The company presented a prototype of its first car to the public in the same year, 1911. Such promptness is explained by the fact that the work did not start from scratch. There was a ready-made project for a promising car.
According to one version, it was developed by GM engineers back when Durant was at the helm of the company. When faced with the need to leave his post, the resourceful businessman saved this development for his future enterprise. The businessman chose the famous racer as a partner so that Louis Chevrolet's wide fame would attract attention to the new company.
According to another version, Chevrolet himself designed the company's first car. Durant, looking for a use for his commercial talents and knowing that Louis was doing design work in his workshop, asked him to design a car in European style. In exchange, he promised to name the future new product after him. To complete the task, Louis invited his friend and designer Etienne Planchet, with whom they created the car.
Of course, it is now difficult to accurately retell the events of a hundred years ago. However, given that Louis had been actively collaborating with Durand since 1909, not only as a racer but also as a designer of engines and sports cars, events could have happened differently. Most likely, the project was based on Chevrolet's developments, in which he tried to embody his own idea of a personal car. The design was refined and put into production by GM specialists, on Durant's instructions and with money.
Regardless of how it actually happened, the company's first car was named Chevrolet, in honor of the famous racer. The model was given the designation Classic Six, emphasizing that it was equipped with a six-cylinder engine. Automobile (full name Chevrolet Six Series C Classic) the public liked it. It was not only luxurious and comfortable, but also, at the time, technically advanced. However, due to its high cost, only very wealthy clients could buy it, so the demand was low. In pursuit of profit, Duran simultaneously launched the production of a simpler model with a more affordable price. However, there was no sharp increase in sales, since the cost was still high for potential buyers.
The company's real success came when it focused on mass production of inexpensive models with a four-cylinder engine. The famous "cross" (it is believed to be a stylized image of a bow tie) appeared on these models and has since become the company's trademark. The cheapest car, the Chevrolet 490, caught up with the famous Ford T in popularity. The company's financial success allowed Durant to regain control of GM. A little later, both companies would merge and be transformed into the General Motors Corporation, and Chevrolet would become the corporation's leading division. Long before the merger, Louis Chevrolet would leave the company, but the cars it produced would continue to bear his name.
Chevrolet is currently one of the most popular brands of the GM corporation. In addition, in recent decades, the Chevrolet brand has steadily expanded its presence in the global automotive industry. In terms of sales volume, cars with the "cross" entered the top five. Currently, Chevrolet is the most successful division of GM, which has its own production facilities in many countries around the world, including Russia.
[The article was reprinted from the website: CHEVYMAN]