the overland route between Detroit and Saginaw, Flint grew into a small but prosperous village and incorporated in 1855. The 1860 U.S. census indicated that Genesee County had a population of 22,498 of Michigan's 750,000. In the latter half of the 19th century, Flint became a center of the Michigan lumber industry. Revenue from lumber funded the establishment of a local carriage-making industry. As horse-drawn carriages gave way to the automobiles, Flint then naturally grew into a major player in the nascent auto industry. Buick Motor Company, after a rudimentary start in Detroit, soon moved to Flint. AC Spark Plug originated in Flint. These were followed by several now-defunct automobile marques such as the Dort, Little, Flint, and Mason brands. Chevrolet's first (and for many years, main) manufacturing facility was also in Flint, although the Chevrolet headquarters were in Detroit. For a brief period, all Chevrolets and Buicks were built in Flint. The first Ladies' Library Association in Michigan was started in Flint in 1851 in the home of Maria Smith Stockton, daughter of the founder of the community. This library, initially private, is considered the precursor of the current Flint Public Library.[18] Early and mid-20th century: the auto industry takes shape Main articles: Flint, Michigan auto industry and History of General Motors In 1904, local entrepreneur William C. Durant was brought in to manage Buick, which became the largest manufacturer of automobiles by 1908. In 1908, Durant founded General Motors (GM), filing incorporation papers in New Jersey, with headquarters in Flint. GM moved its headquarters to Detroit in the mid-1920s.[19] Durant lost control of GM twice during his lifetime. On the first occasion, he befriended Louis Chevrolet and founded Chevrolet, which was a runaway success. He used the capital from this success to buy back share control. He later lost decisive control again, permanently. Durant experienced financial ruin in the stock market crash of 1929 and subsequently ran a bowling alley in Flint until the time of his death in 1947. The city's mayors were targeted for recall twice, Mayor David Cuthbertson in 1924 and Mayor William H. McKeighan in 1927. Recall supporters in both cases were jailed by the police. Cuthbertson had angered the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) by the appointment of a Catholic police chief. The KKK led the recall effort and supported Judson Transue, Cutbertson's elected successor. Transue however did not remove the police chief. McKeighan survived his recall only to face conspiracy charges in 1928.[20] McKeighan was under investigation for a multitude of crimes which angered city leaders enough to push for changes in the city charter.[21] In 1928, the city adopted a new city charter with a council-manager form of government. Subsequently, McKeighan ran the "Green Slate" of candidates who won in 1931 and 1932 and he was select as mayor in 1931.[21] In 1935, the city residents approved a charter amendment establishing the Civil Service Commission.[22] For the last century, Flint's history has been dominated by both the auto industry and car culture. During the Sit-Down Strike of 1936–1937, the fledgling United Automobile Workers triumphed over General Motors, inaugurating the era of labor unions. The successful mediation of the strike by Governor Frank Murphy, culminating in a one-page agreement recognizing the Union, began an era of successful organizing by the UAW.[23] The city was a major contributor of tanks and other war machines during World War II due to its extensive manufacturing facilities. For decades, Flint remained politically significant as a major population center as well as for its importance to the automotive industry. A freighter named after the city, the SS City of Flint, was the first US ship to be captured during the Second World War, in October 1939. The vessel was later sunk in 1943.[24] On June 8, 1953, the Flint-Beecher tornado, a large F5 tornado, struck the city, killing 116 people. The city's population peaked in 1960 at almost 200,000, at which time it was the second largest city in the state. The decades of the 1950s and 1960s are seen as the height of Flint's prosperity and influence. They culminated with the establishment of many local institutions, most notably the Flint Cultural Center.[25] This landmark remains one of the city's chief commercial and artistic draws to this day. The city's Bishop International Airport was the busiest in Michigan for United Airlines apart from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, with flights to many destinations in the Mid-West and the Mid-Atlantic.[26] Late 20th century: deindustrialization and demographic changes Since the late 1960s through the end of the 20th century, Flint has suffered from disinvestment, deindustrialization, depopulation and urban decay, as well as high rates of crime, unemployment and poverty. Initially, this took the form of "white flight" that afflicted many urban industrialized American towns and cities. Given Flint's role in the automotive industry, this decline was exacerbated by the 1973 oil crisis with spiking oil prices and the U.S. auto industry's subsequent loss of market share to imports, as Japanese manufacturers were producing cars with better fuel economy.[27] In the 1980s, the rate of deindustrialization accelerated again with local GM employment falling from a 1978 high of 80,000 to under 8,000 by 2010. Only 10% of the manufacturing work force from its height remains in Flint. Many factors have been blamed, including outsourcing, offshoring, increased automation, and moving jobs to non-union facilities in right to work states and foreign countries. This decline was highlighted in the film Roger & Me by Michael Moore (the title refers to Roger B. Smith, the CEO of General Motors during the 1980s). Also highlighted in Moore's documentary was the failure of city officials to reverse the trends with entertainment options (e.g. the now-demolished AutoWorld) during the 1980s. Moore, a native of Davison (a Flint suburb), revisited Flint in his later movies, including Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Fahrenheit 11/9 The demolition site of Buick City, for many years General Motors' flagship factory on the north side. 21st century First financial emergency: 2002–2004 By 2002, Flint had accrued $30 million in debt.[28] On March 5, 2002, the city's voters recalled Mayor Woodrow Stanley. On May 22, Governor John Engler declared a financial emergency in Flint, and on July 8 the state appointed an emergency financial manager,[29] Ed Kurtz. The emergency financial manager displaced the temporary mayor, Darnell Earley, in the city administrator position. In August 2002, city voters elected former Mayor James Rutherford to finish the remainder of Stanley's term of office. On September 24, Kurtz commissioned a salary and wage study for top city officials from an outside accounting and consulting firm. The financial manager then installed a new code enforcement program for annual rental inspections and emergency demolitions. On October 8, Kurtz ordered cuts in pay for the mayor (from $107,000 to $24,000) and the City Council members (from $23,000 to $18,000). He also eliminated insurance benefits for most officials. After spending $245,000 fighting the takeover, the City Council ended the lawsuits on October 14. Immediately thereafter on October 16, a new interim financial plan was put in place by the manager. This plan initiated controls on hiring, overnight travel and spending by city employees. On November 12, Kurtz directed the city's retirement board to stop unusual pension benefits, which had decreased some retiree pensions by 3.5%. Kurtz sought the return of overpayments to the pension fund. However, in December, the state attorney general stated that emergency financial managers do not have authority over the retirement system. With contract talks stalled, Kurtz stated that there either need to be cuts or layoffs to union employees. That same month, the city's recreation centers were temporarily closed.[28] Emergency measures continued in 2003. In May, Kurtz increased water and sewer bills by 11% and shut down operations of the ombudsman's office. In September, a 4% pay cut was agreed to by the city's largest union. In October, Kurtz moved in favor of infrastructure improvements, authorizing $1 million in sewer and road projects. Don Williamson was elected a full-term mayor and sworn in on November 10. In December, city audits reported nearly $14 million in reductions in the city deficit. For the 2003–2004 budget year, estimates decreased that amount to between $6 million and $8 million.[28] With pressure from Kurtz for large layoffs and replacement of the board on February 17, 2004, the City Retirement Board agreed to four proposals reducing the amount of the city's contribution into the system. On March 24, Kurtz indicated that he would raise the City Council's and the mayor's pay, and in May, Kurtz laid off 10 workers as part of 35 job cuts for the 2004–05 budget. In June 2004, Kurtz reported that the financial emergency was over.[28] Redevelopment Renovated First National Bank building in downtown Flint. In November 2013, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, a Birmingham, Alabama based company, became the first to build a production facility in Flint's former Buick City site, purchasing the property from the RACER Trust.[30] Commercially, local organizations have attempted to pool their resources in the central business district and to expand and bolster higher education at four local institutions. Examples of their efforts include the following: Landmarks such as the First National Bank building have been extensively renovated, often to create lofts or office space, and filming for the Will Ferrell movie Semi-Pro resulted in renovations to the Capitol Theatre. The Paterson Building at Saginaw and Third street has been owned by the Collison Family, Thomas W. Collison & Co., Inc., for the last 30 years. The building is rich in Art Deco throughout the interior and exterior. The building also houses its own garage in the lower level, providing heated valet parking to The Paterson Building Tenants. The Paterson Building, 653 S. Saginaw St. In 2004, University Park, the first planned residential community in Flint in over 30 years, was built north of Fifth Avenue off Saginaw Street, Flint's main thoroughfare. Local foundations have funded the renovation and redecoration of Saginaw Street and have begun work turning University Avenue (formerly known as Third Avenue) into a mile-long "University Corridor" connecting University of Michigan–Flint with Kettering University. Atwood Stadium, located on University Avenue, received extensive renovations, and the Cultivating Our Community project landscaped 16 different locations as a part of a $415,600 beautification project. Wade Trim and Rowe Incorporated made major renovations to transform empty downtown Flint blocks into business, entertainment, and housing centers.[31] WNEM-TV, a television station based in Saginaw, uses space in the Wade Trim building facing Saginaw Street as a secondary studio and newsroom.[32] The long-vacant Durant Hotel, formerly owned by the United Hotels Company,[33] was turned into a mixture of commercial space and apartments intended to attract young professionals or college students, with 93 units.[34] In March 2008, the Crim Race Foundation put up an offer to buy the vacant Character Inn and turn it into a fitness center and do a multimillion-dollar renovation.[35] Similar to a plan in Detroit, Flint is in the process of tearing down thousands of abandoned homes to create available real estate. As of June 2009, approximately 1,100 homes have been demolished in Flint, with one official estimating another 3,000 more will have to be torn down.[36] Second financial emergency: 2011–2015 On September 30, 2011, Governor Rick Snyder appointed an eight-member team to review Flint's financial state with a request to report back in 30 days (half the legal time for a review).[37] On November 8, Mayor Dayne Walling defeated challenger Darryl Buchanan 8,819 votes (56%) to 6,868 votes (44%).[38] That same day, the Michigan State review panel declared Flint to be in a state of a "local government financial emergency" recommending the state again appoint an emergency manager.[39] On November 14, the City Council voted 7 to 2 to not appeal the state review with Mayor Walling concurring the next day.[40] Governor Snyder appointed Michael Brown as the city's emergency manager.[41] On December 2, Brown dismissed a number of top administrators. Pay and benefits from Flint's elected officials were automatically removed.[42] On December 8, the office of ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission were eliminated by Brown.[40] On January 16, 2012, protestors against the emergency manager law including Flint residents marched near the governor's home. The next day, Brown filed a financial and operating plan with the state as mandated by law. The next month, each ward in the city had a community engagement meeting hosted by Brown. Governor Snyder on March 7 made a statewide public safety message from Flint City Hall that included help for Flint with plans for reopening the Flint lockup and increasing state police patrols in Flint.[40] On March 20, 2012, days after a lawsuit was filed by labor union AFSCME, and a restraining order was issued against Brown, his appointment was found to be in violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and Mayor Walling and the City Council had their powers returned.[43] The state immediately filed an emergency appeal, claiming the financial emergency still existed.[44] On March 26, the appeal was granted, putting Brown back in power.[45] Brown and several unions agreed to new contract terms in April.[40] Brown unveiled his fiscal year 2013 budget on April 23. It included cuts in nearly every department including police and fire, as well as higher taxes.[46] An Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District was created by Manager Brown in June 2012 for 11 downtown Flint properties. On July 19, the city pension system was transferred to the Municipal Employees Retirement System by the city's retirement board which led to a legal challenge.[40] On August 3, 2012, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the state Board of Canvassers to certify a referendum on Public Act 4, the Emergency Manager Law, for the November ballot. Brown made several actions on August 7 including placing a $6 million public safety millage on the ballot and sold Genesee Towers to a development group for $1 to demolish the structure. The board certified the referendum petition on August 8, returning the previous Emergency Financial Manager Law into effect. With Brown previously temporary mayor for the last few years, he was ineligible to be the Emergency Financial Manager. Ed Kurtz was once again appointed Emergency Financial Manager by the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board.[40] Two lawsuits were filed in September 2012, one by the city council against Kurtz's appointment, while another was against the state in Ingham County Circuit Court claiming the old emergency financial manager law remains repealed.[40] On November 30, State Treasurer Andy Dillon announced the financial emergency was still ongoing, and the emergency manager was still needed.[47] Michael Brown was re-appointed Emergency Manager on June 26, 2013, and returned to work on July 8.[48] Flint had an $11.3 million projected deficit when Brown started as emergency manager in 2011. The city faced a $19.1 million combined deficit from 2012, with plans to borrow $12 million to cover part of it.[12] Brown resigned from his position in early September 2013, and his last day was October 31. He was succeeded by Saginaw city manager (and former Flint temporary mayor) Darnell Earley.[49] Earley formed a blue ribbon committee on governance with 23 members on January 16, 2014 to review city operations and consider possible charter amendments.[50] The blue ribbon committee recommend that the city move to a council-manager government.[51] Six charter amendment proposals were placed on the November 4, 2014, ballot with the charter review commission proposal passing along with reduction of mayoral staff appointments and budgetary amendments. Proposals which would eliminate certain executive departments, the Civil Service Commission and the ombudsman office were defeated.[52] Flint elected a nine-member Charter Review Commission on May 5, 2015.[53] With Earley appointed to be emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools on January 13, 2015, city financial adviser Jerry Ambrose was selected to finish out the financial emergency with an expected exit in April.[54] On April 30, 2015, the state moved the city from under an emergency manager receivership to a Receivership Transition Advisory Board.[55] On November 3, 2015, Flint residents elected Karen Weaver as their first female mayor.[56] On January 22, 2016, the Receivership Transition Advisory Board unanimously voted to return some powers, including appointment authority, to the mayor.[57] The Receivership Transit Authority Board was formally dissolved by State Treasurer Nick Khouri on April 10, 2018, returning the city to local control.[58] Water state of emergency Main article: Flint water crisis In April 2014, Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron (via Detroit) to the Flint River.[59] The problem was compounded with the fact that anticorrosive measures were not implemented. After two independent studies, lead poisoning caused by the water was found in the area's population.[60][61] This has led to several lawsuits, the resignation of several officials, fifteen criminal indictments, and a federal public health state of emergency for all of Genesee County.[62][63][64][65] Geography Downtown Flint looking northwest, taken from a now-demolished skyscraper, the Genesee Towers. The downtown core has seen some improvement in recent years due to an influx of younger people, college students, and new restaurants and bars. Flint lies in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan. Flint and Genesee County can be categorized as a subregion of Flint/Tri-Cities. It is located along the Flint River, which flows through Lapeer, Genesee, and Saginaw counties and is 78.3 mi (126.0 km) long.[66] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.06 square miles (88.21 km2), of which, 33.42 square miles (86.56 km2) is land and 0.64 square miles (1.66 km2) is water.