What car brand is GM?
General Motors (GM) is the parent company behind several well-known car brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.
What GM stands for and what it does
GM stands for General Motors, an American multinational automaker founded in 1908. The company designs, manufactures, markets and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts around the world. The acronym is commonly used to refer to the corporate entity rather than a single consumer brand.
GM's current brand lineup
GM's consumer-facing brands today are four distinct names, each with its own market position and product focus. The list below identifies the core brands GM actively uses on the showroom floor worldwide:
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Buick
- Cadillac
GM's four-brand portfolio reflects a tiered strategy from mass-market to luxury, with Chevrolet targeting broad affordability, GMC focusing on trucks and SUVs, Buick offering premium mainstream vehicles, and Cadillac representing the luxury segment.
Historical or regional brands formerly associated with GM
Over the years, GM has operated several other brands that are no longer active as GM brands in major markets. The following list outlines some of the most notable examples and what happened to them.
- Opel (and its Vauxhall counterpart in the UK) — GM sold Opel/Vauxhall to Stellantis (PSA) in 2017; they operate under different ownership in Europe.
- Holden — GM's Australian subsidiary ceased manufacturing and brand operations in 2020; the Holden brand is no longer used for new vehicles there.
- Daewoo / GM Daewoo / GM Korea — GM's South Korean operations have evolved; the Daewoo name remains historically associated, while operations are now under GM Korea and the brand Daewoo is not used as a separate consumer brand.
- Pontiac — a long-running GM brand that was discontinued in 2010 as GM reorganized its portfolio.
- Saturn — GM retired the Saturn brand in 2010 as part of a restructuring.
- Saab — GM owned Saab Automobile for a period before selling it in 2010; the brand is no longer part of GM.
These changes illustrate GM's global strategy shifts, including divestitures, brand retirements and market restructuring to focus on core brands and new mobility ventures.
GM today: strategy and focus
Today GM emphasizes electrification and software-defined vehicles. The company pursues an all-electric lineup under the four main brands, backed by its Ultium battery platform and large-scale manufacturing footprint. It is also investing in autonomous driving through Cruise and expanding commercial EVs through BrightDrop, signaling a broader vision for mobility beyond traditional passenger cars.
Summary
GM stands for General Motors, the parent company behind Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Its corporate strategy centers on electrification, software, and mobility services, while it continues to operate as a multi-brand automaker with a global footprint. Historically, GM has operated other brands that have since been retired or sold, reflecting shifts in markets and strategy.
