General Motors, commonly known as GM, was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan, by William C. Durant, and grew into one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. The company built its reputation across a portfolio of brands including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and GMC, serving markets ranging from mass-market economy cars to luxury vehicles and commercial trucks. GM is notably associated with the EV1, a dedicated battery-electric vehicle produced from 1996 to 1999 and leased exclusively to consumers in select U.S. markets, making it one of the first mass-produced modern electric cars from a major manufacturer. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009 during the global financial crisis, underwent a government-backed restructuring, and emerged as a reorganized entity later that same year. GM remains headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and continues to produce vehicles under its surviving brands, with a stated strategic focus on electric vehicle development.