[67] Flint lies just to the northeast of the Flint hills. The terrain is low and rolling along the south and east sides, and flatter to the northwest. Destinations from Flint Neighborhoods Flint has several neighborhoods grouped around the center of the city on the four cardinal sides. The downtown business district is centered on Saginaw Street south of the Flint River. Just west, on opposite sides of the river, are Carriage Town (north) and the Grand Traverse Street District (south). Both neighborhoods boast strong neighborhood associations. These neighborhoods were the center of manufacturing for and profits from the nation's carriage industry until the 1920s and are the site of many well-preserved Victorian homes and the setting of Atwood Stadium. The University Avenue corridor of Carriage Town is home to the largest concentration of Greek housing in the area, with fraternity houses from both Kettering University, and the University of Michigan-Flint. Chapter houses include Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Delta Chi, Theta Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Xi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, and Delta Tau Delta Fraternities. Just north of downtown is River Village, an example of gentrification via mixed-income public housing. To the east of I-475 is Central Park and Fairfield Village. These are the only two neighborhoods between UM-Flint and Mott Community College and enjoy strong neighborhood associations. Central Park piloted a project to convert street lights to LED and is defined by seven cul-de-sacs. Hall's Flats on the West Side is one of Flint's many neighborhoods. The North Side and 5th Ward are predominantly African American, with such historic districts as Buick City and Civic Park on the north, and Sugar Hill, Floral Park, and Kent and Elm Parks on the south. Many of these neighborhoods were the original centers of early Michigan blues. The South Side in particular was also a center for multi-racial migration from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Deep South since World War II. These neighborhoods are most often lower income but have maintained some level of economic stratification. The East Side is the site of the Applewood Mott Estate, and Mott Community College, the Cultural Center, and East Village, one of Flint's more prosperous areas. The surrounding neighborhood is called the College/Cultural Neighborhood, with a strong neighborhood association, lower crime rate and stable housing prices. Just north is Eastside Proper, also known as the State Streets, and has much of Flint's Hispanic community.[68] The West Side includes the main site of the 1936–37 sit-down strike, the Mott Park neighborhood, Kettering University, and the historic Woodcroft Estates, owned in the past by legendary automotive executives and current home to prominent and historic Flint families such as the Motts, the Manleys, and the Smiths. Facilities associated with General Motors in the past and present are scattered throughout the city, including GM Truck and Bus, Flint Metal Center and Powertrain South (clustered together on the city's southwestern corner); Powertrain North, Flint Tool and Die and Delphi East. The largest plant, Buick City, and adjacent facilities have been demolished. The now-demolished Genesee Towers (left), and Mott Foundation Building (right). The Flint Journal's former headquarters (now used by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine) is to the far left. Half of Flint's fourteen tallest buildings were built during the 1920s. The 19-story Genesee Towers, formerly the city's tallest building, was completed in 1968.[69] The building became unused in later years and fell into severe disrepair: a cautionary sign warning of falling debris was put on the sidewalk in front of it. An investment company purchased the building for $1, and it was demolished (by implosion) on December 22, 2013. Climate Typical of southeastern Michigan, Flint has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), and is part of USDA Hardiness zone 6a.[70] Winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 52 days annually, while dropping to 0 °F (−18 °C) or below on an average 9.3 days a year; summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) on 9.0 days.[71] The monthly daily mean temperature ranges from 23.0 °F (−5.0 °C) in January to 70.9 °F (21.6 °C) in July. Official temperature extremes range from 108 °F (42 °C) on July 8 and 13, 1936 down to −25 °F (−32 °C) on January 18, 1976 and February 20, 2015; the record low maximum is −4 °F (−20 °C) on January 18, 1994, while, conversely the record high minimum is 79 °F (26 °C) on July 18, 1942.[71] Decades may pass between readings of 100 °F (38 °C) or higher, which last occurred July 17, 2012. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 8 thru May 7, allowing a growing season of 153 days.[71] On June 8, 1953, Flint was hit by an F5 tornado, which claimed 116 lives.[72] Precipitation is moderate and somewhat evenly-distributed throughout the year, although the warmer months average more, averaging 31.97 inches (812 mm) annually, but historically ranging from 18.08 in (459 mm) in 1963 to 45.38 in (1,153 mm) in 1975.[71] Snowfall, which typically falls in measurable amounts between November 12 through April 9 (occasionally in October and very rarely in May),[71] averages 52.1 inches (132 cm) per year, although historically ranging from 16.0 in (41 cm) in 1944–45 to 85.3 in (217 cm) in 2017–18.[71] A snow depth of 1 in (2.5 cm) or more occurs on an average 64 days, with 53 days from December to February.[73] Climate data for Flint, Michigan (Bishop Int'l), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1921–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 65 (18) 68 (20) 86 (30) 88 (31) 93 (34) 104 (40) 108 (42) 103 (39) 100 (38) 89 (32) 79 (26) 70 (21) 108 (42) Mean maximum °F (°C) 52 (11) 53 (12) 68 (20) 78 (26) 86 (30) 92 (33) 93 (34) 92 (33) 88 (31) 79 (26) 66 (19) 55 (13) 95 (35) Average high °F (°C) 29.9 (−1.2) 32.8 (0.4) 43.3 (6.3) 56.7 (13.7) 68.9 (20.5) 78.2 (25.7) 82.1 (27.8) 79.9 (26.6) 73.1 (22.8) 60.1 (15.6) 46.6 (8.1) 34.9 (1.6) 57.2 (14.0) Daily mean °F (°C) 23.0 (−5.0) 24.7 (−4.1) 34.2 (1.2) 46.0 (7.8) 57.4 (14.1) 67.1 (19.5) 70.9 (21.6) 69.1 (20.6) 61.7 (16.5) 50.2 (10.1) 38.8 (3.8) 28.7 (−1.8) 47.6 (8.7) Average low °F (°C) 16.0 (−8.9) 16.7 (−8.5) 25.1 (−3.8) 35.3 (1.8) 46.0 (7.8) 55.9 (13.3) 59.7 (15.4) 58.3 (14.6) 50.4 (10.2) 40.3 (4.6) 31.0 (−0.6) 22.5 (−5.3) 38.1 (3.4) Mean minimum °F (°C) −6 (−21) −4 (−20) 5 (−15) 21 (−6) 32 (0) 41 (5) 47 (8) 46 (8) 35 (2) 26 (−3) 15 (−9) 4 (−16) −10 (−23) Record low °F (°C) −25 (−32) −25 (−32) −16 (−27) 6 (−14) 22 (−6) 33 (1) 40 (4) 37 (3) 26 (−3) 19 (−7) −7 (−22) −18 (−28) −25 (−32) Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.99 (51) 1.68 (43) 1.97 (50) 3.13 (80) 3.68 (93) 3.12 (79) 3.41 (87) 3.16 (80) 2.90 (74) 2.77 (70) 2.27 (58) 1.89 (48) 31.97 (812) Average snowfall inches (cm) 15.1 (38) 13.0 (33) 6.6 (17) 2.4 (6.1) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.3 (0.76) 3.3 (8.4) 11.4 (29) 52.1 (132) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 14.2 10.9 11.0 12.7 12.1 10.8 9.5 10.0 9.6 11.8 11.6 13.8 138.0 Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 13.3 10.7 6.2 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 3.6 10.3 46.8 Average relative humidity (%) 75.3 73.1 70.3 65.8 65.5 68.4 69.6 73.3 75.6 73.2 75.6 77.4 71.9 Source: NOAA (relative humidity 1961–1990)[71][73][74] Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1850 1,670 — 1860 2,950 76.6% 1870 5,386 82.6% 1880 8,409 56.1% 1890 9,803 16.6% 1900 13,103 33.7% 1910 38,550 194.2% 1920 91,599 137.6% 1930 156,492 70.8% 1940 151,543 −3.2% 1950 163,143 7.7% 1960 196,940 20.7% 1970 193,317 −1.8% 1980 159,611 −17.4% 1990 140,761 −11.8% 2000 124,943 −11.2% 2010 102,434 −18.0% 2020 81,252 −20.7% 2021 (est.) 80,628 [5] −0.8% U.S. Decennial Census[75] 2020 Census[4] 2020 census Flint city, Michigan - Demographic Profile (NH = Non-Hispanic) Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[76] Pop 2020[77] % 2010 % 2020 White alone (NH) 36,537 26,372 35.67% 32.46% Black or African American alone (NH) 57,451 45,293 56.09% 55.74% Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 455 302 0.44% 0.37% Asian alone (NH) 450 404 0.44% 0.50% Pacific Islander alone (NH) 14 25 0.01% 0.03% Some Other Race alone (NH) 140 424 0.14% 0.52% Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 3,411 4,476 3.33% 5.51% Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,976 3,956 3.88% 4.87% Total 102,434 81,252 100.00% 100.00% Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. 2010 Census As of the census of 2010, there were 102,434 people, 40,472 households, and 23,949 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,065.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,183.4/km2). There were 51,321 housing units at an average density of 1,535.6 per square mile (592.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.6% African American, 37.4% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.[78] Non-Hispanic Whites were 35.7% of the population in 2010,[78] compared to 70.1% in 1970.[79] There were 40,472 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.1% were married couples living together, 29.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age in the city was 33.6 years. 27.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. In 2016, Niraj Warikoo of the Detroit Free Press stated that area community leaders stated that the Hispanic and Latino people made up close to 6% of the city population, while the city also had 142 Arab-American families.[68] According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, slightly over 1% of Flint's population was born outside the U.S., and over three-quarters of that foreign-born population have become naturalized citizens.[80] Government Main article: Government of Flint, Michigan See also: Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan The city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents.[81] The 1974 Charter is the city's current charter that gives the city a strong mayor form of government. It also instituted the appointed independent office of Ombudsman, while the city clerk is solely appointed by the city council. The city council is composed of members elected from the city's nine wards.[82] A Charter Review Commission is currently impaneled to review the charter for a complete overhaul.[53] The city operated under state-led financial receivership from April 30, 2015 to April 10, 2018, which saw the city under an Emergency Manager as the State of Michigan had declared a state of local government financial emergency.[55] The Receivership Transition Advisory Board had the authority to override council decisions related to financial matters.[58][83] The city has operated under at least four charters (1855,[84] 1888,[85] 1929, 1974).[82] Law enforcement Main article: Crime in Flint, Michigan A Flint police vehicle Law enforcement in Flint is the responsibility of the Flint Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and the Michigan State Police. Flint has been consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States by multiple sources.[86][87][88][89] From 2007 to 2009, violent crime in Flint was ranked in the top five among U.S. cities with a population of at least 50,000 people.[90] From 2010 to 2012, Flint ranked as the city with the highest violent crime rate among cities with over 100,000 population.[91] In 2015, CQ Press (using FBI statistics) ranked the crime index for Flint as 7th-highest in cities with population greater than 75,000.[92] In 2018, the FBI reported Flint was ranked as America's sixth most violent city among those with population of 50,000 or more in 2017. Violent crimes were up 23% compared to 2016 according to the report.[93] Politics Most politicians are affiliated with the Democratic party despite the city's elections being nonpartisan.[82] In 2006, Flint was the 10th most liberal city in the United States, according to a nationwide study by the non-partisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research, which examined the voting patterns of 237 cities with a population over 100,000.[94] The city elected Karen Weaver as its first female mayor in 2015.[95] She was succeeded in 2020 by Sheldon Neeley.[96] Sports Club Sport League Venue Flint City Bucks Soccer USL League 2 Atwood Stadium Flint Rogues Rugby Club Rugby Michigan Rugby Football Union Longway Park Flint Fury Football Midwest Elite Football Alliance Flint Hamady High School Flint United Men's Basketball The Basketball League Dort Financial Center Flint Monarchs Women's basketball Women's American Basketball[97] Dort Financial Center Flint Firebirds Hockey Ontario Hockey League Dort Financial Center Flint City Handball Club Club Team Handball TBD Berston Fieldhouse American football There is semi-pro football at Atwood Stadium with the Flint Fury. Atwood is an 11,000+ seat stadium in downtown Flint which has hosted many events, including baseball. When artificial turf was installed, it was no longer able to host baseball games.[why?] The Flint Fury have been in action since 2003, and are currently a part of the Great Lakes Football League. The team was founded by two of its players; Charles Lawler and Prince Goodson, who both played for the defunct Flint Falcons semi-pro team. The team is now solely owned by Lawler. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, born and raised in Grand Blanc, attended his final year of high school at Flint Southwestern Academy. He won the Heisman with 1304 total votes. Ingram attended the University of Alabama and is their first Heisman winner. He was a member of the National Champion 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Basketball Many Flint natives have played basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA), NCAA Division 1 or European professional basketball. NBA champion Glen Rice, Eddie Robinson and three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma all hail from Flint,[98] as do Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell (four of the five starters from Michigan State University's "Flintstones" 2000 National Championship team). Local teacher and independent film maker Marcus Davenport chronicles Flint's ties to basketball and the basketball culture in his documentary Flint Star: The Motion Picture.[99][100] Will Ferrell's 2008 movie Semi-Pro is based on the fictional basketball team the "Flint Tropics".[101] Ice hockey On January 14, 2015, the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers were relocated to Flint after a sale of the team to the owner of Perani Arena for the 2015–16 season.[102] The team changed its name to the Flint Firebirds. Other sports Flint is twinned with Hamilton, Ontario, and its amateur athletes compete in the CANUSA Games, held alternatively there and here since 1957. Former sports teams Club Sport League Venue Infrastructure Bus lines The city of Flint is served by various bus lines. For travel within and around the city, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) provides local bus services. Indian Trails provides inter-city bus service north to Saint Ignace, through Bay City and south to Pontiac, Southfield and Detroit, and runs services west to Chicago. MTA's main hub is in Downtown Flint, while the Indian Trails station is co-located at the Flint Amtrak station on Dort Highway, just north of I-69. Major highways  I-69 runs east and west through Flint.  I-75 / US 23 runs north and south through the southwestern part of the city near the General Motors Flint Assembly complex and Bishop International Airport.  I-475 runs north and south through Flint.  M-21 (also known as Corunna Road and Court Street) runs nearly due east and west through Flint, west of I-475  M-54, also known as Dort Highway after Flint automotive pioneer Josiah Dallas Dort, runs north and south through the eastern part of the city. Railroads See also: Flint station (Michigan) Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service on the Blue Water line from Chicago to Port Huron at the border to Canada. The Amtrak station is located on Dort Highway, just north of I-69. The station was built in 1989 and replaced an earlier Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) station closer to downtown. Canadian National Railway (GTW's successor) and Lake State Railway provide freight service to Flint, with CN operating from Bristol Yard on the western side of the city and LSRC operating from the former CSX Transportation McGrew Yard to the north. While CSX ceded control of their former Saginaw Subdivision north of Plymouth to LSRC in 2019, they continue to operate trackage rights trains over CN from Flint to Port Huron several times per week as of 2020.[104] Into the late 1940s, the Pere Marquette Railway operated daily passenger trains through a separate station 1 1/4 miles away, with trains heading north to Saginaw and Bay City and south to Detroit's Fort Street Union Depot.[105] Airports Flint is served by three passenger and two cargo airlines at Bishop International Airport.[106] It is located on Bristol Road between I-75 and I-69. Dalton Airport, a public use airport near Flushing, also serves small, privately owned planes. Price's Airport in Linden serves the same purpose. A Stat EMS ambulance, one of several private companies that serves the city. Healthcare Hurley Medical Center McLaren Regional Medical Center Flint once had two other full service hospitals: St. Joseph's Hospital and Flint Osteopathic Hospital (FOH). In 1988, HealthSource Group, the parent company of FOH, became affiliated with St. Joseph Health Systems.[107] In 1992, St. Joseph Health Systems changed its name to Genesys Health System and the names of its four hospitals to Genesys Regional Medical Center (GRMC).[107] On February 15, 1997, all the former GHS hospitals were consolidated into one hospital at Genesys Regional Medical Center at Health Park in suburban Grand Blanc Township (now owned by Ascension Health who later changed its name to Ascension Genesys Hospital)[107] and Flint Osteopathic Hospital was razed during the Spring/Summer of 2015.[108] Education Colleges and universities University of Michigan–Flint Kettering University Mott Community College Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Baker College Primary and secondary schools Public K-12 education is provided under the umbrella of the Flint Community Schools. Students attend ten elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school (Flint Southwestern Academy). The city's original high school, Flint Central High School, was closed in 2009 because of a budget deficit and a lack of maintenance on the building by the Flint School District. The building, however, still stands. Flint Northern High School was converted to an alternative education school at the start of the 2013–14 school year and was closed later in 2014.[109] The state-run Michigan School for the Deaf[110] is located in Flint, and Michigan School for the Blind was previously there, having moved from Lansing in 1995.[111] The Catholic high school is Fr. Luke M. Powers Catholic High School which is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing and serves the entire county. The school moved from its location just north of Flint in Mt. Morris Township in 2013 into the former Michigan School for the Deaf building off of Miller Road in Flint, which received a $22 million renovation.[112] The Valley School is a small private K–12 school. Flint also has several charter schools. Libraries The Flint Public Library holds 454,645 books, 22,355 audio materials, 9,453 video materials, and 2,496 serial subscriptions. Media Print The county's largest newspaper is The Flint Journal, which dates back to 1876. Effective June 2009 the paper ceased to be a daily publication, opting to publish on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The move made Genesee County the largest county in the United States without a daily newspaper. The Flint Journal began publishing a Tuesday edition in March 2010.