This Day

December 12, 2000 – GM announces end of Oldsmobile

At the time Oldsmobile closed its doors in 2004 it was the oldest surviving American car brand at 107 years old. It was a fate that was first announced on this day in 2000 when General Motors (GM) stated its plans to phase out Oldsmobile. 

Ransom E Olds. Top: Olds Curved Dash

Ransom E. Olds founded the company in 1897 as the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Michigan. It soon became the first high output manufacturer of gas-powered automobiles. The company produced 4,000 units in 1903 at a time when other automakers averaged just 1,272. The numbers grew with the introduction of the first automotive assembly line, which churned out the Olds Curved Dash. Henry Ford would later enhance automobile production using first the moving assembly line

in the industry.

GM cited profitability as its primary reason for shutting down Oldsmobile. After its initial announcement, Olds survived another four years. On April 29, 2004 the last Oldsmobile, an Alero GLS sedan, rolled out of the factory. As it moved along the assembly line each worker that had a hand in it signed the vehicle.

The last Oldsmobile, a 2004 Alero, signed by all the workers who assembled it.
Brian Corey

Recent Posts

December 15, 1969 – The last Plymouth Superbird

The story of the Plymouth Superbird and its development is fairly well-known, so we won't…

1 week ago

December 14, 1987 – AMC Eagle production ends

1983 AMC Eagle Wagon. By Christopher Ziemnowicz The history of American Motors Corporation (AMC) begins…

1 week ago

December 13, 1939 – The first Lincoln Continental

A first generation Lincoln Continental When Edsel Ford requested a personal luxury vehicle to use…

2 weeks ago

December 11, 1990 – The 1990 I-75 Fog Disaster

The 1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster stands as one of the most tragic and impactful…

2 weeks ago

December 10, 1915 – The 1,000,000th Ford

Ford Model T c.1915 Henry Ford had one goal: put the world on wheels. To…

2 weeks ago

December 9, 1969 – GM Builds the First 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6

The pilot RPO LS6 Chevelle (Russo & Steele) For a short time, a certain spec…

2 weeks ago