1974 Air bags for all front seat occupants were introduced for large Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac sedans.
1975 GM was the first manufacturer to fit catalytic converters to its entire car lineup.
1977 Large Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac sedans were downsized in response to the first energy crisis.
1978 Class-action suits erupted over the use of Chevrolet engines in Buicks, Oldsmobiles, and Pontiacs.
1979 GM manufacturing plants were added in Spain and Austria.
1980 Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac introduced the first US compacts with front-wheel drive. Suffering from an 18-percent drop in the US car and truck market, GM reported its first net loss in 59 years.
1981 Roger Smith became chairman and CEO.
1982 Buick Skylark, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevy Cavalier, Oldsmobile Firenza, and Pontiac J-2000 J cars were introduced to stem rising imports. GM's World of Motion exhibit opened at Florida's EPCOT Center. GM purchased a 10-percent stake in Suzuki and announced plans for that manufacturer to supply Chevrolet with small cars and SUVs.
1983 A liaison was established with Korea's Daewoo Motor Company. The $200-million Buick City amalgamation of several Flint, Michigan, plants was announced. GM celebrated its 75th anniversary.
1984 Electronic Data Systems was purchased for $2.5-billion. Founder H. Ross Perot joined GM's board of directors.
1985 GM and Toyota began manufacturing the Chevrolet Nova and Toyota Corolla at a Fremont, California, joint-venture plant called New United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI). Saturn Corporation was formed to combat imports.
1986 Group Lotus was purchased. H. Ross Perot resigned and sold his GM stock.
1987 Cadillac and Pininfarina began manufacturing the Allante two-seat convertible.
1988 Front-drive Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Pontiac Grand Prix coupes were introduced as consumer demand shifted towards sedans. GM's invested over $4-billion in the changeover.
1989 Chevrolet launched the Geo nameplate for small vehicles manufactured by Isuzu, Suzuki, and Toyota. GM purchased a 50-percent interest in Saab.
1990 Robert Stempel replaced Roger Smith as Chairman and CEO. The Impact electric-powered concept car was displayed at Los Angeles auto show and production intent was announced. Third- and fourth-quarter losses totaled $3.7-billion.
1991 Saturn coupes and sedans went on sale. GM stock fell to $27, a four-year low, the result of continued losses, while its US market share held steady at 35-percent.
1992 A top management shakeup resulted in John Smale, a Procter & Gamble retiree, replacing Stempel as chairman. GM losses for the year were a staggering $23.5-billion.
1993 A $2.5-billion profit was reported.
1994 Daytime running lights were voluntarily added to 600,000 GM vehicles following studies that credited them with reducing accidents. ...next page >>