[113] The East Village Magazine is a non-profit news magazine providing information about neighborhood issues since 1976. The monthly magazine centers on the East Village neighborhood, outside downtown Flint, but is distributed throughout the city. The Uncommon Sense was a recent publication featuring critical journalism, satirical cartoons, and articles on music and nightlife, but it ceased publishing in 2007. In January 2009, Broadside[114] became the current independent newspaper, exclusively available in print. In early 2009 Flint Comix & Entertainment began circulating around college campuses, and local businesses. This monthly publication features local and nationally recognized comic artists, as well as editorials, and other news. Two quarterly magazines have appeared in recent years: Innovative Health Magazine[115] and Downtown Flint Revival Magazine.[116] Debuting in 2008, Innovative Health highlights the medical advancements, health services and lifestyles happening in and around Genesee County, while Downtown Flint Revival reports on new developments, building renovations and the many businesses in the Downtown area. A new monthly magazine which began publishing in June 2013 is known as My City Magazine which highlights events, arts and culture in Genesee County.[117] Online news source, FlintBeat.com was launched in 2017 by Flint-area native, Jiquanda Johnson. The hyper local news website focuses on Flint City Hall, solutions journalism and public health in addition to their work covering neighborhoods and telling community stories. University publications include University of Michigan–Flint's student newspaper The Michigan Times, Kettering University's The Technician and the MCC Chronicle, formerly the MCC Post, which is a monthly magazine from Mott Community College. Television WJRT-TV (ABC), formerly one of ten ABC owned-and-operated stations, is currently the only area station to operate from Flint. WSMH (Fox) is licensed to Flint, but its programming originates from outside of Flint proper (the suburb Mt. Morris Township), WEYI (NBC), licensed to Saginaw, and WBSF (The CW), licensed to Bay City, share studios with WSMH. Other stations outside the Flint area that serve the area include Saginaw-based WNEM-TV (CBS) (which has a news bureau in Downtown Flint), Delta College's WDCQ-TV (PBS), and Saginaw's WAQP (TCT). TV stations Call sign Virtual channel Physical channel City of license Network Branding Owner[118] WNEM-TV 5 30 Bay City CBS TV 5 Gray Television WJRT-TV 12 12 Flint ABC ABC 12 Allen Media Broadcasting WCMU-TV 14 26 Mount Pleasant PBS CMU Public Television Central Michigan University WDCQ-TV 19 15 Bad Axe Delta College Public Media Delta College WEYI-TV 25 18 Saginaw NBC NBC 25 Howard Stirk Holdings WBSF 46 23 Bay City The CW CW 46 Cunningham Broadcasting WAQP 49 36 Saginaw TCT TCT Tri-State Christian Television WSMH 66 16 Flint Fox Fox 66 Sinclair Broadcast Group Radio The Flint radio market has a rich history. WAMM-AM 1420 (started in 1955, now gospel station WFLT) on the city's eastside was one of the first stations in the country to program to the black community and was also where legendary DJ Casey Kasem had his first radio job.[119] WTAC-AM 600 (now religious station WSNL) was a highly rated and influential Top 40 station in the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing Michigan artists and being the first in the U.S. to play acts like The Who and AC/DC. WTAC changed its format to country music in 1980 and then became a pioneering contemporary Christian music station a few years later; the calls are now on 89.7 FM, a member of the "Smile FM" network. WTRX-AM 1330 also played Top 40 music for a time in the 1960s and '70s. The city's first radio station, AM 910 WFDF, first went on the air in 1922. It has since relocated south into the Detroit market, changing its city of license to Farmington Hills and increasing its power to 50,000 watts. AM stations Frequency (kHz) Callsign City of license Format Branding Owner 600 WSNL Flint Christian Victory 600 Christian Broadcasting System 1160 WCXI Fenton Talk/Oldies WCXI Birach Broadcasting 1330 WTRX Flint Sports Sports Xtra 1330 Cumulus Media 1420 WFLT Urban Gospel WFLT 1420 Flint Evangelical Broadcasting Association 1470 WFNT News/talk Flint News Talk Townsquare Media 1570 WWCK Classic hits K 107.3 Cumulus Media FM stations Frequency (MHz) Callsign City of license Format Branding Owner 88.9 WKMF Flint Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 89.7 WTAC Burton/Flint Christian Smile FM Superior Communications 91.1 WFUM Flint Public (News/Talk) Michigan Radio University of Michigan 92.1 WFOV-LP Variety (Adult Hits/Talk/Public affairs) Our Voices Radio Flint Odyssey House 92.7 WDZZ Urban Adult Contemporary Z 92.7 Cumulus Media 93.7 WRCL Frankenmuth Rhythmic Contemporary Hits Club 93.7 Townsquare Media 94.3 WKUF-LP Flint College/Variety WKUF 94.3 Kettering University 95.1 WFBE Flint Country B95 Cumulus Media 97.3 W247CG (simulcast of WTAC) Russellville Christian Smile FM Superior Communications 98.9 WOWE Vassar Urban Contemporary 98.9 The Beat Praestantia Broadcasting 100.1 W261BH (simulcast of WKMF) Flint Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 101.5 WWBN Tuscola/Flint Mainstream Rock Banana 101.5 Townsquare Media 102.1 WFAH-LP Flint Variety WFAH 102.1 FM Greater Flint Arts Council 103.1 WQUS Lapeer/Flint Classic rock US 103.1 Townsquare Media 103.9 WRSR Owosso/Flint 103.9 The Fox Krol Communications 104.7 WMRP-LP Mundy Township Positive Country 104.7 WMRP Swartz Creek Radio 105.5 WWCK-FM Flint Mainstream Contemporary Hits CK 105.5 Cumulus Media 106.3 W292DA (simulcast of WKMF) Linden Contemporary Christian K-Love Educational Media Foundation 106.5 W293CA (simulcast of WSNL) Flint Christian Victory 600 Christian Broadcasting System 107.3 W297CG (simulcast of WWCK) Classic hits K 107.3 Cumulus Media 107.9 WCRZ Adult Contemporary Cars 108 Townsquare Media Sister cities Flint has four sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International: Changchun, Jilin, China Hamilton, Ontario, Canada[120] Kielce, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia Books The following notable books are set in Flint or relate to the city. Fiction The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis Daddy Cool by Donald Goines Non-Fiction Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City by Gordon Young What the Eyes Don't See by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha Hanging On by Edmund G. Love Music A railroad bridge in Flint re-painted to show the name of rock band Grand Funk Railroad, which was formed in the city in 1969. Flint is the subject of the Sufjan Stevens song "Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid)" featured on his album Michigan. Flint is the main focus for music group King 810 crediting it as “Murder Town” and their life growing up during the increase of crime rates during the 2000s. Also creating the songs “Crow's Feet” and “We Gotta Help Ourselves” to raise money toward the current water crisis happening in the city Flint was home to MC Breed, the first commercially successful rapper to come from the Midwest. Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne mentioned its water problems in his song "Poisoning the well" Flint is likely the subject of "Near DT, MI" by the English rock band Black Midi. Film and television The following films and television shows have taken place or were filmed in Flint. Television Nash Bridges (1996-2001 In one of the last episodes of the show the character Michelle jokes to a man soon to be sent to live in Flint through the witness protection program that the city is similar to Paris. The man, from a foreign country, does not realize she is joking and is looking forward to his arrival in Flint. The Fitzpatricks (1977–78) was a short-lived CBS TV drama about an Irish Catholic working-class family living in Flint. The show was filmed in Hollywood, but set in Flint. Also, the families were portrayed as steelworkers, not autoworkers. Flint Town (2018) a Netflix documentary about the struggling urban areas of the city.[121] TV Nation (1994–1995) was the debut TV series by Michael Moore. Numerous segments were filmed in and around Flint, including one where Moore uses declassified information to find the exact impact point from the nuclear ICBM that targeted the city (ground zero was Chevrolet Assembly, one of the General Motors plants at Bluff & Cadillac Streets). Moore then went to Kazakhstan to try to redirect the ICBM away from Flint. The Awful Truth (1999–2000) was Michael Moore's second TV show. It featured segments from Flint. The Flint Police Department has appeared in the 31st season of the reality show Cops, airing in the summer of 2018 and winter of 2019.[122] Flint Police also appeared in a 2015 episode on TNT's Cold Justice: Sex Crimes, which paid to test old rape kits that resulted in convictions of three people for criminal sexual conduct.[123] Movies To Touch a Child (1962) A look into Community Schools, a concept pioneered by Charles Stewart Mott and spread throughout the United States. With Babies and Banners: Story of the Women's Emergency Brigade (1979) Documentary about the women of the Flint Sit-Down Strike. Roger & Me (1989) Michael Moore documentary about the economic depression in the Flint area caused by the closure of several General Motors factories in the late 1980s. Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint (1992) Follow-up of Roger & Me. The Big One (1998) Documentary film Moore urges Nike to consider building a shoe factory in Flint. Moore succeeds in convincing Nike CEO Philip Knight to match his offer to donate money to Buell Elementary School, which would eventually become the locale of the infamous Kayla Rolland shooting. Shattered Faith (2001) Independent (Fifth Sun Productions) written and directed by Flint native Stephen Vincent. Movie was filmed in Flint. Cast was made mostly of Flint residents but did feature Joe Estevez. Vincent's multi-year project debuted September 20, 2001 and was released directly to DVD.[124] Bowling for Columbine (2002) Moore's take on the gun industry also profiles the shooting of Kayla Rolland. Chameleon Street (1990) Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s story of famed con man Douglas Street. Winner of Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The Real Blair Witch (2003) Documentary about group of Flint teenagers kidnapping and terrorizing a fellow student. The Michigan Independent (2004) Documentary film about the Michigan independent music community. Many segments were shot in Flint, particularly at the Flint Local 432. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) Moore takes on the George W. Bush administration. Moore filmed students from Flint Southwestern Academy. Filmed Marine recruiters at Courtland Center and references Genesee Valley Center as a mall for more wealthy citizens, "The rich mall in the suburbs." However, Courtland Center is in Burton, also a Flint suburb. Michael Moore Hates America (2004) Filmmaker Mike Wilson travels to Flint to document small businesses and other development efforts in the city, and compares it to the depictions of the city in Moore's documentaries. Flintown Kids (2005) Documentary film about violence in Flint. Semi-Pro (2008) Will Ferrell movie which centers around a fictitious 1970s ABA basketball team, the Flint Tropics. It was partially filmed in Flint. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) A Michael Moore documentary about the negative impacts capitalism can have on people and communities. The Ides of March (2011) A feature film starring Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. Certain scenes were shot around downtown Flint, near the Capitol Theatre and the alley around it. Minor League (2011) A feature film starring Robert Miano, music artist Bone Crusher, Dustin Diamond, and Brad Leo Lyon. Numerous scenes were shot around Flint, including Atwood Stadium where the story's central Football team played their games. Little Creeps (2012) A feature film starring Joe Estevez, Dustin Diamond and Lark Voorhees of Saved By the Bell fame (Screech and Lisa respectively), Jake the Snake Roberts, Brad Leo Lyon, and Robert Z'Dar. Restaurant and nightclub scenes were shot at locations in Flint. The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963 (2013) A movie about an African-American family who go towards Birmingham, Alabama, during the darkest moments of the civil rights movement, to teach the oldest child of the family that life isn't a joke. First half of the movie was filmed in Flint. Thursday the 12th (2017) A feature film starring Jenna Simms, Brad Leo Lyon, Marilyn Ghigliotti, and Brian Sutherland. Approximately half of this film was shot in Flint, Michigan while the rest of the movie wrapped in Jackson, Michigan and Savannah, Georgia. Don't Drink the Water (2017) A Brad Leo Lyon documentary film about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan and other communities. Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018) Michael Moore takes on the presidential election campaign of 2016, the victory of Donald Trump, the reasons behind the failure of the Democrats to win middle America. The Flint water crisis and the role of both political parties in creating and sustaining the crisis is highlighted. Life in Flint, a 2018 documentary with testimonials from numerous residents about the positive aspects of the city. Notable people See also: List of people from Flint, Michigan See also flag Michigan portal Cities portal Back to the Bricks Citizens Republic Bancorp History of General Motors The history of General Motors (GM), one of the world's largest car and truck manufacturers, dates back more than a century and involves a vast scope of industrial activity around the world, mostly focused on motorized transportation and the engineering and manufacturing that make it possible. Founded in 1908 as a holding company in Flint, Michigan, as of 2012 it employed approximately 209,000 people around the world.[1] With global headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, United States, General Motors manufactures cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million[2] GM cars and trucks were sold globally under various brands. Current auto brands are Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and Wuling. Former GM automotive brands include La Salle, McLaughlin, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall, Daewoo and Holden. In addition to brands selling assembled vehicles, GM also has had various automotive-component and non-automotive brands, many of which it divested in the 1980s through 2000s. These have included Euclid and Terex (earthmoving/construction/mining equipment and vehicles); Electro-Motive Diesel (locomotive, marine, and industrial diesel engines); Detroit Diesel (automotive and industrial diesel engines); Allison (Aircraft engines, transmissions, gas turbine engines); Frigidaire (Appliances including refrigeration and air conditioning); New Departure (bearings); Delco Electronics and ACDelco (electrical and electronic components); GMAC (finance); General Aviation and North American Aviation (airplanes); GM Defense (military vehicles) and Electronic Data Systems (information technology). Contents 1 1908–1929 2 1929–1958 2.1 The 1930s 2.2 World War II 2.3 Post-war growth 3 1958–1980 4 1980–present 4.1 Production of SUVs and trucks vs. cars 4.2 Corporate restructuring and operating losses 4.3 Great Recession and Chapter 11 reorganization 5 History of General Motors in various countries 5.1 General Motors in South Africa 5.2 General Motors in Argentina 6 Corporate spin-offs 6.1 Electronic Data Systems Corporation 6.2 Delco Electronics Corporation 6.3 Hughes Electronics Corporation 6.4 Delphi Corporation 6.5 Diesel engines 6.6 General Motors Acceptance Corporation 7 General Motors leadership 7.1 Chairmen of the Board of General Motors 7.2 Chief Executive Officers of General Motors 7.3 Vice Chairmen of General Motors 7.4 Presidents of General Motors 8 Criticism 8.1 Nazi collaboration 8.2 Great American streetcar scandal theory 8.3 Ralph Nader 8.4 Top-level management 8.5 EV1 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 Bibliography 12.1 Works cited 12.2 Further reading 13 External links 1908–1929 GM's headquarters from 1923 until 1996, a National Historic Landmark, is now Cadillac Place state office building. General Motors was capitalized by William C. Durant on September 16, 1908, as a holding company. The next day it purchased Buick Motor Company, and rapidly acquired more than twenty companies including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Oakland Motor Car Company, and McLaughlin of Canada. Dr. Campbell, Durant's son-in-law, put 1,000,000 shares on the stock market in Chicago Buick (then controlled by Durant). Durant's earlier company, the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, had been in business in Flint since 1886, and by 1900 was producing over 100,000 carriages a year in factories located in Michigan and Canada. Prior to his acquisition of Buick, Durant had several Ford dealerships. With springs, axles and other key components being provided to the early automotive industry by Durant-Dort, it can be reasoned that GM actually began with the founding of Durant-Dort.[3] GM under Durant's leadership acquired Oldsmobile later in 1908. The next year, he brought in Cadillac, Cartercar, Elmore, Ewing, and Oakland. In 1909, General Motors also acquired the Reliance Motor Car Company of Owosso, Michigan, and the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company of Pontiac, Michigan, the predecessors of GMC Truck. A Rapid became the first truck to conquer Pikes Peak in 1909. In 1910, Welch and Rainier were added to the ever-growing list of companies controlled by GM. GM was initially created by combining independent manufacturers who were competing with the Ford Motor Company and vehicles offered before the October 1, 1908 introduction of the Model T. Once the Model T began to dominate the market, independent companies began to combine their resources as corporations and decided to offer what the Model T didn't. The Model T was offered in black because it dried the fastest as it rolled of the assembly line, so GM offered their products in various color combinations; the Model T came with one four-cylinder engine, so GM offered their vehicles with different wheelbases and engine displacements on a gradual scale based on price.