Key Stats
- General Motors reported revenue of $48.59 billion for Q3 2025, beating analyst expectations.
- The automaker achieved adjusted earnings per share of $2.80 in Q3 2025, surpassing the expected $2.31.
- General Motors holds a market capitalization of approximately $64.08 billion as of October 2025.
- The company sold 710,347 vehicles in Q3 2025, representing an 8 percent year-over-year increase.
- GM delivered 66,501 electric vehicles in Q3 2025, setting another quarterly EV sales record.
General Motors Company stands as one of the largest automotive manufacturers globally, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, and markets vehicles across four primary brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
Founded in 1908, General Motors operates through four business segments serving distinct geographic markets. The company maintains manufacturing facilities in eight countries and distribution operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
General Motors offers automotive financing services through its subsidiary, GM Financial, which originates retail automobile installment sales contracts and lease products. The automaker sells vehicles to dealers for consumer retail sales and provides fleet services to rental companies, commercial customers, leasing firms, and government entities worldwide.
General Motors History
William C. Durant founded General Motors Company on September 16 in Flint, Michigan, as a holding company for Buick. Durant had previously become the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles before entering the automotive industry.
General Motors acquired several automobile companies including Cadillac, Oakland, Oldsmobile, and the predecessors of GMC Truck. The aggressive expansion strategy positioned GM for rapid growth in the emerging automotive market.
Durant lost control of General Motors to a bankers’ trust due to excessive debt from acquisitions combined with a collapse in vehicle sales, marking the first major crisis in the company’s history.
Durant regained control of General Motors after secretly purchasing a controlling interest through Chevrolet Motor Car Company, winning one of the most dramatic proxy wars in American business history and reorganizing GM into General Motors Corporation.
General Motors led global automobile sales for 77 consecutive years, establishing unprecedented dominance in the worldwide automotive industry that would last through multiple generations and market transformations.
GM acquired Electronic Data Systems Corporation, a leading data processing and telecommunications company, to serve as the sole provider of information technology services for the automotive giant.
General Motors lost its position as the world’s largest automaker to Toyota after maintaining the top spot for over seven decades, signaling major shifts in global automotive competition.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 8 following the 2008-2009 recession and failure to obtain government loans. General Motors emerged from government-backed reorganization on July 10, closing Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn brands.
General Motors returned to public trading with a $23 billion initial public offering on November 18, reducing US Treasury ownership from 61 percent to approximately 26 percent and marking a significant milestone in post-bankruptcy recovery.
GM acquired Cruise, a San Francisco self-driving vehicle startup for $1 billion, to develop autonomous vehicles for ride-sharing fleets and position the company in emerging mobility technologies.
General Motors announced its commitment to end production of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 as part of an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
General Motors Co-founders
Founded General Motors Company on September 16, 1908, after becoming the largest seller of horse-drawn vehicles. Durant built GM through aggressive acquisitions and twice controlled the company, establishing the foundation for its growth into an automotive behemoth.
Co-founded General Motors after his carriage company merged into Buick prior to GM’s creation. Mott became the largest single stockholder in the company and devoted his life to philanthropic work through the Mott Foundation, benefiting the city of Flint.
General Motors Revenue
General Motors generated revenue of $187.44 billion in 2024, representing a 9.08 percent increase from the previous year. The company’s third quarter 2025 revenue reached $48.59 billion, demonstrating resilient performance despite challenging market conditions and industry headwinds.
General Motors Marketcap
General Motors maintains a market capitalization of approximately $64.08 billion as of October 2025. The company’s market value increased by 24.82 percent over the past year, reflecting improved financial performance and investor confidence in its strategic direction.
General Motors Acquisitions
General Motors has pursued strategic acquisitions to strengthen its technological capabilities and expand into emerging automotive sectors. The company’s largest acquisition to date occurred in 2016 when it purchased Cruise Automation for $1 billion, establishing a major presence in autonomous vehicle development and ride-sharing technology.
The acquisition of Electronic Data Systems Corporation in 1984 brought leading information technology services in-house, though the subsidiary became independent again in 1996. GM continued acquiring technology companies to support its digital transformation and connected vehicle initiatives throughout the following decades.
In the early history of General Motors, founder William Durant built the company through aggressive acquisitions between 1908 and 1910. The company acquired Oldsmobile in 1908, followed by Cadillac, Oakland, and the predecessors of GMC Truck in 1909, creating a diversified portfolio of automobile brands.
General Motors acquired various component suppliers and technology firms to support vertical integration strategies. The company purchased Tooling & Equipment International in November 2023, adding design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities for prototype and production services to strengthen its development processes.
Throughout the 2000s, GM divested several major brands and subsidiaries as part of restructuring efforts. The company sold Allison Transmission Holdings to The Carlyle Group for $5.6 billion in 2007, representing its largest disclosed sale. GM exited from Saab operations and completed the sale of its European Opel and Vauxhall brands.
The automotive giant acquired a 25 percent stake in Pure Watercraft in November 2021, expanding into all-electric boat production and demonstrating its commitment to electrification across multiple mobility sectors beyond traditional automobiles.
General Motors has focused acquisition activity primarily in the United States across four states, targeting technology hardware and information technology sectors. The company continues evaluating strategic acquisitions to support its electric vehicle development, autonomous driving capabilities, and connected services as it transforms from a traditional automaker to a comprehensive mobility solutions provider competing with both established manufacturers and new technology-driven competitors.
General Motors Competitors
General Motors faces intense competition from traditional automotive manufacturers and emerging electric vehicle producers in global markets. The competitive landscape includes established international brands and technology companies entering the mobility sector across all vehicle segments.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Motor Company | Dearborn, Michigan | North America, trucks, SUVs |
| Stellantis | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Global automotive brands |
| Toyota Motor Corporation | Toyota City, Japan | Global vehicles, hybrids |
| Volkswagen Group | Wolfsburg, Germany | European, global markets |
| Hyundai Motor Company | Seoul, South Korea | Global affordable vehicles |
| Tesla Inc. | Austin, Texas | Electric vehicles, energy |
| Honda Motor Company | Tokyo, Japan | Global sedans, compact vehicles |
| BMW Group | Munich, Germany | Luxury vehicles, performance |
| Mercedes-Benz Group | Stuttgart, Germany | Premium automobiles |
| Nissan Motor Corporation | Yokohama, Japan | Global mass market vehicles |
FAQs
What brands does General Motors own?
General Motors owns four primary automobile brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. The company also holds interests in Chinese brands Baojun and Wuling through its SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile joint venture in China.
When was General Motors founded?
General Motors was founded on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant in Flint, Michigan. The company originated as a holding company for Buick before expanding through acquisitions of other automotive brands during its first years.
Did General Motors file for bankruptcy?
Yes, General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 8, 2009, following the 2008-2009 recession. The company emerged from government-backed reorganization on July 10, 2009, and returned to profitability within its first full year.
What is General Motors revenue?
General Motors reported annual revenue of $187.44 billion for 2024, representing a 9.08 percent increase from 2023. The company generated quarterly revenue of $48.59 billion in Q3 2025, beating Wall Street expectations.
Where is General Motors headquarters located?
General Motors is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The company operates manufacturing facilities in eight countries and maintains distribution operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
