European Heritage
GM has been a market leader in Europe for more than eighty years. General Motors' move into Europe dates back to 1911, just three years after the GM Corporation was formed (1908). The company started building Chevrolet cars in Denmark in 1923 and Belgium in 1925 before acquiring Vauxhall in the U.K. (1925) and Opel in Germany (1929). GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Saab of Sweden in 1989, taking full ownership in 2000.
1911 - 1949 | 1950 - 1989 | 1990 - 1999 | 2000 - 2007
| 1949 | The Saab 92 is the first series-produced Saab built by Svenska Aeroplan AktieBolaget (originally founded as a national manufacturer of military aircraft). |
| 1940 | Opel production is suspended through the war years. |
| 1929 | Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim, Germany, is acquired. |
| 1925 | GM acquires Vauxhall Motors Ltd. of Luton, U.K. |
| 1924 | GM Continental starts operations in Antwerp, Belgium. |
| 1923 | General Motors International opens in Copenhagen to build and market Chevrolet cars. |
| 1911 | The General Motors Export Company is founded to sell cars and trucks worldwide. |