[4] Durant lost control of GM in 1910 to a bankers trust as the deal to buy Ford for $8 million fell through, due to the large amount of debt (around $1 million) taken on in its acquisitions, while Samuel McLaughlin left at the same time. Durant was forced out of the firm by the stockholders and co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Company in 1911 with Louis Chevrolet. McLaughlin in 1915 built Chevrolet in Canada and after a stock buyback campaign with the McLaughlin and DuPont corporations, and other Chevrolet stock holders, Durant returned to head GM in 1916, as Chevrolet owned 54.5% with the backing of Pierre S. du Pont. On October 13 of the same year, GM Company incorporated as General Motors Corporation after McLaughlin merged his companies and sold his Chevrolet stock to allow the incorporation, which in turn followed the incorporation of General Motors of Canada[5] (reverting to General Motors Company[6] upon emergence from bankruptcy in 2009 that left General Motors of Canada Limited as a privately owned Canadian Company). Chevrolet entered the General Motors fold in 1918 as it became part of the Corporation with R S McLaughlin as Director and Vice-President of the Corporation; its first GM car was 1918's Chevrolet 490. Du Pont removed Durant from management in 1920, and various Du Pont interests held large or controlling shareholdings until about 1950. In 1918 GM acquired the Chevrolet stock from McLaughlin Motor Car Company of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, manufacturer of the McLaughlin automobile since 1907 (later to be renamed McLaughlin-Buick) as well as Canadian versions of Chevrolet cars since 1915. The company was renamed General Motors of Canada Ltd., with R.S. "Colonel Sam" McLaughlin as its first president and his brother George as vice-president allied with the Corporation 1919.[7] Superior Court of Ontario Canada documents show the Corporation as indirect parent of General Motors of Canada Limited. General Motors of Canada is a 100% owned Canadian Company. 1918 also saw personnel increase at GM. The number of employees grew from about 49,000 workers to 85,000 workers. Many came from the South of the United States, as well as from Europe, to work at GM Michigan facilities. To accommodate them, GM began to build employee housing with the nearly $2.5 million set aside for the project. This would become one of General Motors top 5 expenditures for the year 1919. 1919 also brought changes to employee investment opportunities. Similar to modern-day 401(k) plans, all employees could invest a percentage of their wages or salary. GM proceeded to match every penny that their employees invested.[8] GM's headquarters were located in Flint until the mid-1920s, when they were moved to Detroit. Its building, originally to be called the Durant Building, was designed and began construction in 1919 when Durant was president, was completed in 1923. Alfred P. Sloan became president that year, and the building was officially dedicated as the General Motors Building in 1929.[9] GM maintained this headquarters location, now called Cadillac Place, until it purchased the Renaissance Center in 1996.[10] The Buick Division headquarters remained in Flint until 1998 when it was relocated to the Renaissance Center.[11] In 1920, Durant oversaw the start-up of the Sheridan line of cars, manufactured (from 1920 to 1921) in Muncie, Indiana. The Sheridan nameplate has the distinction of being the first automotive brand started from scratch by General Motors. When Buick's D. A. Burke approached Durant about the idea of designing a car from the ground up, and then marketing the car as a bridge vehicle between GM's established divisions of Chevrolet and Oakland (a four-cylinder), and between Buick and Cadillac (an eight-cylinder), respectively. To market the vehicles, Sheridan hired World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, himself an accomplished automobile racer in his own right. Through prosaic marketing and Rickenbacker's endorsements, Sheridan officials felt the production target of 300 cars a day was not only achievable but profitable as well. Just as production began to ramp up, Durant was fired for the second and final time from General Motors. Since the Sheridan was a Durant pet project, GM, now under Alfred Sloan, was left with Sheridan, one of Durant's more costly but viable caprices. Durant on the other hand knew that the vehicle was soundly engineered and knew what GM paid for the Muncie facility. In May 1921, Durant purchased the rights to the Sheridan and to the Muncie plant, with the intent on using the facility to continue building the Sheridan and Durant's new project, the Durant and Princeton automobiles, now to be built by Durant Motors. In 1925, GM bought Vauxhall of England, and then in 1929 went on to acquire an 80% stake in German automobile manufacturer Opel. Two years later this was increased to 100%. In 1931, GM acquired Holden of Australia. In 1926, GM created the Pontiac as a "companion" to the Oakland brand, an arrangement that lasted five years. The companion outsold its parent during that period, by so much that the Oakland brand was terminated and the division was renamed, Pontiac. As part of General Motors Companion Make Program, three other companion makes (Buick's Marquette, Oldsmobile's Viking, and Cadillac's LaSalle) were created. Each of these, however, had less staying power than Pontiac and was discontinued within a few years, due in large part to the Great Depression.[12] General Motors acquired control of the 'Hertz Drive-Ur-Self System' (now better known as The Hertz Corporation), the Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company together with its subsidiaries, Yellow Coach Manufacturing Company in 1926 from John D. Hertz who joined the mainboard (John Hertz purchased the car rental business back from GM in 1953 and took it public the following year).[13] GM also acquired the Yellow Coach bus company, and helped create Greyhound bus lines.[citation needed] During this period (and into the 30s), Sloan and his team established the practice of targeting each of GM's automotive divisions to a specific demographically and socio-economically identifiable market segment. Despite some shared components, each marque distinguished itself from its stablemates with unique styling and technology. The shared components and common corporate management created substantial economies of scale, while the distinctions between the divisions created (in the words of GM President Sloan) a "ladder of success", with an entry-level buyer starting out at the bottom with the "basic transportation" Chevrolet, then rising through Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and ultimately to Cadillac. While Ford continued to refine the manufacturing process to reduce cost, Sloan was inventing new ways of managing a complex worldwide organization, while paying special attention to consumer demands. Car buyers no longer wanted the cheapest and most basic model; they wanted style, power, and prestige, which GM offered them. Sloan did not neglect cost, by any means; when it was proposed Chevrolet should introduce safety glass, he opposed it because it threatened profits.[14] Thanks to consumer financing via GMAC (founded 1919), easy monthly payments allowed far more people to buy GM cars than Ford, as Henry Ford was opposed to credit on moral principles. (Nevertheless, Ford did offer similar credit arrangements with the introduction of the Model A in the late 1920s but Ford Credit did not exist until 1959.) In 1929, General Motors acquired a 80% majority stake in Opel, making it the first non–American subsidiary of General Motors. 1929–1958 The 1930s GM logo launched in 1938, used until 1964 In 1930, GM entered aircraft design and manufacturing by buying Fokker Aircraft Corp of America (U.S. subsidiary of Fokker) and Berliner-Joyce Aircraft, merging them into General Aviation Manufacturing Corporation. Through a stock exchange GM took controlling interest in North American Aviation and merged it with its General Aviation division in 1933, but retaining the name North American Aviation. In 1948, GM divested NAA as a public company, never to have a major interest in the aircraft manufacturing industry again. GM did, however, establish their own air transportation, with the creation of the General Motors Air Transport Section (GMATS). General Motors bought the internal combustion engined railcar builder Electro-Motive Corporation and its engine supplier Winton Engine in 1930, renaming both as the General Motors Electro-Motive Division. In 1931, after purchasing remaining stake – General Motors took over the full control of Opel, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary, and over the next twenty years, diesel-powered locomotives—the majority built by GM—largely replaced other forms of traction on American railroads. (During World War II, these engines were also important in American submarines and destroyer escorts.) Electro-Motive was sold in early 2005. In 1932, GM formed a new subsidiary—United Cities Motor Transport (UCMT)—to finance the conversion of streetcar systems to buses in small cities. From 1936 the company was involved in an unpublicized project, with others, in what became known as the General Motors streetcar conspiracy to buy out streetcar and intercity train transport operators using subsidiary companies, and convert their operations to use buses.[15] In 1935, the United Auto Workers labor union was formed, and in 1936 the UAW organized the Flint Sit-Down Strike, which initially idled two key plants in Flint, but later spread to half-a-dozen other plants including Janesville, Wisconsin and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In Flint, police attempted to enter the plant to arrest strikers, leading to violence; in other cities the plants were shuttered peacefully. The strike was resolved February 11, 1937, when GM recognized the UAW as the exclusive bargaining representative for its workers. World War II See also: § Nazi collaboration General Motors produced vast quantities of armaments, vehicles, and aircraft for the Allied war effort during World War II. Its multinational interests were split up by the combating powers during the war such that the American, Canadian and British parts of the corporation served the Allied war effort and Adam Opel AG served the Axis war effort. By the spring of 1939, the German Government had assumed day-to-day control of American owned factories in Germany, but decided against nationalizing them completely (seizing the assets and capital). Soon after the war broke out, the nationalization came.[16] General Motors ranked first among United States corporations in the value of wartime production contracts.[17] GM's William S. Knudsen served as head of U.S. wartime production for President Franklin Roosevelt. The General Motors UK division, Vauxhall Motors, manufactured the Churchill tank series for the Allies. The Vauxhall Churchill tanks were instrumental in the UK campaigns in North Africa. Bedford Vehicles and GM of Canada, CMP manufactured 500,000 logistics vehicles for the UK military, all important in the UK's land campaigns. In addition to the obvious manufacture of motor vehicles for the Allied cause, GM was also a major manufacturer of aircraft. By mainstream accounts, General Motors' German subsidiary (Adam Opel AG) was outside the control of the American parent corporation during World War II. Some historians posit that GM profiteered on both sides, but Alfred Sloan's memoir[18] presents a description of lost control. However, GM found criticism for its tax avoidance around the Opel topic. During the war, GM declared it had abandoned its German subsidiary, and took a complete tax write-off worth "approximately $22.7 million", yet after the war, GM collected some $33 million in "war reparations" because the Allies had bombed its German facilities.[19] General Motors Corporations Specimen Stock Certificate Post-war growth At one point GM had become the largest corporation registered in the United States, in terms of its revenues as a percent of GDP. In 1953, Charles Erwin Wilson, then GM president, was named by Eisenhower as Secretary of Defense. When he was asked during the hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee if as secretary of defense he could make a decision adverse to the interests of General Motors, Wilson answered affirmatively but added that he could not conceive of such a situation "because for years I thought what was good for the country was good for General Motors and vice versa". Later this statement was often misquoted, suggesting that Wilson had said simply, "What's good for General Motors is good for the country."[20] At the time, GM was one of the largest employers in the world—only Soviet state industries employed more people. In 1955, General Motors became the first American corporation to pay taxes of over $1 billion.[21] GM operated six divisions at this time, one of which (GMC) only sold trucks. The other five settled into a hierarchy, which consisted, from most- to least-prestigious, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet. 1958–1980 By 1958, the divisional distinctions within GM began to blur with the availability of high-performance engines in Chevrolets and Pontiacs. The introduction of higher trim models such as the Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac Bonneville priced in line with some Oldsmobile and Buick offerings was also confusing to consumers. By the time Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick introduced similarly styled and priced compact models in 1961, the old "step-up" structure between the divisions was nearly over. Earlier in the late 1920s, GM had introduced "junior" brands as a result of the General Motors companion make program as an attempt to bridge the pricing gap between the brands but the overlap and offering eight different brands had a similar confusing effect to consumers and was cancelled by 1930. The decade of the 1960s saw the creation of compact and intermediate classes. The Chevrolet Corvair was a flat 6-cylinder (air cooled) response to the Volkswagen Beetle, the Chevy II was created to match Ford's conventional Falcon, after sales of the Corvair failed to match its Ford rival, and the Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird was GM's countermeasure to the Ford Mustang. Among intermediates, the Oldsmobile Cutlass nameplate became so popular during the 1970s that Oldsmobile applied the Cutlass name to most of its products in the 1980s. By the mid-1960s, most of GM's vehicles were built on a few common platforms and in the 1970s GM began to further unify body panel stampings. The 1971 Chevrolet Vega was GM's launch into the new subcompact class to compete against the import's increasing market share. Problems associated with its innovative aluminum engine led to the model's discontinuation after seven model years in 1977. During the late 1970s, GM would initiate a wave of downsizing starting with the Chevrolet Caprice which was reborn into what was the size of the Chevrolet Chevelle, the Malibu would be the size of the Nova, and the Nova was replaced by the troubled front-wheel drive Chevrolet Citation. In 1976, Chevrolet came out with the rear-wheel drive sub compact Chevette. In 1974, GM was the first major automobile company to offer airbags as optional equipment in a non-experimental, unlimited vehicle capacity. Called the "Air Cushion Restraint System", the safety feature was optional on specific full-size Cadillac, Buick, and Oldsmobile vehicles. The occupant safety system proved an unpopular option and was discontinued after the 1976 model year not to return until the 1990s when federal mandates made the system a requirement. While GM maintained its world leadership in revenue and market share throughout the 1960s to 1980s, it was product controversy that plagued the company in this period. It seemed that, in every decade, a major mass-production product line was launched with defects of one type or another showing up early in their life cycle. And, in each case, improvements were eventually made to mitigate the problems, but the resulting improved product ended up failing in the marketplace as its negative reputation overshadowed its ultimate excellence. The first of these fiascos was the Chevrolet Corvair in the 1960s. Introduced in 1959 as a 1960 model, it was initially very popular. But before long its quirky handling eventually earned it the reputation for being unsafe, inspiring consumer advocate Ralph Nader to lambaste it in his book, Unsafe at Any Speed, published in 1965. Coincidentally, by the same (1965) model year, suspension modifications and other improvements had already transformed the car into a perfectly acceptable vehicle, but its reputation had been sufficiently sullied in the public's perception that its sales declined over the next few years, and it was discontinued after the 1969 model year. During this period, it was also somewhat overwhelmed by the success of the Ford Mustang. The 1970s was the decade of the Vega. Launched as a 1971 model, it also began life as a very popular car in the marketplace. But within a few years, quality problems, exacerbated by labor unrest at its main production source in Lordstown, Ohio, gave the car a bad name. By 1977, its decline resulted in termination of the model name, while its siblings along with a Monza version and a move of production to Ste-Thérèse, Quebec, resulted in a thoroughly desirable vehicle and extended its life to the 1980 model year. Oldsmobile sales soared in the 1970s and 1980s (for an all-time high of 1,066,122 in 1985) based on popular designs, positive reviews from critics and the perceived quality and reliability of the Rocket V8 engine, with the Cutlass series becoming North America's top selling car by 1976. By this time, Olds had displaced Pontiac and Plymouth as the #3 best-selling brand in the U.S. behind Chevrolet and Ford. In the early 1980s, model-year production topped one million units on several occasions, something only Chevrolet and Ford had achieved. The soaring popularity of Oldsmobile vehicles resulted in a major issue in 1977, as demand exceeded production capacity for the Oldsmobile V8, and as a result Oldsmobile quietly began equipping some full size Delta 88 models and the very popular Cutlass/Cutlass Supreme with the Chevrolet 350 engine instead (each division of GM produced its own 350 V8 engine). Many customers were loyal Oldsmobile buyers who specifically wanted the Rocket V8, and did not discover that their vehicle had the Chevrolet engine until they performed maintenance and discovered that purchased parts did not fit. This led to a class-action lawsuit which became a public relations nightmare for GM.[22][23] Following this debacle, disclaimers stating that "Oldsmobiles are equipped with engines produced by various GM divisions" were tacked onto advertisements and sales literature; all other GM divisions followed suit. In addition, GM quickly stopped associating engines with particular divisions, and to this day all GM engines are produced by "GM Powertrain" (GMPT) and are called GM "Corporate" engines instead of GM "Division" engines. Although it was the popularity of the Oldsmobile division vehicles that prompted this change, declining sales of V8 engines would have made this change inevitable as all but the Chevrolet (and, later, Cadillac's Northstar) versions were eventually dropped. In the 1980 model year, a full line of automobiles on the X-body platform, anchored by the Chevrolet Citation, was launched. Again, these cars were all quite popular in their respective segments for the first couple of years, but brake problems, and other defects, ended up giving them, known to the public as "X-Cars", such a bad reputation that the 1985 model year was their last. The J-body cars, namely the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird, took their place, starting with the 1982 model year. Quality was better, but still not exemplary, although good enough to survive through three generations to the 2005 model year. They were produced in a much-improved Lordstown Assembly plant, as were their replacements, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit/G5. 