1890 – 1930: Chevrolet Global Sales Begin

The groundwork for Chevrolet’s global presence was in place when industrialist William “Billy” Durant and Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet partnered to build automobiles in 1911.

The worldwide franchised dealer network Durant had created for the horse-drawn vehicles he manufactured in the 1890s, and export experience gained through involvement with other early automakers, proved valuable to the nascent Chevrolet brand.

The earliest-known reference to overseas shipment of Chevrolet cars is a Nov. 8, 1913 report noting that some of the recently introduced “H-Series” four-cylinder models had been exported from the United States to Europe and South Africa.

In 1922, future General Motors president William S. Knudsen moved into management at Chevrolet. He encouraged the development of GM plants on other continents to assemble vehicle “kits” manufactured in North America.

The first such plant was established in Copenhagen completed its first Chevrolet on Jan. 7, 1924. By 1929, there were 18 “overseas” assembly plants turning out Chevrolets in Europe, South America, South Africa, Java (now part of Indonesia), Australia and New Zealand. Chevrolet assembly operations in Poland and India began in 1928.

The Chevrolet “bowtie” badge was introduced into Asian markets during the 1920s. A dealer was appointed in the Chinese city now known as Xiamen in 1921. Chevrolets were assembled in Japan from 1926 to 1941.