Which iconic American brand of vehicles did GM acquire in 1911?
- Ford
- Chevrolet
- Buick
- Cadillac
Correct Answer: Chevrolet Correct Answer Explanation: GM acquired Chevrolet in 1911. William C. Durant co-founded Chevrolet with Louis Chevrolet in 1911, making the car brand a successful enough part of GM that Durant later reacquired a controlling interest in GM after he was initially ousted in 1910.
General Motors originally started as a holding company for which of its now iconic car brands?
- Chevrolet
- Oldsmobile
- Cadillac
- Buick
Correct Answer: Buick Correct Answer Explanation: GM’s origins were in the horse-drawn vehicle market, but when William C. Durant acquired the Buick Motor Company, he formed General Motors as a holding company, borrowing a naming convention from General Electric, in 1908. The first half of the 20th century saw the company grow into an automotive behemoth through acquisitions, such as Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Chevrolet.
Which innovative and now ubiquitous feature was first patented in 1911 by GM?
- The electric starter
- The gas-powered engine
- The automatic transmission
- The rear-view mirror
Correct Answer: The electric starter Correct Answer Explanation: Charles F. Kettering of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO) and Henry M. Leland invented and patented the first electric starter in America in 1911. The electric starter, a major innovation that made cars easier to start and helped to improve the overall user experience, became standard equipment in American cars soon after.
GM’s first acquisition in 1908 was what car brand?
- Oldsmobile
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
Correct Answer: Buick Correct Answer Explanation: The first acquisition GM made after Durant formed the company in 1908 was Buick, a brand he already owned before the holding company was formed.
Which of the following car brands is NOT owned by General Motors?
- Buick
- Cadillac
- GMC
- Ford
Correct Answer: Ford Correct Answer Explanation: GM owns the car brands Buick, Cadillac, and GMC, but Ford is a separate and independent car manufacturer.
What was the name of the first successful, affordable automatic transmission that GM introduced in 1939?
- The Powerglide
- The Hydramatic
- The Turbo Hydramatic
- The AutoStick
Correct Answer: The Hydramatic Correct Answer Explanation: The Hydramatic was the first affordable and successful automatic transmission that GM introduced in 1939 for the 1940 Oldsmobile. It became a popular feature in GM’s vehicles, paving the way for the widespread adoption of automatic transmissions in cars.
GM formed a partnership with which company to design and manufacture the Lunar Roving Vehicle?
- Boeing
- Lockheed
- Northrop Grumman
- SpaceX
Correct Answer: Boeing Correct Answer Explanation: In 1971, GM’s Delco Defense Electronics Division, in partnership with Boeing, designed and manufactured the Lunar Roving Vehicle that traversed the surface of the Moon during the Apollo missions. This collaboration showcased their engineering prowess and their contribution to space exploration.
Which GM brand of vehicles was discontinued in 2010?
- Pontiac
- Saturn
- Oldsmobile
- Saab
Correct Answer: Pontiac Correct Answer Explanation: GM discontinued its Pontiac brand in 2010. This move was part of its strategic restructuring following the bailout and bankruptcy. The Pontiac brand had been part of GM since 1926 and was a popular choice for American car buyers for many years.
In 2009, after receiving a bailout, GM filed for what type of legal action in order to restructure?
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Chapter 9 Bankruptcy
Correct Answer: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Correct Answer Explanation: After receiving a $17.4 billion bailout, GM was unable to turn around its finances. In 2009, President Barack Obama forced the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner. As part of the restructuring process, GM filed for a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization, which allowed the company to restructure its finances and emerge as a new entity.
What is the name of the first battery electric vehicle that GM released in 1996?
- Chevrolet Volt
- General Motors EV1
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Cadillac Lyriq
Correct Answer: General Motors EV1 Correct Answer Explanation: The General Motors EV1 was the first battery electric vehicle that GM released in 1996. It was available only via lease and was discontinued in 2002. The EV1 was a pioneer in the electric vehicle market, but it faced challenges related to profitability and competition.
Which of the following is a name of a subsidiary of General Motors?
- Cruise
- Tesla
- Rivian
- Lucid
Correct Answer: Cruise Correct Answer Explanation: Cruise is a subsidiary of General Motors that focuses on developing self-driving cars. Cruise was acquired by GM in 2016 and has been developing autonomous vehicles for ride-sharing fleets.
In 2014, GM faced a major recall for faulty what in its cars?
- Ignition switches
- Tires
- Batteries
- Airbags
Correct Answer: Ignition switches Correct Answer Explanation: In 2014, GM faced a major recall for faulty ignition switches in its vehicles. This recall affected millions of cars and was linked to at least 124 deaths. The recall resulted in significant financial penalties for GM and led to a loss of trust among consumers.
Who was the first female CEO of General Motors?
