The Life of William Crapo Durant – GM’s Founder

William Crapo Durant: The Pioneer of the Global Automotive Industry

When discussing the history of the global automotive industry, one cannot overlook the immense contributions made by William Crapo Durant. As the founder of General Motors, one of the world’s largest automotive corporations, Durant’s impact on the industry cannot be underestimated.

“William Crapo Durant”

Regarded as a highly skilled manager and businessman, Durant’s career was not without controversy. Nevertheless, his accomplishments in the early 20th century are truly commendable.

Learning from Life’s Lessons

William Crapo Durant was born in 1861 into a humble family in Boston, USA. At the age of 14, his family relocated to Flint, Michigan. Durant exhibited remarkable intelligence and resourcefulness from a young age.

However, Durant’s unconventional approach hindered his academic success. He often questioned teachers when he found their methods unreasonable.

When Durant had a heated argument with his principal at the age of 16, he made the tough decision to drop out of school and support himself and his mother. While his mother was saddened by his choice, Durant’s determination was unshakeable.

Despite this setback, Durant was willing to take on any job and displayed a natural talent for business. He started as a wood seller for a cousin before transitioning to selling patent medicine. Recognizing the greater profitability of selling cigarettes, Durant made the switch.

At the age of 18, thanks to his energy and agility, Durant was offered a position at a real estate company. Here, he honed his accounting skills and gained valuable knowledge about finance and banking while selling home insurance for the company.

Through his connections, Durant found employment as an accountant for a clean water company in Flint. Shortly after starting, the company faced a crisis, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Despite being just an accountant, Durant possessed keen insights into the underlying causes of the company’s financial woes.

Recognizing his talent, Durant was promoted to a key position, marking a turning point for the struggling water company. His exceptional ideas and unwavering determination helped steer the company away from bankruptcy, transforming it into a profitable enterprise within two years of restructuring.

The water company’s success fueled Durant’s desire for further business independence. At less than 25 years old, filled with ideas and aspirations, Durant was determined to bring his vision to life.

Entering the Automobile Industry: Life or Death Gamble

William Crapo Durant initially had little interest in the fledgling automobile industry when he was in his twenties. His primary focus was establishing his own company, even though capital was scarce. He turned to banks for loans to fund his ventures, relying heavily on their support and supervision.

In 1886, Durant boldly borrowed $1,500, alongside his friend Durant Dort, to purchase a horse-drawn carriage manufacturing workshop. They established the Durant-Dort Company, specializing in producing wooden carts. Thanks to Durant’s business acumen and managerial skills, the company flourished.

The horse-drawn carriages sold exceptionally well, swiftly elevating Durant to a wealthy and prominent position in Michigan. In 1895, the company achieved record-breaking horse-drawn carriage sales, totaling $75,000.

Despite these successes, Durant suffered significant losses through stock investments, prompting him to realize that his forte lay in operational business management.

Moreover, after over a decade of horse-drawn carriage manufacturing during their golden age, Durant foresaw the rise of motor vehicles, which would eventually replace horse-drawn carriages.

In 1905, Durant made a life-defining gamble. Despite lacking the required $1.5 million, he risked it all to acquire Buick, an automobile manufacturing company owned by a Scottish engine designer. To finance the acquisition, Durant sought extensive financial support from banks.

Recognizing the imminent explosion of the automobile industry, Durant dedicated all his efforts and time to build his own car manufacturing company. As owner and director, he not only oversaw design projects, production organization, sales advertising, and financial management, but also delved into intricate details, despite the company’s rapid growth and thousands of employees. Durant’s ambitious nature compelled him to invest heavily in pursuit of his goals.

The economic crisis at the end of 1907 led to the bankruptcy of numerous small and medium-sized companies lacking financial strength. Fortunately, Buick Motor Company survived, but Durant recognized the need to form new alliances to remain competitive.

The Birth of General Motors Corporation

Durant engaged in multiple meetings and negotiations with Henry Ford and Ransom Olds, who would later become his major competitors at General Motors. He mobilized investment funds from banks and acquired several small automotive equipment companies, subsequently merging and restructuring them within the production department of Buick Motors.

Once again, he embarked on a risky venture involving numerous small companies, despite the parent company, Buick, having modest operations. Durant’s resolute and daring nature is also apparent in the fact that the majority of the funds came from bank investments. Consequently, he faced considerable pressure and control from the banks.

In 1908, Buick Motors Corporation was renamed General Motors Corporation, with Durant assuming the role of major shareholder, Chairman, and CEO. Competing with rapidly growing automobile manufacturers, especially Ford, demanded relentless effort from Durant.

While possessing astute management skills, Durant lacked the ability to design innovative models like Henry Ford. Faced with intense competition and no new car models available, Durant resorted to modifying subtle details of the oldest car models, launching them in the market.

This decision left engineers and technical staff skeptical. However, Durant’s persistence stemmed from his concern that the company had no new products to compete with. He directed the production of wider and longer Oldtimes cars, which were part of the first generation, to provide a more comfortable seated and stretching experience for customers. These cars were mass-produced successfully.

The luxurious Cadillac line within General Motors materialized from Chairman Durant’s oral orders.

In 1911, under pressure from shareholders and banks, Durant stepped down as General Motors’ CEO. Yet, with the financial support of some investors, he founded Chevrolet Motors, a new car manufacturing company. Surprisingly, within just three years, Durant’s car company became profitable, defying expectations and garnering admiration.

Chevrolet Motors recorded a net profit exceeding $1.3 million in 1915, while General Motors was struggling and hemorrhaging money. Once again, William Crapo Durant assumed the positions of Chairman and CEO of General Motors.

Durant significantly contributed to General Motors’ ascension to become the world’s largest automobile corporation, capturing substantial market share. Following his departure from General Motors, Durant established another family car manufacturing company named Durant Motors.

Th?o Anh (According to TTTĐ/ Source: Tổng hợp)