1980–present Roger B. Smith served as CEO throughout the 1980s. GM profits struggled from 1981 to 1983 following the late 1970s and early 1980s recession. In 1981, the UAW negotiated some concessions with the company in order to bridge the recession. GM profits rebounded during the 1980s. During the 1980s, GM had downsized its product line and invested heavily in automated manufacturing. It also created the Saturn brand to produce small cars. GM's customers still wanted larger vehicles and began to purchase greater numbers of SUVs. Roger Smith's reorganization of the company had been criticized for its consolidation of company divisions and its effect on the uniqueness of GM's brands and models. His attempts to streamline costs were not always popular with GM's customer base. In addition to forming Saturn, Smith also negotiated joint ventures with two Japanese companies (NUMMI in California with Toyota, and CAMI with Suzuki in Canada). Each of these agreements provided opportunities for the respective companies to experience different approaches. The 1980s also marked the dismantling of General Motors' medium and heavy trucks, with imported Isuzu trucks taking over at the lighter end and with the heavy-duty business being gradually sold off to Volvo through a joint venture.[24] The decade of the 1990s began with an economic recession, taking its inevitable toll on the automotive industry, and throwing GM into some of its worst losses. As a result, "Jack" Smith (not related to Roger) became burdened with the task of overseeing a radical restructuring of General Motors. Sharing Roger's understanding of the need for serious change, Jack undertook many major revisions. Reorganizing the management structure to dismantle the legacy of Alfred P. Sloan, instituting deep cost-cutting and introducing significantly improved vehicles were the key approaches. These moves were met with much less resistance within GM than had Roger's similar initiatives as GM management ranks were stinging from their recent near-bankruptcy experience and were much more willing to accept the prospect of radical change. Following the first Persian Gulf War and a recession GM's profits again suffered from 1991 to 1993. For the remainder of the decade the company's profits rebounded and it made market share gains with the popularity of its SUVs and pick-up truck lines. Rick Wagoner had served as the company's Chief Financial Officer during this period in the early 1990s. GM's foreign rivals gained market share especially following U.S. recessionary periods while the company recovered. U.S. trade policy and foreign trade barriers became a point of contention for GM and other U.S. automakers who had complained that they were not given equal access to foreign markets. Trade issues had prompted the Reagan administration to seek import quotas on some foreign carmakers. Later, the Clinton administration engaged in trade negotiations to open foreign markets to U.S. automakers with the Clinton administration threatening trade sanctions in efforts to level the playing field for U.S. automakers.[25] José Ignacio López de Arriortúa, who worked under Jack Smith in both Europe (particularly the successful turnaround of Opel) and the United States, was poached by Volkswagen in 1993, just hours before Smith announced that López would be promoted to head of GM's North American operations. He was nicknamed Super López for his prowess in cutting costs and streamlining production at GM, although critics said that his tactics angered longtime suppliers. GM accused López of poaching staff and misappropriating trade secrets, in particular taking documents of future Opel vehicles, when he accepted a position with VW. German investigators began a probe of López and VW after prosecutors linked López to a cache of secret GM documents discovered by investigators in the apartment of two of López's VW associates. G.M. then filed suit in a United States District Court in Detroit, using part of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which left VW open to triple damages (billions of dollars) if the charges were proved in court. VW, faced with a plummeting stock price, eventually forced López to resign.[26] GM and Volkswagen since reached a civil settlement, in which Volkswagen agreed to pay GM $100 million and to buy $1 billion worth of parts from GM.[27][28][29] After GM's lay-offs in Flint, Michigan, a strike began at the General Motors parts factory in Flint on June 5, 1998, which quickly spread to five other assembly plants and lasted seven weeks. Because of the significant role GM plays in the United States, the strikes and temporary idling of many plants noticeably showed in national economic indicators. In the early 1990s, following the first Gulf War and a recession, GM had taken on more debt. By the late 1990s, GM had regained market share; its stock had soared to over $80 a share by 2000, peaking at $93.63 a share on April 28[30] and $50 billion capitalization.[31] However, in 2001, the stock market drop following the September 11, 2001 attacks, combined with historic pension underfunding, caused a severe pension and benefit fund crisis at GM and many other American companies and the value of their pension funds plummeted. Production of SUVs and trucks vs. cars In the late 1990s, the U.S. economy was on the rise and GM and Ford gained market share producing enormous profits primarily from the sale of light trucks and sport-utility vehicles. In 2001, following the September 11th attacks, a severe stock market decline caused a pension and benefit fund underfunding crisis. GM began its Keep America Rolling campaign, which boosted sales, and other auto makers were forced to follow suit. The U.S. automakers saw sales increase to leverage costs as gross margins deteriorated. In 2004, GM redirected resources from the development of new sedans to an accelerated refurbishment of their light trucks and SUVs for introduction as 2007 models in early 2006. Shortly after this decision, fuel prices increased by over 50% and this in turn affected both the trade-in value of used vehicles and the perceived desirability of new offerings in these market segments. The current marketing plan is to tout these revised vehicles extensively as offering the best fuel economy in their class (of vehicle). GM claims its hybrid trucks will have fuel economy improvements of 25%.[citation needed] Corporate restructuring and operating losses See also: List of GM factories Wikinews has related news: U.S. manufacturer General Motors declares bankruptcy After gaining market share in the late 1990s and making enormous profits, General Motors stock soared to over $80 a share. From June 1999 to September 2000, the Federal Reserve, in a move to quell potential inflationary pressures created by, among other things, the stock market, made successive interest rate increases, credited[by whom?] in part for putting the country into a recession. The recession and the volatile stock market created a pension and benefit fund crisis at General Motors and many other American companies. General Motors' rising retiree health care costs and Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) fund deficit prompted the company to enact a broad restructuring plan. Although GM had already taken action to fully fund its pension plan, its OPEB fund became an issue for its corporate bond ratings. GM had expressed its disagreement with the bond ratings; moreover, GM's benefit funds were performing at higher than expected rates of return. In 2003, GM responded to the crisis by fully funding its pension fund with a $15 B payment; however, its Other Post Employment Benefits Fund (OPEB) became a serious issue resulting in downgrades to its bond rating in 2005. Then, following a $10.6 billion loss in 2005, GM acted quickly to implement its restructuring plan. GM began its Keep America Rolling campaign, which boosted sales, and other automakers were forced to follow suit. The U.S. automakers saw sales increase to leverage costs as gross margins deteriorated. For the first quarter of 2006, GM earned $400 million, signaling that a turnaround had already begun even though many aspects of the restructuring plan had not yet taken effect. Although retiree health care costs remain a significant issue, General Motors' investment strategy has generated a $17.1 billion surplus in 2007 in its $101 billion U.S. pension fund portfolio, a $35 billion reversal from its $17.8 billion of underfunding.[32] In February 2005, GM successfully bought itself out of a put option with Fiat for $2 billion USD (€1.55 billion). In 2000, GM had sold a 6% stake to Fiat in return for a 20% share in the Italian automaker. As part of the deal, GM granted Fiat a put option, which, if the option had been exercised between January 2004 and July 2009, could have forced GM to buy Fiat. GM had agreed to the put option at the time, perhaps to keep it from being acquired by another automaker, such as DaimlerChrysler, competing with GM's German subsidiary Opel. The relationship suffered and Fiat had failed to improve. In 2003, Fiat recapitalized, reducing GM's stake to 10%. In 2006, GM had begun to apply the Mark of Excellence, which was actually the GM logo. GM had stopped putting their logo on the cars in 2009, but GM did apply the GM logo on some of the early 2010 GM models. In February 2006, GM slashed its annual dividend from $2.00 to $1.00 per share. The reduction saved $565 million a year. In March 2006, GM divested 92.36 million shares (reducing its stake from 20% to 3%) of Japanese manufacturer Suzuki, in order to raise $2.3 billion. GM originally invested in Suzuki in the early 1980s. On March 23, 2006, a private equity consortium including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Goldman Sachs, and Five Mile Capital purchased 78% of GMAC's (now Ally Financial) commercial mortgage arm, then called Capmark, for $8.8 billion.[33] On April 3, 2006, GM announced that it would sell 51% of GMAC (now Ally Financial) as a whole to a consortium led by Cerberus Capital Management, raising $14 billion over three years. Investors also included Citigroup's private equity arm and Aozora Bank of Japan. The group will pay GM $7.4 billion in cash at closing. GM will retain approximately $20 billion in automobile financing worth an estimated $4 billion over three years. GM sold its remaining 8% stake in Isuzu, which had peaked at 49% just a few years earlier,[34] on April 11, 2006, to raise an additional $300 million.[35] 12,600 workers from Delphi, a key supplier to GM, agreed to buyouts and an early retirement plan offered by GM in order to avoid a strike, after a judge agreed to cancel Delphi's union contracts. 5,000 Delphi workers were allowed to flow to GM. In 2006, GM offered buyouts to hourly workers to reduce future liability; over 35,000 workers responded to the offer, well exceeding the company's goal. GM gained higher rates of return on its benefit funds as a part of the solution. Stock value began to rebound—as of October 30, 2006, GM's market capitalization was about $19.19 billion. GM stock began the year 2006 at $19 a share, near its lowest level since 1982, as many on Wall Street figured the ailing automaker was bound for bankruptcy court. But GM remained afloat and the company's stock in the Dow Jones industrial average posted the biggest percentage gain in 2006.[36] In June 2007, GM sold its military and commercial subsidiary, Allison Transmission, for $5.6 billion. Having sold off the majority, it will, however, keep its heavy-duty transmissions for its trucks marketed as the Allison 1000 series. During negotiations for the renewal of its industry labor contracts in 2007, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union selected General Motors as the "lead company" or "strike target" for pattern bargaining. Late in September, sensing an impending impasse in the talks, the union called a strike, the first nationwide walkout since 1970 (individual plants had experienced local labor disruptions in the interim). Within two days, however, a tentative agreement was achieved and the strike ended. On June 28, 2007, GM agreed to sell its Allison Transmission division to private equity firms Carlyle Group and Onex for $5.1 billion. The deal will increase GM's liquidity and echoes previous moves to shift its focus towards its core automotive business. The two firms will control seven factories around Indianapolis but GM will retain management of a factory in Baltimore. Former Allison Transmission president Lawrence E. Dewey will be the new CEO of the standalone company.[37] Kirk Kerkorian once owned 9.9 percent of GM. According to press accounts from June 30, 2006, Kerkorian suggested that Renault acquire a 20 percent stake in GM to rescue GM from itself. A letter from Tracinda (Kerkorian's investment vehicle) to Rick Wagoner was released to the public[38] to pressure GM's executive hierarchy,[39] but talks failed.[40] On November 22, 2006, Kerkorian sold 14 million shares of his GM stake (it is speculated that this action was due to GM's rejection of Renault and Nissan's bids for stakes in the company as both of these bids were strongly supported by Kerkorian); the sale resulted in GM's share price falling 4.1% from its 20 November price, although it remained above $30/share.[41] The sale lowered Kerkorian's holding to around 7% of GM. On November 30, 2006, Tracinda said it had agreed to sell another 14 million shares of GM, cutting Kerkorian's stake to half of what it had been earlier that year.[42] By the end of November 2006, he had sold substantially all of his remaining GM shares.[43] After Kerkorian sold, GM lost more than 90% of its value, falling as low as $1/share by May 2009.[44] On February 12, 2008, GM announced its operating loss was $2 billion (with a GAAP loss of $39 billion including a one time accounting charge). GM offered buyouts to all its UAW members. On March 24, 2008, GM reported a cash position of $24 billion, or $6 billion less than what was on hand September 31, 2007,[dubious – discuss] which is a loss of $1 billion a month.[45] A further quarterly loss of $15.5 billion, the third-biggest in the company's history, was announced on August 1, 2008.[46] On November 17, 2008, GM announced it would sell its stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. (3.02%) for 22.37 billion yen ($230 million)[47] in order to raise much needed cash to get through the 2008 economic crisis. In 2008, 8.35 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the brands Vauxhall, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, Saturn, Wuling[2] and Opel of Germany. Great Recession and Chapter 11 reorganization Main articles: General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization and Motors Liquidation Company In late 2008 GM, along with Chrysler, received loans from the American, Canadian, and Ontarian governments to bridge the late-2000s recession, record oil prices, and a severe global automotive sales decline (see also automotive industry crisis of 2008–2009) due to the global financial crisis of 2008–2009. On February 20, 2009, GM's Saab division filed for reorganization in a Swedish court after being denied loans from the Swedish government.[48][49] On April 27, 2009, GM announced that it would phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010 and focus on four core brands in North America: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. It announced that the resolution (sale) of its Hummer, Saab, and Saturn brands would take place by the end of 2009. (By November, however, proposed deals to sell Saturn to Penske and Saab to Koenigsegg had failed to materialize.) The company had closeda its Oldsmobile division in 2004. In 2009, GM had renamed itself as General Motors Company, creating its former appellation: General Motors Corporation. On May 30, 2009, it was announced that a deal had been reached to transfer GM's Opel assets to a separate company, majority-owned by a consortium led by Sberbank of Russia (35%), Magna International (20%), and Opel employees (10%). GM was expected to keep a 35% minority stake in the new company.[50] However, GM delayed acceptance of the deal pending other bids, notably a proposed 51% stake by Beijing Automotive. By early July, a decision had not been made, but Magna remained confident and scheduled a meeting for July 14 to announce its acceptance.[51] After months of deliberation, however, GM decided on November 3, 2009, to retain full ownership of the German carmaker Opel, thus voiding the tentative deal with the Magna consortium.[52] In June 2010, the company established General Motors Ventures, a subsidiary designed to help the company identify and develop new technologies in the automotive and transportation sectors.[53] In 2012, PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors formed an alliance, which involved General Motors acquiring seven percent of the PSA Group.[54] The ownership was soon divested on December 13, 2013, generating "gross proceeds of €0.25 billion".[55][56] By 2017, Groupe PSA considered taking over Opel from GM, after GM reported a loss of $257 million from its European operations in 2016, the sixteenth consecutive loss-making year for GM in Europe, bringing its total losses in Europe since 2000 to more than US$15 billion.[57] On March 6, 2017, the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to the PSA Group for $2.3 billion was confirmed.[58] History of General Motors in various countries General Motors in South Africa Main article: General Motors South Africa General Motors was criticized for its presence in apartheid South Africa. The company withdrew after pressure from consumers, stockholders and Leon H. Sullivan.[59] It retained a commercial presence, however, in the form of its Opel subsidiary. Right Hand Drive Opel & Vauxhall production took place in GM's Uitenhage plants outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province, and does so to this day. General Motors in Argentina Main article: General Motors de Argentina In 1925 General Motors settled down in Argentina and started producing the Double Phaeton standard and the Double Phaeton called "Especial Argentino". The production was completed with a sedan model, a roadster and a truck chassis also adaptable to transporting of passengers. Sales increased and soon the Oldsmobile, Oakland and Pontiac brands were incorporated into the assembly line; the capacity of the facility was not enough to supply the increasing demand and the building of a new plant was required. A new 48,000 m2 plant with a covered area was opened in 1929, and since then the Buick, Marquette, La Salle, Cadillac, Vauxhaul and Opel marques also started to be produced. When the Second World War broke out the operations were complicated. In 1941, 250,000 Chevrolets were made, but shortage of parts made car production impossible. The last Chevrolet left the plant in August, 1942.