Who came first, Ford or Chevy?
Ford Motor Company predates Chevrolet by eight years; Ford was founded in 1903, while Chevrolet was established in 1911.
In this article, we trace the origins of these landmark automakers, who founded them, and how their early choices influenced the evolution of the American auto industry. We place their founding dates in context, examine the strategies that defined their early years, and consider how their rivalry helped shape mass-produced, affordable cars.
Founding timelines
To understand which company came first, a concise chronological look at the key founding dates and founders is helpful.
- 1903 – Ford Motor Company founded by Henry Ford and a group of investors; incorporation on June 16, 1903, in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford would soon pioneer mass production techniques and the Model T.
- 1911 – Chevrolet Motor Company founded by William C. Durant and Louis Chevrolet; established November 3, 1911. Chevrolet would grow into a major brand within General Motors after a later merger/acquisition.
These dates clearly show Ford’s earlier entry into the automotive market and set the stage for decades of competition between the two brands.
Context and consequences
Ford's mass production revolution
Henry Ford industrialized mass production through the moving assembly line, enabling higher output, lower costs, and the widespread availability of affordable vehicles. The Model T, introduced in 1908, became the archetype of affordable transportation and helped redefine consumer culture in the United States.
Chevrolet's growth within General Motors
Chevrolet’s formation, led by Durant and backed by Louis Chevrolet’s engineering prowess, positioned the brand to compete on value and scale. In 1918, General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Chevrolet, integrating it into GM’s broader lineup and helping it become a cornerstone of one of the world’s largest automotive groups.
Summary
In short, Ford came first with its 1903 establishment, while Chevrolet followed in 1911 and later became part of General Motors in 1918. The early years of Ford and Chevrolet set the standard for mass production, brand differentiation, and consumer accessibility that defined the automotive industry for the rest of the 20th century and beyond.
Who came first, Chevy or Ford?
The Ford Motor Company was the first brand as it was founded in 1903 by the very famous Henry Ford. Eight years later, Louis Chevrolet and William Durant started Chevrolet in 1911 and three years later in 1914 the Dodge brothers, Horace Elgin Dodge and John Francis Dodge, founded the “Dodge Brothers” brand.
What was the very first car brand?
The first car brand is Benz, founded by Karl Benz in 1886 to manufacture and sell the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the world's first practical automobile. The company later merged with Daimler's company to become the brand that is now known as Mercedes-Benz.
- Founder: Karl Benz
- First car: The Benz Patent-Motorwagen, patented in 1886.
- Legacy: Benz's company, Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik Benz & Cie., was the first automobile manufacturer.
- Modern descendant: Today, the brand is a part of Mercedes-Benz, which is considered the oldest car manufacturer in the world.
Did Ford outsell Chevy in 1957?
Despite its popularity, rival Ford outsold Chevrolet for the 1957 model year for the first time since 1935. The main cause of the sales shift to Ford was that the 1957 Chevrolet had tubeless tires, the first car to have them.
Who won more races, Ford or Chevy?
Chevrolet has won more races than Ford in NASCAR. Chevrolet is the winningest brand in NASCAR, with over 850 top-division race wins, compared to Ford's 722 wins, according to the Nascar Hall of Fame and USA Network.
- Total wins: Chevrolet has a higher number of individual race wins in the top NASCAR series.
- Manufacturers' Championships: Chevrolet has also won significantly more NASCAR Manufacturers' Championships, with 40 compared to Ford's 14, reports MARCA and this Facebook post from July 2024.
- Driver's Championships: Chevrolet has also earned more driver titles than Ford.
