GM began its overseas empire by buying established companies

GM's global milestones1911: GM Export Co. established to handle sales of vehicles outside North America.1918: GM of Canada Ltd. formed by purchase of McLaughlin Motor Car Co. McLaughlin car was based on Buick Model F.1923: GM opened first European assembly plant in Copenhagen, Denmark.1925: GM acquired Vauxhall Motors of Luton, England. General Motors do Brazil set up in Sao Paulo. GM established operations in Argentina, France and Germany.1928: GM India established.1929: GM bought Adam Opel AG in Germany. GM China opened headquarters in Shanghai.1931: General Motors-Holden's Ltd. formed by merger of Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd. and GM (Australia) Pty. Ltd.1935: Opel produced the Olympia, the first car built with an all-steel integrated body and frame. GM do Mexico started operations.1938: GM sales outside U.S. and Canada topped 350,000 units.1948: Holden's launched Australia's first mass-produced car.1972: GM joint venture began making vehicles in South Korea.1980: GM announced plans to build 5 European plants: 3 in Spain and 1 each in Austria and Northern Ireland.1986: GM acquired Lotus, English sports car maker.1989: GM bought 50 percent stake in Saab Automobile AB of Sweden.1993: GM sold Lotus.1999: GM joint venture began building Buick Regals in Shanghai.2000: GM opened modular assembly plant in Gravatai, Brazil.2002: GM agreed to buy most of the assets of Korean carmaker Daewoo Motor Co. The roots of General Motors' overseas subsidiaries reach back into the pre-automotive age to saddles, sewing machines, bicycles, marine engines and even mythical creatures and knights-errant.

GM began its overseas empire by buying established companies

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