[60] though in order to avoid total stoppage, the company made electrical and portable refrigerators and car accessories in addition to other items. After the war, GM started producing the Oldsmobile and Pontiac lines and later Chevrolet was added. Production resumed in 1960 with Chevrolet pickups and shortly thereafter in 1962 it started assembling the first/second generation Chevy II until 1974 as Chevrolet 400, and the early third-generation (1968 model) Nova as the Chevrolet Chevy from late 1969 through 1978, both models overlapping for several years, the Chevy II marketed as a family sedan while the Nova as a sporty alternative. Thenceforth several Opel models and Chevrolet pickups are being manufactured. Corporate spin-offs Electronic Data Systems Corporation Main article: Electronic Data Systems In 1984, GM acquired Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS), a leading data processing and telecommunications company, to be the sole provider of information technology (IT) services for the company. EDS became independent again in 1996, signing a 10-year agreement to continue providing IT services to General Motors.[61] Delco Electronics Corporation Delco Electronics Corporation was the automotive electronics design and manufacturing subsidiary of General Motors. The name Delco came from the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Co., founded in Dayton, Ohio by Charles Kettering and Edward A. Deeds. Delco was responsible for several innovations in automobile electric systems, including the first reliable battery ignition system and the first practical automobile self starter. In 1936 Delco began producing the first dashboard-installed car radios. By the early 1970s Delco had become a major supplier of automotive electronics equipment. Based in Kokomo, Indiana, Delco Electronics employed more than 30,000 at its peak. In 1962 GM created the General Motors Research Laboratories, based in Santa Barbara, California, to conduct research and development activities on defense systems. This organization was eventually merged into Delco Electronics and renamed Delco Systems Operations. In 1985 General Motors purchased Hughes Aircraft and merged it with Delco Electronics to form Hughes Electronics Corporation, an independent subsidiary. In 1997 all of the defense businesses of Hughes Electronics (including Delco Systems Operations) were merged with Raytheon, and the commercial portion of Delco Electronics was transferred to GM's Delphi Automotive Systems business. Delphi became a separate publicly traded company in May 1999, and continued to use the Delco Electronics name for several of its subsidiaries through approximately 2004. Although Delco Electronics no longer exists as an operating company, GM still retains rights to the Delco name and uses it for some of its subsidiaries including the AC Delco parts division. Hughes Electronics Corporation Hughes logo, adopted after its new owner General Motors Main article: Hughes Aircraft Hughes Electronics Corporation was formed on December 31, 1985, when Hughes Aircraft Company was sold by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to General Motors for $5.2 billion. General Motors merged Hughes Aircraft with its Delco Electronics unit to form Hughes Electronics Corporation, an independent subsidiary. This division was a major aerospace and defense contractor, civilian space systems manufacturer and communications company. The aerospace and defense business was sold to Raytheon in 1997 and the Space and Communications division was sold to Boeing in 2000. Hughes Research Laboratories became jointly owned by GM, Raytheon, and Boeing. In 2003, the remaining parts of Hughes Electronics were sold to News Corporation and renamed The DirecTV Group. Delphi Corporation Main article: Delphi (auto parts) Delphi Corp. logo Delphi was spun off from General Motors on May 28, 1999. Delphi is one of the largest automotive parts manufacturers and has approximately 185,000 employees (50,000 in the United States). With offices worldwide, the company operates 167 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices, and 33 technical centers in 38 countries. Delphi makes the Monsoon premium audio systems found in some GM and other manufacturer automobiles. On October 8, 2005, Delphi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On March 31, 2006, Delphi announced it would sell off or close 21 of its 29 plants in the United States. Diesel engines Detroit Diesel was originally the GM Diesel Division then Detroit Diesel Allison Division until 1988. It made diesel engines for truck, generating set and marine use. Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) was originally the Electro-Motive Division of GM, until 2005. It made diesel engines and locomotives. See also General Motors Diesel Division and GM Defense. General Motors Acceptance Corporation By the end of 2006, GM had completed the divestiture of 51% of its financing unit, GMAC. Currently GM is a 10% owner in GMAC. General Motors leadership Chairmen of the Board of General Motors Chairmen of the Board of General Motors[62] Thomas Neal – November 19, 1912 – November 16, 1915 Pierre S. du Pont – November 16, 1915 – February 7, 1929 Lammot du Pont II – February 7, 1929 – May 3, 1937 Alfred P. Sloan Jr. – May 3, 1937 – April 2, 1956 Albert Bradley – April 2, 1956 – August 31, 1958 Frederic G. Donner – September 1, 1958 – October 31, 1967 James M. Roche – November 1, 1967 – December 31, 1971 Richard C. Gerstenberg – January 1, 1972 – November 30, 1974 Thomas A. Murphy – December 1, 1974 – December 31, 1980 Roger B. Smith – January 1, 1981 – July 31, 1990 Robert C. Stempel – August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992 John G. Smale – November 2, 1992 – December 31, 1995 John F. "Jack" Smith Jr. – January 1, 1996 – April 30, 2003 G. Richard Wagoner Jr. – May 1, 2003 – March 30, 2009 Kent Kresa – March 30, 2009 – July 10, 2009 Edward ("Ed") Whitacre Jr. – July 10, 2009 – December 31, 2010[63] Dan Akerson – December 31, 2010 – January 15, 2014[64] Tim Solso – January 15, 2014 – January 4, 2016[65] Mary Barra – January 4, 2016 – Present Chief Executive Officers of General Motors Chief Executive Officers of General Motors[66] Alfred P. Sloan Jr. – May 10, 1923 – June 3, 1946 Charles Erwin Wilson – June 3, 1946 – January 26, 1953 Harlow H. Curtice – February 2, 1953 – August 31, 1958 James M. Roche – November 1, 1967 – December 31, 1971 Richard C. Gerstenberg – January 1, 1972 – November 30, 1974 Thomas A. Murphy – December 1, 1974 – December 31, 1980 Roger B. Smith – January 1, 1981 – July 31, 1990 Robert C. Stempel – August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992 John F. "Jack" Smith Jr. – November 2, 1992 – May 31, 2000 G. Richard Wagoner Jr. – June 1, 2000 – March 30, 2009 Frederick A. "Fritz" Henderson – March 30, 2009 – December 1, 2009[67] Edward ("Ed") Whitacre Jr. – December 1, 2009 – September 1, 2010[68] Dan Akerson – September 1, 2010 – January 15, 2014 [69] Mary Barra – January 15, 2014 – Present [70] Vice Chairmen of General Motors Vice Chairmen of General Motors[66] Donaldson Brown – May 3, 1937 – June 3, 1946 George Russell – November 1, 1967 – March 31, 1970 Richard C. Gerstenberg – April 6, 1970 – December 31, 1971 Thomas A. Murphy – January 1, 1972 – November 30, 1974 Richard L. Terrell – October 1, 1974 – January 1, 1979 Oscar A. Lundin – December 1, 1974 – November 30, 1975 Howard H. Kerhl – February 1, 1981 – December 31, 1986 Donald J. Atwood – June 1, 1987 – April 19, 1989 John F. "Jack" Smith Jr. – August 1, 1990 – April 6, 1992 Robert J. Schultz – August 1, 1990 – November 1, 1992 Harry J. Pearce – January 1, 1996 – May 25, 2001 John M. Devine – January 1, 2001 – June 1, 2006 Robert A. Lutz – September 1, 2001 – May 1, 2010 Frederick A. "Fritz" Henderson – January 1, 2006 – March 3, 2008 Presidents of General Motors Presidents of General Motors[71] George E. Daniels – September 22, 1908 – October 20, 1908 William M. Eaton – October 20, 1908 – November 23, 1910 James J. Storrow – November 23, 1910 – January 26, 1911 Thomas Neal – January 26, 1911 – November 19, 1912 Charles W. Nash – November 19, 1912 – June 1, 1916 William C. Durant – June 1, 1916 – November 30, 1920 Pierre S. du Pont – November 30, 1920 – May 10, 1923 Alfred P. Sloan Jr. – May 10, 1923 – May 3, 1937 William S. Knudsen – May 3, 1937 – September 3, 1940 Charles E. Wilson – January 6, 1941 – January 26, 1953 Harlow H. Curtice – February 2, 1953 – August 31, 1958 John F. Gordon – September 1, 1958 – May 31, 1965 James M. Roche – June 1, 1965 – October 31, 1967 Edward N. Cole – November 1, 1967 – September 30, 1974 Elliott M. Estes – October 1, 1974 – January 31, 1981 F. James McDonald – February 1, 1981 – August 31, 1987 Robert C. Stempel – September 1, 1987 – July 31, 1990 Lloyd E. Reuss – August 1, 1990 – April 6, 1992[note 1] John F. "Jack" Smith Jr. – April 6, 1992 – October 5, 1998 G. Richard Wagoner Jr. – October 5, 1998 – March 29, 2009 Frederick A. "Fritz" Henderson – March 31, 2009 – December 1, 2009[72] Dan Ammann – January 2014 – January 2019 [73] Mark Reuss – January 1, 2019[74] Criticism Nazi collaboration In August 1938, before World War Two, a senior executive for General Motors, James D. Mooney, received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle for his distinguished service to the Reich. "Nazi armaments chief Albert Speer told a congressional investigator that Germany could not have attempted its September 1939 Blitzkrieg of Poland without the performance-boosting additive technology provided by Alfred P. Sloan and General Motors".[75][failed verification] During the war, GM's Opel Brandenburg plant produced trucks, parts for Ju 88 aircraft, land mines and torpedo detonators for Nazi Germany.[19] Charles Levinson, formerly deputy director of the European office of the CIO, alleged in his book, Vodka-Cola extensive collaboration and information sharing between US and German divisions of General Motors during the war.[76] Sloan's memoir presents a different picture of Opel's wartime existence.[77] According to Sloan, Opel was nationalized (along with most other industrial activity owned or co-owned by foreign interests) by the German state soon after the outbreak of war.[16] Sloan presents Opel at the end of the war as a black box to GM's American management—an organization that the Americans had had no contact with for five years. According to Sloan, GM in Detroit debated whether to even try to run Opel in the postwar era, or to leave to the interim West German government the question of who would pick up the pieces.[77] But Opel was never factually nationalized and the GM-appointed directors and management remained unchanged throughout the war, dealing with other GM companies in Axis and Allied countries including the United States.[78] In April 1939,[79] defending the German investment strategy as "highly profitable", Alfred P. Sloan had told shareholders that GM's continued industrial production for the Nazi government was merely sound business practice. In a letter to a concerned shareholder, Sloan said that the manner in which the Nazi government ran Germany "should not be considered the business of the management of General Motors....We must conduct ourselves as a German organization.… We have no right to shut down the plant."[75] “In other words, to put the proposition rather bluntly,” Sloan said in the letter, “such matters should not be considered the business of the management of General Motors.”[79] After 20 years of researching General Motors, Bradford Snell alleged that, "General Motors was far more important to the Nazi war machine than Switzerland ... Switzerland was just a repository of looted funds. GM's Opel division was an integral part of the German war effort. The Nazis could have invaded Poland and Russia without Switzerland. They could not have done so without GM."[75] The day before the German invasion of Poland, which was aided by Nazi soldiers who drove in GM Blitz vehicles, Sloan reportedly told shareholders that GM was “too big” to be impeded by “petty international squabbles.”[79] However, a letter which Mooney wrote to shareholders in June 1940 confirmed that Nazi Germany had nationalized the Opel plant by this point in time.[79] In the summer of 1940, a senior GM executive wrote that “the management of Adam Opel A.G. is in the hands of German nationals,” while also noting that it was still “actively represented by two American executives on the Board of Directors.”[79] In April 1941, Walter Carpenter, a GM board member and vice president of DuPont, advised Sloan, who used South America as a way of keeping business relations with Nazi Germany following U.S. sanctions against the country, to end the business relations, stating "If we don’t listen to the urgings of the State Department in this connection, it seems to me just a question of time ... The effect of this will be to associate the General Motors with Nazi or Fascist propaganda against the interests of the United States ... The effect on the General Motors Corporation might be a very serious matter and the feeling might last for years.” Around this time, Assistant Secretary of State Adolf Berle would successfully urge the FBI to investigate GM.[79] The investigation would find no evidence of disloyalty to American policy, but would also name both Sloan and Mooney in the final report and detail Mooney's ties to Nazi Germany.[79] Mooney, who was in charge of GM's multinational operations, had resigned from the company in 1940.[80] Great American streetcar scandal theory Main article: Great American streetcar scandal The Great American Streetcar Scandal is an unproven theory developed by Robert Eldridge Hicks in 1970 and published by Grossman Publishers in 1973 in the book Politics of Land, Ralph Nader's Study Group Report on Land Use in California at pp. 410–412, compiled by Robert C. Fellmeth, Center for Study of Responsive Law, and put forth by Bradford Snell again in 1974, in which GM, along with road-builders, is alleged to have engaged in a policy that triggered the shift from the mass transportation of the previous century to the 'one-person-one-car' trip of today.[81] The theory states that in order to expand auto sales and maximize profits GM bought local mass transit systems and privately owned railways, following which it would proceed to eliminate them and replace them all with GM-built buses.[82] Alternative versions of the events have been put forth by scholars in the field.[83][84][85] Slater, Cosgrove and Span all put forth evidence that counters Snell's theory. Ralph Nader Consumer advocate Ralph Nader issued a series of attacks on vehicle safety issues from GM—particularly the Chevrolet Corvair—in his book Unsafe at Any Speed, written in 1965. This first major work undertaken by Nader established his reputation as a crusader for safety. GM was accused of sending spies after him. The company was questioned at a Senate hearing in March 1966 about its attempted intimidation of Nader. Senators Robert Kennedy and Abe Ribicoff questioned CEO James Roche. In the end, the CEO apologized to Nader. The hearings led to legislation which created the United States Department of Transportation and predecessor agencies of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later that year.[86] Nader sued GM in November 1966 for invasion of privacy, winning the case on appeal in January, 1970.[87] Top-level management In 1980, J. Patrick Wright wrote a book named On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors. This book, which critics acclaimed "blows the lid off the king of carmakers" was about the allegations of corruption, "mismanagement and total irresponsibility" at the top level of the company, as seen by John Z. DeLorean, the Vice-President, who, in 1973, resigned from his position in spite of a brilliant and meteoric rise. He was earning $650,000 per year and was expected to be the next President of GM. EV1 Main article: General Motors EV1 See also Cars portal Companies portal History portal flag United States portal Fisher P-75 Eagle FM/F2M Wildcat F3M Bearcat (none actually built) TBM Avenger McLaughlin Carriage Company The General Motors Company[2] (GM) is an American multinational automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States.[3] It is the largest automaker in the United States and was the largest in the world for 77 years, until losing the top spot to Toyota in 2008.[4][5] General Motors operates manufacturing plants in eight countries.[6] Its four core automobile brands are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. It also holds interests in Chinese brands Wuling Motors and Baojun as well as DMAX via joint ventures.[2] In addition, GM also owns the BrightDrop delivery vehicle manufacturer, [7] a namesake Defense vehicles division which produces military vehicles for the United States government and military, [8] the vehicle safety, security and information services provider OnStar,[9] the auto parts company ACDelco, a namesake financial lending service, and majority ownership in the self-driving cars enterprise Cruise LLC. In January 2021, GM announced plans to end production and sales of vehicles using internal combustion engines, including hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids by 2035, as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.[10] GM offers more flexible-fuel vehicles, which can operate on either E85 ethanol fuel or gasoline, or any blend of both, than any other automaker.[11] The company traces itself to a holding company for Buick established on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant, the largest seller of horse-drawn vehicles at the time.[12] The current entity was established in 2009 after the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.[13] GM is ranked 22nd on the Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.[14] Contents 1 History 1.1 Chapter 11 bankruptcy and bailout 1.2 Post-reorganization 1.3 Other international history 1.3.1 China 1.3.2 Japan 1.3.3 Indonesia 1.3.4 South Korea 1.3.5 Uzbekistan 1.3.6 India 1.3.7 Thailand 1.3.8 Egypt 1.3.9 Nigeria 1.3.10 Tunisia 1.3.11 East Africa 1.3.12 South Africa 1.3.13 New Zealand 1.3.14 Australia 1.4 Motorsports history 1.5 Logo evolution 2 Brands 2.1 Current 2.2 Former 3 Financial results 3.1 Vehicle sales 4 Management 4.1 Current board of directors 4.2 Chairmen of the Board of General Motors 4.3 Chief Executive Officers of General Motors 5 Philanthropy 6 Labor conflicts 6.1 Flint sit-down strike 6.2 Tool and die strike of 1939 6.3 United Auto Workers (UAW) strike of 1945–1946 6.4 2007 General Motors strike 6.5 2019 General Motors strike 7 Controversies 7.1 Streetcar conspiracy 7.2 Ralph Nader and the Corvair 7.3 Ignition switch recall 7.4 Xinjiang region 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links History Further information: History of General Motors This section may require copy editing for most sentences, which start with "In [year]". You can assist by editing it. (March 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) General Motors headquarters building, 1981 By 1900, William C. Durant's Durant-Dort Carriage Company, of Flint, Michigan, had become the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States.[15] Durant was averse to automobiles, but fellow Flint businessman James H. Whiting, owner of Flint Wagon Works, sold him the Buick Motor Company in 1904.