I10061 - GM Assembly line - 1922
Henry Ford was the first automaker to use the assembly line to manufacture automobiles. However, General Motors also embraced new ideas on the plant floor.
In 1922, GM hires William Knudsen to lead Chevrolet’s turnaround. Knudsen implements flexible mass production, which helps Chevrolet incorporate annual styling changes and take market share from Ford. Seen here, assembly line workers attach tires to GM vehicles.
Along with acquisitions and shrewd business moves, GM became the world's largest enterprise for most of the 20th century.