General Motors is the fourth largest carmaker in the world based on global sales, and employs 266,000 people. It is the second-largest in the Fortune Global 500 list. Also known as GM, it was founded in 1908. Its headquarters are in Detroit, Michigan.The GM brands are:

• Chevrolet
• GMC
• Buick
• Cadillac
• Pontian
• Saturn
• Opel
• Saab
• Wuling
• Vauxhall
• GM Daewoo
• Holden
• Hummer

According to the Fortune Global 500, GM is the 9th-largest public firm in the world (Toyota is 5th). Despite its massive size, the company has run into problems recently. In 2007 it suffered a loss of $38.7 billion dollars. This loss can be attributed to the following:

1. The recent financial crisis in the US which left little liquidity between banks, thus reducing their ability or appetite to give car loans
2. A general hubristic disregard for consumer needs
3. A history of producing gas-guzzling products
4. Inferior quality standards (compared to Japanese rivals)

Towards the end of 2008, GM, along with the other Detroit manufacturers (Ford and Chrysler) have been in talks with the House Financial Services Committee on a bailout. Read more about the GM bailout.