[16] Durant formed the General Motors Company in 1908 as a holding company, with partner Charles Stewart Mott, borrowing a naming convention from General Electric.[17] GM's first acquisition was Buick, which Durant already owned, then Oldsmobile on November 12, 1908.[18] Under Durant, GM went on to acquire Cadillac, Elmore, Welch, Cartercar, Oakland (predecessor of Pontiac), the Reliance Motor Truck Company of Owosso, Michigan, and the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company of Pontiac, Michigan (predecessors of GMC) in 1909. Durant, with the board's approval, also tried acquiring Ford Motor Company but needed an additional $2 million.[19] Durant over-leveraged GM in making these acquisitions, and was removed by the board of directors in 1910 at the behest of the bankers who backed the loans to keep GM in business.[16] The action of the bankers was partially influenced by the Panic of 1910–1911 that followed the earlier enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. In 1911, Charles F. Kettering, with Henry M. Leland, of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO), invented and patented the first electric starter in America.[20] In November 1911, Durant co-founded Chevrolet with Swiss race car driver Louis Chevrolet, who left the company in 1915 after a disagreement with Durant.[21] General Motors Company share certificate issued October 13, 1916 GM was reincorporated in Detroit in 1916 as General Motors Corporation and became a public company via an initial public offering. By 1917, Chevrolet had become successful enough that Durant, with the backing of Samuel McLaughlin and Pierre S. du Pont, reacquired a controlling interest in GM. The same year, GM acquired Samson Tractor.[22] Chevrolet Motor Company was consolidated into GM on May 2, 1918, and the same year GM acquired United Motors, a parts supplier founded by Durant and headed by Alfred P. Sloan for $45 million, and the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, founded by R. S. McLaughlin, became General Motors of Canada Limited.[23][24][25] In 1919, GM acquired Guardian Frigerator Company, part-owned by Durant, which was renamed Frigidaire. With this acquisition, the General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), which provides financing to automotive customers, was formed.[26][16] In 1920, du Pont orchestrated the removal of Durant once again and replaced him with Alfred P. Sloan.[27] At a time when GM was competing heavily with Ford Motor Company, Sloan established annual model changes, making previous years' models "dated" and created a market for used cars.[28] He also implemented the pricing strategy used by all car companies today. The pricing strategy had Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac priced from least expensive to most, respectively.[29] In 1921, Thomas Midgley Jr., an engineer for GM, discovered tetraethyllead (leaded gasoline) as an antiknock agent, and GM patented the compound because ethanol could not be patented.[30] This led to the development of higher compression engines resulting in more power and efficiency. The public later realized that lead contained in the gasoline was harmful to various biological organisms including humans.[31] Evidence shows that corporate executives understood the health implications of tetraethyllead from the beginning.[32] As an engineer for GM, Midgley also developed chlorofluorocarbons, which have now been banned due to their contribution to climate change.[33] Under the encouragement of GM President Alfred P. Sloan Jr., GM acquired Vauxhall Motors for $2.5 million in 1925.[34] The company also acquired an interest in the Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company the same year, and its president, John D. Hertz, joined the board of directors of GM; it acquired the remainder of the company in 1943.[16] In 1926, the company introduced the Pontiac brand and established the General Motors Group Insurance Program to provide life insurance to its employees.[16] The following year, after the success of the 1927 model of the Cadillac Lasalle designed by Harley Earl, Sloan created the "Art and Color Section" of GM and named Earl as its first director. Earl was the first design executive to be appointed to leadership at a major American corporation. Earl created a system of automobile design that is still practiced today.[35] At the age of 24, Bill Mitchell was recruited by Harley Earl to the design team at GM, and he was later appointed as Chief Designer of Cadillac. After Earl retired in December 1958, Mitchell took over automotive design for GM.[36] GM acquired Allison Engine Company[16][37] and began developing a 1,000 horsepower liquid-cooled aircraft engine in 1929.[16] The same year, GM acquired 80% of Opel, which at that time had a 37.5% market share in Europe, for $26 million. It acquired the remaining 20% in 1931.[34] In the late-1920s, Charles Kettering embarked on a program to develop a lightweight two-stroke diesel engine for possible usage in automobiles.[38] Soon after, GM acquired Electro-Motive Company and the Winton Engine Co., and in 1941, it expanded EMC's realm to locomotive engine manufacturing.[39] In 1932, GM acquired Packard.[16][40] The following year, GM acquired a controlling interest in North American Aviation and merged it with the General Aviation Manufacturing Corporation.[41] The GM labor force participated in the formation of the United Auto Workers labor union in 1935, and in 1936 the UAW organized the Flint Sit-Down Strike, which initially idled two key plants in Flint, Michigan, and later spread to 6 other plants including those in Janesville, Wisconsin and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In Flint, police attempted to enter the plant to arrest strikers, leading to violence; in other cities, the plants were shuttered peacefully. The strike was resolved on February 11, 1937, when GM recognized the UAW as the exclusive bargaining representative for its workers and gave workers a 5% raise and permission to speak in the lunchroom.[42] Jominy & Boegehold of GM invented the Jominy end-quench test for hardenability of carbon steel in 1937, a breakthrough in heat treating still in use today as ASTM A255.[43] GM established Detroit Diesel the next year.[44] In 1939, the company founded Motors Insurance Corporation and entered the vehicle insurance market.[26] The same year, GM introduced the Hydramatic, the world's first affordable and successful automatic transmission, for the 1940 Oldsmobile.[45][46] 1926 Pontiac radiator logo 1926 Pontiac radiator logo   1928 Pontiac Series 6-28 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan 1928 Pontiac Series 6-28 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan   1932 Pontiac Series 402 Six 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan 1932 Pontiac Series 402 Six 2-door 5-passenger Coach sedan   1936 Pontiac Master Six Series 6BB Coupe 1936 Pontiac Master Six Series 6BB Coupe During World War II, GM produced vast quantities of armaments, vehicles, and aircraft for the Allies of World War II. In 1940, GM's William S. Knudsen served as head of U.S. wartime production for President Franklin Roosevelt, and by 1942, all of GM's production was to support the war.[47] GM's Vauxhall Motors manufactured the Churchill tank series for the Allies, instrumental in the North African campaign.[16] However, its Opel division, based in Germany, supplied the Nazi Party with vehicles. Sloan, head of GM at the time, was an ardent opponent of the New Deal, which bolstered labor unions and public transport, and Sloan admired and supported Adolf Hitler.[48][49] Nazi armaments chief Albert Speer allegedly said in 1977 that Hitler "would never have considered invading Poland" without synthetic fuel technology provided by General Motors. GM was compensated $32 million by the U.S. government because its German factories were bombed by U.S. forces during the war.[50] Effective January 28, 1953, Charles Erwin Wilson, then GM president, was named by Dwight D. Eisenhower as United States Secretary of Defense.[16] In December 1953, GM acquired Euclid Trucks, a manufacturer of heavy equipment for earthmoving, including dump trucks, loaders and wheel tractor-scrapers, which later spawned the Terex brand.[51][52] Alfred P. Sloan retired as chairman and was succeeded by Albert Bradley in April 1956.[53] In 1962, GM introduced the first turbo charged engine in the world for a car in the Oldsmobile Cutlass Turbo-Jetfire.[16][54] Two years later, the company introduced its "Mark of Excellence" logo and trademark at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The company used the mark as their main corporate identifier until 2021.[55] GM released the Electrovan in 1966, the first hydrogen fuel cell car ever produced.[56] Though fuel cells have existed since the early 1800s, General Motors was the first to use a fuel cell, supplied by Union Carbide, to power the wheels of a vehicle with a budget of "millions of dollars".[57][58][59] An advertisement for the 1969 Chevrolet Nova using the advertising slogan "Putting you first, keeps us first" In the 1960s, GM was the first to use turbochargers and was an early proponent of V6 engines, but quickly lost interest as the popularity of muscle cars increased. GM demonstrated gas turbine vehicles powered by kerosene, an area of interest throughout the industry, but abandoned the alternative engine configuration due to the 1973 oil crisis.[60] In partnership with Boeing, GM's Delco Defense Electronics Division designed the Lunar Roving Vehicle, which traversed the surface of the Moon, in 1971.[61][62] The following year, GM produced the first rear wheel anti-lock braking system for two models: the Toronado and Eldorado.[63] In 1973, the Oldsmobile Toronado was the first retail car sold with a passenger airbag.[64][65] Thomas Murphy became CEO of the company, succeeding Richard C. Gerstenberg in November 1974.[66][67] GM installed its first catalytic converters in its 1975 models.[68] From 1978 to 1985, GM pushed the benefits of diesel engines and cylinder deactivation technologies. However, it had disastrous results due to poor durability in the Oldsmobile diesels and drivability issues in the Cadillac V8-6-4 variable-cylinder engines.[69] GM sold Frigidaire in 1979. Although Frigidaire had between $450 million and $500 million in annual revenues, it was losing money.[70] Robert Lee of GM invented the Fe14Nd2B permanent magnet, which was fabricated by rapid solidification, in 1984.[71] The same year, GM acquired Electronic Data Systems for $2.5 billion from Ross Perot as part of a strategy by CEO Roger Smith to derive at least 10% of its annual worldwide revenue from non-automotive sources.[72] GM also intended to have EDS handle its bookkeeping, help computerize factories, and integrate GM's computer systems. The transaction made Ross Perot the largest shareholder of GM; however, disagreements with Roger Smith led the company to buy all shares held by Ross Perot for $750 million in 1986.[73] In a continuation of its diversification plans, GMAC formed GMAC Mortgage and acquired Colonial Mortgage as well as the servicing arm of Norwest Mortgage in 1985. This acquisition included an $11 billion mortgage portfolio.[74] The same year, GM acquired the Hughes Aircraft Company for $5 billion in cash and stock, and merged it into Delco Electronics.[75] The following year, GM acquired 59.7% of Lotus Cars, a British producer of high-performance sports cars.[76] In 1987, in conjunction with AeroVironment, GM built the Sunraycer, which won the inaugural World Solar Challenge and was a showcase of advanced technology. Much of the technology from Sunraycer found its way into the Impact prototype electric vehicle (also built by Aerovironment) and was the predecessor to the General Motors EV1.[77] In 1988, GM acquired a 15% stake in AeroVironment.[78] In 1989, GM acquired half of Saab Automobile's car operations for $600 million.[79] In August 1990, Robert Stempel became CEO of the company, succeeding Roger Smith.[80] GM cut output significantly and suffered losses that year due to the early 1990s recession.[81] In 1990, GM debuted the General Motors EV1 (Impact) concept, a battery electric vehicle, at the LA Auto Show. It was the first car with zero emissions marketed in the US in over three decades. The Impact was produced as the EV1 for the 1996 model year and was available only via lease from certain dealers in California and Arizona. In 1999–2002, GM ceased production of the vehicles and started to not renew the leases, disappointing many people, allegedly because the program would not be profitable and would cannibalize its existing business. All of the EV1s were eventually returned to General Motors, and except for around 40 which were donated to museums with their electric powertrains deactivated, all were destroyed. The documentary film Who Killed the Electric Car? covered the EV1 story.[82] In November 1992, John F. Smith Jr. became CEO of the company.[83] In 1993, GM sold Lotus Cars to Bugatti.[84] In 1996, in a return to its automotive basics, GM completed the corporate spin-off of Electronic Data Systems.[85][86] In 1997, GM sold the military businesses of Hughes Aircraft Company to Raytheon Company for $9.5 billion in stock and the assumption of debt.[87][88][89][90] In February 2000, Rick Wagoner was named CEO, succeeding John F. Smith Jr.[91][92] The next month, GM gave 5.1% of its common stock, worth $2.4 billion, to acquire a 20% share of Fiat.[93] Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid vehicle Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid vehicle   Second generation Chevrolet Volt Second generation Chevrolet Volt   The Chevrolet Volt The Chevrolet Volt   The General Motors EV1, an electric car, was introduced in California in 1996 The General Motors EV1, an electric car, was introduced in California in 1996 In May 2004, GM delivered the first full-sized pickup truck hybrid vehicles, the 1/2-ton Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra trucks.[94] These mild hybrids did not use electrical energy for propulsion, like GM's later designs. Later, the company debuted another hybrid technology, co-developed with DaimlerChrysler and BMW, in diesel-electric hybrid powertrain manufactured by Allison Transmission for transit buses.[95] Continuing to target the diesel-hybrid market, the Opel Astra diesel engine hybrid concept vehicle was rolled out in January 2005.[96] Later that year, GM sold its Electro-Motive Diesel locomotive division to private equity firms Berkshire Partners and Greenbriar Equity Group.[97][98] GM paid $2 billion to sever its ties with Fiat in 2005, severing ties with the company due to an increasingly contentious dispute.[99] GM began adding its "Mark of Excellence" emblem on all new vehicles produced and sold in North America in mid-2005. However, after the reorganization in 2009, the company no longer added the logo, saying that emphasis on its four core divisions would downplay the GM logo.[100][101] In 2005, Edward T. Welburn was promoted to the newly created position of vice president, GM Global Design, making him the first African American to lead a global automotive design organization and the highest-ranking African American in the US motor industry at that time. On July 1, 2016, he retired from General Motors after 44 years. He was replaced by Michael Simcoe.[102][103] In 2006, GM introduced a bright yellow gas cap on its vehicles to remind drivers that cars can operate using E85 ethanol fuel.[104] They also introduced another hybrid vehicle that year, the Saturn Vue Green Line.[105] In 2008, General Motors committed to engineering half of its manufacturing plants to be landfill-free. In order to achieve its landfill-free status, production waste is recycled or reused in the manufacturing process.[106] Continuing their environmental-conscious development, GM started to offer the 2-mode hybrid system in the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and pickup trucks.[107] In late 2008, the world's largest rooftop solar power installation was installed at GM's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza. The Zaragoza solar installation has about 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2) of roof at the plant and contains about 85,000 solar panels. The installation was created, owned and operated by Veolia Environment and Clairvoyant Energy, which leases the rooftop area from GM.[108][109][110] Chapter 11 bankruptcy and bailout Further information: General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization In March 2009, after the company had received $17.4 billion in bailouts but was not effective in a turnaround, President Barack Obama forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner.[111] General Motors filed for a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization on June 8, 2009.[112][113] On July 10, 2009, the original General Motors sold assets and some subsidiaries to an entirely new company, including the trademark "General Motors".[112][113] Liabilities were left with the original GM, renamed Motors Liquidation Company, freeing the companies of many liabilities and resulting in a new GM.[112][113] Through the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the United States Department of the Treasury invested $49.5 billion in General Motors and recovered $39 billion when it sold its shares on December 9, 2013, resulting in a loss of $10.3 billion. The Treasury invested an additional $17.2 billion into GM's former financing company, GMAC (now Ally Financial). The shares in Ally were sold on December 18, 2014, for $19.6 billion netting the government $2.4 billion in profit, including dividends.[114][115] A study by the Center for Automotive Research found that the GM bailout saved 1.2 million jobs and preserved $34.9 billion in tax revenue.[116] In 2009, the company shut down its Saturn Corporation and Pontiac brands after failing to find a buyer for the brands, and sold Hummer to Tengzhong.[117] General Motors Canada was not part of the General Motors Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[118] Post-reorganization In June 2009, at the request of Steven Rattner, lead adviser to President Barack Obama on the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, Edward Whitacre Jr., who had led a restructuring of AT&T was named chairman of the company.[119] In July 2009, after 40 days of bankruptcy protection, the company emerged from the government-backed General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.[120] In December 2009, the board of directors forced CEO Frederick Henderson to resign and Edward Whitacre Jr. was named interim CEO.[121] In 2010, GM acquired Americredit, a subprime lender, for $3.5 billion, which was merged into GM Financial.[122] In November 2010, GM again became a public company via an initial public offering that was one of the world's top five largest IPOs to date.[123] The company returned to profitability in 2010.[124] In January 2010, GM sold Saab Automobile to Dutch automaker Spyker Cars.[125][126] In May 2010, the company repaid a $6.7 billion loan from the government ahead of schedule.[127] In September 2010, Daniel Akerson became CEO of the company.