Was Chevy part of Ford?
No. Chevy is not part of Ford; Chevrolet is a brand and division of General Motors (GM). Ford operates as its own independent automaker.
To understand why this matters, it's helpful to look at the corporate lineage of the two names. Chevrolet began as a separate company in the early 20th century and was later brought under GM’s umbrella, while Ford has remained a standalone automaker since its founding in 1903.
Origins of Chevrolet
Here is a concise look at how Chevrolet came into existence and how it came to be associated with GM rather than Ford.
- 1911: Chevrolet Motor Company is founded by William C. Durant and Louis Chevrolet.
- 1918: General Motors purchases Chevrolet and integrates it as a GM division.
- 1920s–1960s: Chevrolet becomes GM’s mass‑market core brand in the United States and abroad.
The timeline highlights how Chevrolet emerged as an independent company and then became part of GM, shaping its long‑running corporate home.
Founders and early formation
Louis Chevrolet, a racer and engineer, partnered with industrialist William C. Durant to create a new brand aimed at competing with established automakers. The resulting Chevrolet Motor Company operated alongside GM for several years before its acquisition.
Chevrolet’s status within GM today
What happens behind the scenes today is straightforward: Chevrolet is one of GM’s core brands and has remained under GM ownership for more than a century.
- Chevrolet remains a brand and division of General Motors (GM).
- GM’s portfolio also includes GMC, Buick, and Cadillac, with Chevrolet serving as the mass‑market arm.
- Ford Motor Company, by contrast, operates as a separate automaker with its own brand portfolio.
These points show that Chevrolet’s corporate home is GM, not Ford, and that the two companies have operated independently for most of their histories.
Why the confusion sometimes arises
Because both GM and Ford are long‑standing American automakers with prominent Chevrolet and Ford brands, casual readers may conflate the brands. But the ownership records are clear: Chevrolet is GM, Ford is Ford.
Summary
In short: Chevrolet is not part of Ford. It is a long‑standing GM brand that originated as a separate company and was integrated into General Motors in 1918. Ford has remained an independent automaker throughout its history. The two brands compete in many of the same markets, but they belong to different corporate families.
Did Ford make Chevy?
No, Ford does not make Chevy; both are separate, competing American automakers. Chevrolet is a brand owned by General Motors (GM), while Ford is its own company. Ford also owns the Lincoln brand, while GM owns Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC.
- Ford Motor Company: This is the parent company for Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
- General Motors (GM): This is the parent company for Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles.
Who originally owned Chevy?
On November 3rd, 1911, the Chevrolet Motor Company was officially founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant in Detroit, Michigan. Over the next decade, the company saw unprecedented success in their vehicles' design, performance, and sales.
What brands has Ford owned?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln automotive brands, along with the Motorcraft auto parts brand. The company also owns Troller, a Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer, and operates numerous subsidiaries for services like automotive finance through Ford Motor Credit Company. While it once owned Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, these were sold off, and its stake in Aston Martin was sold in 2020.
Current brands
- Ford: The original and primary brand, offering a wide range of vehicles, from cars and trucks to SUVs.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury vehicle division.
- Troller: A Brazilian manufacturer of off-road vehicles.
- Motorcraft: A brand of auto parts and service.
Other assets
- Ford Motor Credit Company: Provides automotive financing services.
- Subsidiaries: Ford owns various international subsidiaries in countries like Canada, Brazil, China, and Australia.
- Joint Ventures: Ford has joint ventures, such as a 50/50 partnership in China with Changan Ford.
Previously owned brands
- Mercury: Discontinued in 2010.
- Jaguar and Land Rover: Sold to Tata Motors.
- Volvo: Sold to the Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
- Aston Martin: Ford sold its stake in 2020, and the brand is now controlled by other investors.
Is Chevrolet owned by Ford?
No, Chevrolet is not owned by Ford. Chevrolet is a brand of the General Motors (GM) Company, while Ford is a separate, independent company. GM also owns other brands, including Buick, Cadillac, and GMC.
- General Motors (GM): Owns Chevrolet, along with other brands like Buick, Cadillac, and GMC.
- Ford Motor Company: Owns Ford and Lincoln.
