
GM is the corporate flagship brand of General Motors Company, a publicly traded American automotive manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, trading on NYSE under ticker GM. The GM brand identity anchors corporate marketing, the Ultium EV platform, GM Financial, and shared technologies like Super Cruise across the company's Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac divisions. The lowercase "gm" logo was introduced in January 2021 to mark the company's electric vehicle era.
Parent Company
Founded
1908
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| GM | General Motors Company | Wholly owned |
William C. Durant founded General Motors in Flint, Michigan, on September 16, 1908, as a holding company for Buick, quickly adding Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland (later Pontiac). After losing and regaining control of the company through the Chevrolet venture, Durant was succeeded by Alfred P. Sloan, whose "a car for every purse and purpose" strategy made GM the world's largest automaker, a title it held for 77 consecutive years through 2008.
The GM brand crest and the "Mark of Excellence" badge appeared across divisions for decades as the corporate identity. GM weathered the 2009 bankruptcy and government-backed restructuring, emerging as General Motors Company while dropping Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer (later revived under GMC), and Saab.
In January 2021, GM unveiled a refreshed lowercase "gm" logo, the first major identity change since 1964, signaling the pivot to electric vehicles under the "Everybody In" campaign and the Ultium battery platform. Through 2025-2026, the GM brand fronts the company's EV transition, Cruise robotaxi wind-down integration, and software-defined vehicle strategy.
What does General Motors own?
General Motors owns four automotive brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. The company also owns GM Financial (captive finance), Cruise (autonomous vehicles), and OnStar (connected vehicle services). GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China (through joint ventures), Brazil, and South Korea. GM previously owned Pontiac, Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and Opel/Vauxhall, all of which were divested or discontinued.
Is General Motors publicly traded?
Yes, General Motors is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker GM. The company relisted on the NYSE in November 2010 following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2009. GM has no controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. The U.S. government sold its remaining stake in GM in 2013. As of December 31, 2025, the company had 904 million shares outstanding.
What is General Motors' annual revenue?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended December 31, 2025), GM reported revenue of $185.0 billion, down 1.3% from FY2024. EBIT-adjusted was $12.7 billion, at the high end of guidance. Net income was $2.7 billion, reduced by more than $7.2 billion in special charges primarily related to EV capacity realignment. Adjusted EPS was $10.60. The company generated $10.6 billion in adjusted automotive free cash flow.
Who is the CEO of General Motors?
Mary Barra has served as Chairman and CEO since January 2014, making her the first female CEO of a major global automaker. She joined GM in 1980 as a co-op student and rose through the engineering and manufacturing ranks. Under her leadership, GM delivered a 54% total return for shareholders in 2025 and announced a 20% dividend increase and new $6 billion share repurchase authorization for 2026.
What is GM's 2026 guidance?
For 2026, GM projects EBIT-adjusted of $13.0-$15.0 billion, net income of $10.3-$11.7 billion, EPS-diluted of $11.00-$13.00, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $9.0-$11.0 billion. The company expects North America adjusted profit margins to return to 8-10%, up from 6.8% in 2025. CEO Barra stated that 2026 "should be an even better year for GM."
Who founded General Motors?
General Motors was founded by William Crapo Durant on September 16, 1908, in Flint, Michigan. Durant was a successful carriage manufacturer who had acquired Buick Motor Company in 1904 and used it as the foundation for GM. Alfred P. Sloan Jr. subsequently became the dominant figure in GM's management and is credited with developing the multi-brand strategy.
Where is General Motors headquartered?
General Motors is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The company has been significantly downsizing its headquarters, a move expected to save tens of millions of dollars annually. GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and South Korea, among other locations.
GM has committed to carbon neutrality in global products and operations by 2040 and plans for all light-duty vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035. The company sources renewable energy for US facilities and invests in battery recycling through partners like Redwood Materials, while critics note continued heavy reliance on large trucks and SUVs.
GM led the US industry in 2025 sales, held full-size pickup and SUV leadership, and earned J.D. Power dependability awards across divisions. Mary Barra has appeared repeatedly on Fortune's Most Powerful Women and Forbes' most influential business leader lists.
FTC data privacy settlement (2025): GM settled FTC allegations that it sold driver location and behavior data without adequate consent, agreeing to consent requirements and data deletion.
6.2L V8 recall (2025): Approximately 600,000 trucks and SUVs were recalled for engine bearing defects tied to failure risk.
Ignition switch crisis (2014, legacy): Defective switches linked to 124 deaths produced more than $2 billion in penalties and settlements and lasting reputational impact.
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because GMoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by General Motors Company, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveOwned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for its value proposition, quality improvements, and stylish designs in the global automotive market.
Hyundai is privately owned, unlike GM which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveOwned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for sporty design and value positioning, part of Hyundai Motor Group.
Kia is privately owned, unlike GM which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveOwned by Interstate Battery System of America
American battery distributor founded in 1952, specializing in automotive, commercial, and consumer batteries, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Interstate Batteries is privately owned, unlike GM which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveOwned by AutoNation, Inc.
America's largest single-brand automotive retailer, operating new-vehicle franchises, collision centers, and service operations under one national banner.
AutoNation operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveOwned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company
Budget tire brand owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company, a subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, offering affordable tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, and commercial vehicles.
Ironman Tires is privately owned, unlike GM which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveOwned by Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Chinese automotive brand established in 2023 by Chery Automobile, focusing on SUVs for export markets outside China.
Jaecoo is owned by Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., a state owned company, a different structure than GM's parent.
Discover popular brands and companies in the Automotive category and related searches from other users.

Iconic Italian high-performance automotive brand specializing in sporty variants of Fiat vehicles, known for its racing heritage, distinctive scorpion logo, and recent expansion into electrified performance models.

Zero-emissions technology brand of Cummins Inc., covering battery-electric powertrains, fuel cells, and electrolyzers under the Destination Zero strategy.

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Company, launched in the United States in 1986. It was the first Japanese luxury automobile brand sold in North America and is currently sold in the USA, Canada, China, and a limited number of other markets.