[128] In 2010, GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), an electric vehicle with back-up generators powered by gasoline, or series plug-in hybrid.[129][130] GM delivered the first Volt in December 2010.[131] The Chevrolet Volt was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with back-up generators powered by gasoline (range-extended electric vehicle).[132] General Motors built a prototype two-seat electric vehicle with Segway Inc. An early prototype of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility vehicle—dubbed Project P.U.M.A. – was presented in New York at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.[133] 2nd generation Buick LaCrosse (2010–2016)[134][135] 2nd generation Buick LaCrosse (2010–2016)[134][135]   General Motors Sequel, a fuel cell-powered vehicle from GM General Motors Sequel, a fuel cell-powered vehicle from GM   E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Impala LT 2009 (USA) E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Impala LT 2009 (USA)   The Chevrolet Bolt EV was released in late 2016 The Chevrolet Bolt EV was released in late 2016 In July 2011, General Motors invested $7.5 million in solar-panel provider Sunlogics to install solar panels on GM facilities.[136] In October 2011, GM introduced the Chevrolet Spark EV, an all-electric car version of the third generation Chevrolet Spark, the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors in the U.S. since the General Motors EV1 was discontinued in 1999. The production version was unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.[137][138] The Chevrolet Spark was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013.[139] Retail sales began in South Korea in October 2013.[140] In 2011, GM revived one of its idled U.S. factories for the production of a subcompact car in Orion, Michigan, with the creation of 1,500 jobs. This was the first time that GM produced a subcompact car in the United States since the Chevrolet Chevette ended production in 1986.[141] Production started in late 2011 with the Chevrolet Sonic.[142] GM ended production of the Sonic at Orion Assembly on October 19, 2020.[143] In 2012, PSA Group and General Motors formed an alliance, and GM acquired 7% of PSA Group.[144] The ownership was divested on December 13, 2013, generating gross proceeds of €250 million.[145][146] On July 2, 2013, GM and Honda announced a partnership to develop fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies for the 2020 time frame. GM and Honda are leaders in fuel cell technology, ranking first and second, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them according to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index.[147][148][149] In late 2013, after losing approximately $18 billion over 12 years, GM began phasing out mainstream sales of Chevrolet in Europe and finished by late 2015 to focus on Opel/Vauxhall. The Chevrolet brand had been reintroduced in Europe in 2005, selling mostly rebranded Daewoo Motors cars acquired by GM Korea.[150][151] On January 15, 2014, Mary Barra was named chief executive officer, succeeding Daniel Akerson. Barra also joined the GM board.[152] The 2014 General Motors recall, which was due to faulty ignition switches, and was linked to at least 124 deaths, was estimated to cost the company $1.5 billion.[153] In October 2015, the second-generation Volt was launched in the United States and Canada. The second generation had an upgraded drivetrain and improved battery system that increased the all-electric range from 38 to 53 miles (61 to 85 km).[154][155][156] On January 4, 2016, GM invested $500 million in Lyft.[157] This was GM's first investment in ride-sharing.[158] In March 2016, General Motors acquired Cruise, a San Francisco self-driving vehicle start-up, to develop self-driving cars that could be used in ride-sharing fleets.[159][160] In October 2016, GM began production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the first ever mass market all-electric car with a range of more than 200 miles (320 km).[161][162] The battery pack and most drivetrain components were built by LG Corporation and assembled in GM's plant in Lake Orion, Michigan.[163] In December 2016, General Motors began testing self-driving vehicles on public roads in Michigan after Governor Rick Snyder signed bills legalizing the operation of autonomous vehicles.[164] In 2017, GM introduced its Super Cruise autopilot feature into certain models of its cars.[165][166] On March 6, 2017, General Motors sold its Opel and Vauxhall brands to PSA Group for $2.3 billion.[167][168] On April 20, 2017, the Government of Venezuela seized the General Motors Venezolana plant in Valencia, Carabobo.[169] In October 2017, GM acquired Strobe, a solid state LIDAR company. Strobe's prototypes produce brief "chirps" of frequency-modulated (FM) laser light, where the frequency within each chirp varies linearly. Measuring the phase and frequency of the echoing chirp allows the system to directly measure both the distance and the velocity of objects on the road ahead. Strobe, Cruise, and GM will work together to develop the technology for future self-driving cars.[170][171] In October 2018, Honda invested $2.75 billion in GM's self-driving car unit, including an initial investment of $275 million, followed by $2 billion within a year.[172][173][174] In November 2018, GM announced it would lay off more than 14,000 employees in North America, comprising 15% of its workforce and 25% of its executive staff in the region.[127] The company ceased production at three assemblies: Lordstown Assembly in Ohio, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in Michigan and Oshawa in Canada and two engine/transmission (White Marsh, Maryland, and Warren, Michigan) plants in 2019.[175][176] In March 2019, GM ceased production of the Chevrolet Volt.[177] In March 2019, the company announced that it would begin production of a new EV model in Lake Orion, Michigan.[178] In May 2019, General Motors received pushback on its plan to release a fleet of up to 2,500 modified Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles. The company planned to release these vehicles by Q4 of 2019 as part of initiatives to build a controlled self-driving fleet.[179] In November 2019, GM sold its former Chevy Cruze plant in Lordstown, Ohio to Lordstown Motors.[180] In January 2020, GM announced the return of the Hummer nameplate as a series of electric vehicles to be sold from within the GMC portfolio, known as the GMC Hummer EV.[181] The first vehicle, a pickup truck variant with over 1,000 horsepower, shipped in December 2021.[182][183][184] On March 21, 2020, during the -19 pandemic, General Motors began assisting Ventec Life Systems to produce ventilators.[185] In April 2020, the company shut down Maven, a car-sharing service in the United States.[186][187] In September 2020, GM announced a partnership with Nikola Corporation to engineer and manufacture the Nikola Badger, and GM made an equity investment in Nikola. The Badger will use GM's Ultium battery technology, and GM will be an exclusive fuel cell supplier for all of Nikola's class 7/8 trucks.[188] Following fraud allegations from short-seller[citation needed] Hindenburg Research concerning the mechanical capabilities of the Badger pickup truck along with separate sexual misconduct allegations involving former CEO Trevor Milton, GM scaled back its investment with Nikola via a smaller revised deal.[189][190] In September 2020, GM and Honda announced an alliance to cooperate on purchasing, research, and vehicle development.[191][192] In November 2020, GM committed to increased capital investment in electric vehicles to over half of new capital expenditures, totalling $27 billion over five years.[193] On January 8, 2021, GM introduced a new logo alongside a tagline "EVerybody in", with the capitalized "EV" as a nod to the company's commitment to electric vehicles.[194][195] GM's new logo used negative space to create the idea of an electric plug in the "M" of the logo.[196] At the January 2021 Consumer Electronics Show, GM launched BrightDrop, its brand for all-electric commercial vehicles.[197] On January 28, 2021, GM announced that it will end production and sales of fossil-fuel vehicles (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) by 2035 as part of its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2040.[198] In 2021, GM announced plans to establish an automotive battery and battery pack laboratory in Michigan.[199][200][201] GM will be responsible for battery management systems and power electronics, thermal management, as well as the pack assembly. An existing GM facility at Brownstown Township was chosen to be upgraded as a battery pack plant.[129] LG Chem's U.S. subsidiary, Compact Power of Troy, Michigan, has been building the prototype packs for the development vehicles and will continue to provide integration support and act as a liaison for the program.[202] in April 2021, after being criticized for not advertising enough in black-owned businesses, General Motors said that it will spend 2% of 2021's advertising budget in Black-owned media and 4% in 2022 until reaching 8% in 2025.[203] In April 2021, GM announced a joint venture with LG, to build a $2.3 billion plant to build batteries for electric vehicles.[204] In November 2021, GM acquired a 25% stake in Pure Watercraft, a producer of all-electric boats.[205] General Motors has launched the largest investment project in its home state of Michigan, announcing plans to invest $7 billion to convert a plant to produce electric cars and build a new battery plant.[206][207] Besides that General Motors has announced investment of $154 million into its Western New York Lockport Components plant.[208][209] In August 2022, the company announced that it would reinstate its quarterly dividend at a rate of 9 cents per share, compared to 38 cents per share when it was first cut in April 2020, and increase its share buyback program to $5 billion from $3.3 billion.[210] Also in August 2022, the company announced that it would offer buyouts to the roughly 2,000 Buick dealers in the US that didn't want to make investments as the company switches to an all-electric lineup. This move came after a similar move with Cadillac dealers that reduced their presence by about a third.[211][212] Other international history China For the Chinese market, most of its cars are manufactured within China. Shanghai GM, a joint venture with the Chinese company SAIC Motor, was created with Canadian Regal 1990 on March 25, 1997. The Shanghai GM plant was officially opened on December 15, 1998, when the first Chinese-built Buick came off the assembly line. The SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile joint-venture is also selling microvans under the Wuling brand (34% owned by GM). Buick is strong in China from its early introduction by the Canadian Buick sold to the last Emperor of China, later being led by the Buick Regal 1990 subcompact. The last emperor of China owned a Buick.[213] The Cadillac brand was introduced in China in 2004, starting with exports to China. GM pushed the marketing of the Chevrolet brand in China in the mid-2000s as well. As part of this push, GM transferred Buick Sail to that brand as an attempt to appeal to Chinese middle-class buyers looking for small and affordable cars.[214] In August 2009, FAW-GM, a joint venture between GM and FAW Group that mainly produced FAW Jiefang light-duty trucks, was formed.[215] GM left the joint venture in 2019, and the Jiefang brand is now wholly owned by FAW.[216] In 2011, GM opened an auto research center as part of a US250 million corporate campus in Shanghai to develop gasoline-hybrid cars, electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles, engines, and new technologies.[217] A second phase opened in 2012.[218] SAIC-GM-Wuling established the low-cost Baojun brand to better compete with domestic rivals, Chery Automobile, Geely Automobile and BYD Auto for first-time buyers of cars priced around US$10,000.[219] Japan GM maintains a dealership presence in Japan, called GM Chevrolet Shop, previously known as GM Auto World Shop.[220] Current GM Japan dealerships were either former Saturn dealerships or Isuzu dealership locations. GM products are also currently sold by the company Yanase Co., Ltd. since 1915.[221] Indonesia In August 2011, GM announced plans to build a $150 million 190,300 square-foot plant in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, which would produce 40,000 passenger cars per year for the Southeast Asian market.[222] The plant opened on March 11, 2013.[223] The plant was shut in 2015.[224] GM withdrew the Chevrolet brand from Indonesia in March 2020. However, GM will continue to sell the Wuling and Baojun badged vehicles in Indonesia through the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture.[225] South Korea In October 2011, the South Korea free trade agreement opened the South Korean auto market to American-made cars.[226] GM owns 77.0% of its joint venture in South Korea, GM Korea, which mainly designs and produces Chevrolet and Holden branded vehicles.[2] In 2011, GM discontinued the Daewoo brand in South Korea and replaced it with the Chevrolet brand.[227] In 2018, the company approached the Korea Development Bank to participate in a $2.7 billion debt swap issued by its Korean subsidiary.[228] In February 2018, General Motors shut one factory in South Korea. The plant was affected by the pullout of the Chevrolet brand from Europe.[229] Uzbekistan In 2008, GM Uzbekistan was established, owned 25% by GM. It produced Ravon, Chevrolet, and Daewoo branded vehicles. This interest was sold to the Government of Uzbekistan in 2019. India In 1928, GM became the first car maker to manufacture cars in India. GM entered the market for the second time in 1996. The older Halol, Gujarat plant, with a capacity of 50,000 units, stopped production on April 28, 2017, and was sold to MG Motor India. GM continues to manufacture cars for the export market from its Talegaon Dhamdhere, Maharashtra plant, which has a capacity of 160,000 units annually. Thailand GM stopped production of the Chevrolet Sonic in Thailand in mid-2015.[230] In February 2020, GM discontinued the Chevrolet brand in Thailand.[231] GM withdrew from the Thai market and sold its Rayong plant to Great Wall Motors.[232] Egypt GM has a long history in Egypt which began in the 1920s with the assembly of cars and light pickup trucks for the local market. In the mid of the 1950s, GM withdrew from the Egyptian market. Some years later, the Ghabbour Brothers began to assemble Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Buick models up to the 1990s. Since 1983, GM and Al-Monsour Automotive have owned General Motors Egypt, which is currently the only manufacturer of traditional GM branded vehicles in Egypt.[233] Nigeria In the 1920s, Miller Brothers Nigeria was founded as an importer of commercial vehicles of the Bedford brand in the country. In 1949, the company opened its own assembly plant and operated under the name Niger/Nigeria Motors. In 1965 the plant and its distribution network were split into different companies and renamed Federated Motors Industries. In 1991 the company was taken in by a joint venture between General Motors and UACN of Nigeria.[citation needed] Tunisia In 1982, GM formed Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines, which built a plant in Kairouan, Tunisia.[234] East Africa Formed in 1975, General Motors East Africa (GMEA) was the largest assembler of commercial vehicles in the region, exporting them from Kenya to East and Central African countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda and Burundi. Its facility located in Nairobi assembled a wide range of Isuzu trucks and buses, including the popular Isuzu N-Series versatile light commercial vehicle, TF Series pick-ups, and Isuzu bus chassis. In addition to assembly, GMEA also marketed the Chevrolet Spark and Optra. In 2017, GM sold its 57.7% stake in General Motors East Africa to Isuzu,[235] and GMEA was renamed Isuzu East Africa Limited.[236] South Africa General Motors began operating in South Africa in 1913 through its wholly owned subsidiary, General Motors South Africa, and was a market that briefly had its own local brand, Ranger. Following the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986, GM was forced to divest from South Africa, and GMSA became the independent Delta Motor Corporation. GM purchased a 49% stake in Delta in 1997 following the end of apartheid and acquired the remaining 51% in 2004, reverting the company to its original name. By 2014, it was targeting the production of 50,000 cars a year but was being hampered by national labor unrest, strikes, and protests.[237] GM exited the South Africa market in 2017, selling its parts business to Isuzu.[238] New Zealand In New Zealand, GM locally assembled Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Pontiac vehicles from 1926 and Vauxhall cars from 1931. After World War II, the local production of Chevrolet and Vauxhalls resumed, followed by Pontiac in 1959. In 1954, sales of fully imported Holden vehicles into New Zealand began. New Zealand assembly of Holdens began in 1957, and by the end of the 1960s, Holdens replaced all Chevrolets and Pontiacs (both in 1968) and most Vauxhalls. Opel, Bedford, and Isuzu vehicles were assembled or imported at different times during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. All local General Motors assembly plants in New Zealand closed by 1990. GM New Zealand was renamed Holden New Zealand in 1994.[239] Australia Main article: Holden GMSV logo In 1926, GM formed an Australian subsidiary, General Motors (Australia) Limited, which imported, distributed and assembled General Motors products.[240] The bodies were manufactured at an Adelaide-based family business, Holden's Motor Body Builders, which had built up its operations with the help of tariff protection and amicable relations with trade unions.[241] During the Great Depression, Holden's Motor Body Builders collapsed, which allowed General Motors to acquire Holden, becoming General Motors-Holden [GMH] in 1931. In 1948, the first fully manufactured Australian car, the Holden 48-215, was released to great fanfare amongst the Australian public. It was marketed as "Australia's Own" Holden, and became an iconic feature of post-war Australian culture.[242] In 2020, GM discontinued the Holden brand due to poor reception and sales, shutting the facilities where they were produced. GM continues to export some Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles through a new entity called General Motors Specialty Vehicles.[243][244] In 2012, GM established Opel as a niche marque in Australia and began to sell Opel branded cars in Australia. However, in August 2013, sales of Opel ceased due to low sales.[245][246] Motorsports history Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in the IMSA SportsCar Championship GM participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) from 2004 to 2012,[247] and has also participated in other motorsport championships, including 24 Hours of Le Mans,[248] NASCAR,[249] SCCA[250] and Supercars Championship.[251]
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