- Mary Barra
- Brenda Barnes
- Ursula Burns
- Indra Nooyi
Correct Answer: Mary Barra Correct Answer Explanation: Mary Barra became the first female CEO of General Motors on January 15, 2014, succeeding Daniel Akerson. She also joined the GM board at the same time. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in the automotive industry and highlighted the increasing diversity in corporate leadership.
The GM bailout in 2009 was part of what government program?
- Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- The Federal Reserve
Correct Answer: Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Correct Answer Explanation: The GM bailout was part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which was a government program created in 2008 to stabilize the financial system during the financial crisis. The government invested billions of dollars into GM and other companies to prevent their collapse and help them restructure.
The “new” General Motors was formed in 2009 after a government-backed what type of action?
- Merger
- Acquisition
- Bankruptcy
- Reorganization
Correct Answer: Bankruptcy Correct Answer Explanation: The “new” General Motors was formed in 2009 after a government-backed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The original General Motors sold assets and some subsidiaries to an entirely new company, including the trademark “General Motors,” freeing the companies of many liabilities and resulting in a new GM.
GM’s “Mark of Excellence” logo was used for how many years?
- 10
- 20
- 40
- 60
Correct Answer: 60 Correct Answer Explanation: The “Mark of Excellence” logo was introduced by GM in 1964 at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and remained the company’s main corporate identifier until 2021. It symbolized the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and design.
In 1973, GM’s Oldsmobile Toronado was the first retail car sold with what safety feature?
- Anti-lock brakes
- Traction control
- Passenger airbags
- Seatbelts
Correct Answer: Passenger airbags Correct Answer Explanation: The Oldsmobile Toronado, in 1973, was the first retail car sold with a passenger airbag. The airbag, a groundbreaking safety technology, was designed to help protect passengers in a frontal collision.
What is the name of GM’s dedicated brand for all-electric commercial vehicles?
- BrightDrop
- Cruise
- OnStar
- ACDelco
Correct Answer: BrightDrop Correct Answer Explanation: GM launched BrightDrop, its brand for all-electric commercial vehicles, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2021. The brand focuses on developing sustainable and efficient delivery solutions for businesses.
In 2016, GM made its first investment in which rideshare company?
- Lyft
- Uber
- Via
- Juno
Correct Answer: Lyft Correct Answer Explanation: GM made its first investment in a ride-sharing company in 2016 when it invested $500 million in Lyft. This move highlighted GM’s commitment to the future of mobility and its interest in the growing ride-sharing market.
GM plans to end production of vehicles using internal combustion engines by what year?
- 2025
- 2030
- 2035
- 2040
Correct Answer: 2035 Correct Answer Explanation: In January 2021, GM announced its plan to end production and sales of fossil-fuel vehicles, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids, by 2035 as part of its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
The UAW labor union organized which famous strike against GM in 1936-1937?
- The Flint Sit-Down Strike
- The Detroit Sit-Down Strike
- The Toledo Sit-Down Strike
- The Cleveland Sit-Down Strike
Correct Answer: The Flint Sit-Down Strike Correct Answer Explanation: The 1936-1937 Flint Sit-Down Strike against General Motors was a pivotal event in labor history. It transformed the United Auto Workers (UAW) from a collection of isolated local unions into a major labor union and led to the unionization of the American automobile industry.
In the 1960s, GM attempted to discredit consumer advocate Ralph Nader after his criticism of the Chevrolet Corvair. What was one of the tactics GM used against Nader?
- Hiring private detectives to tap his phone and investigate his past.
- Hiring prostitutes to trap him in compromising situations.
- Planting false stories in newspapers about Nader.
- All of the above.
Correct Answer: All of the above. Correct Answer Explanation: GM engaged in a series of unethical and illegal actions to try to discredit Ralph Nader after he published his book “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” GM hired private detectives to tap his phones, investigate his past, and hire prostitutes to try to trap him in compromising situations, and they planted false stories in newspapers about him.
In the 2000s, GM was sued for its role in providing vehicles to the South African security forces during what era of South African history?
- The Boer War
- Apartheid
- The Anglo-Zulu War
- The Second World War
Correct Answer: Apartheid Correct Answer Explanation: In 2002, a group of South Africans represented by the Khulumani Support Group sued GM and other multinational corporations for their alleged roles in providing vehicles to the South African security forces during apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The company settled with the plaintiffs in 2012, agreeing to pay a sum of up to $1.5 million.
What was the name of the controversial GM program that involved deliberately dismantling streetcar systems in many cities in the United States?
- The Streetcar Conspiracy
- The Bus Conspiracy
- The Public Transport Conspiracy
- The Urban Transit Conspiracy
Correct Answer: The Streetcar Conspiracy Correct Answer Explanation: 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, intending to dismantle streetcar systems in many cities in the United States and make buses, sold by GM, the dominant form of public transport. This is commonly referred to as the “Streetcar Conspiracy.”