General Motors is one of the world's largest and most diverse automakers. While the company owns eight brands, with only four available in the US, it has collaborated with other manufacturers over the years. Even though the automaker has gone through several controversies and released its share of terrible cars, many people worldwide still have easy mobility thanks to GM cars. However, given the varying quality of its cars, some owners probably are more thankful for their GM ride than others.

Updated June 2022: GM has been in the automotive game for a long time. While we may think we know much about this massive American auto manufacturer, there's a lot of information that many don't know about GM cars. That said, we've updated this article with some things that many people don't know about General Motors and its vehicles.

Related: 10 Things Gearheads Forgot About The Chevrolet El Camino SS

This vast corporation has produced many cars for numerous markets throughout its existence—no surprise given its broad reach and influence. As a result, many vehicles from this company are hiding a few secrets. Some models were designed to use special powertrains. Others were partially built by well-known, third-party businesses. Even if General Motors' products aren't always the most innovative, the conglomerate has developed some incredible automotive technologies, some of which wouldn't be available from outside companies until years after. Other times, GM's antiquated designs linger on well after competitors have left the segment. There are even a few rebadged cars that are surprisingly interesting. Here are 20 facts you didn't know about GM cars and trucks:

18 The Chevy Monza Was Designed For A Rotary Engine

Via Wikimedia

There's only one car company associated with making the best rotary engines, and that's Mazda. However, in the '70s, another company wanted to get in on the piston-less motor design. In its early development, GM's rotary engine was planned as an optional motor for the Vega, but that layout never came through. This motor was being designed under the idea that it would be a fuel-efficient and powerful alternative to other compact engine designs. While it didn't work out for the Vega, the newer Monza compact was intended to be powered by this strange motor. However, despite this expectation, the Monza debuted for the 1975 model year with conventional four-cylinder and V8 motors as the only options.

While the engine lineup did expand over the years, there was never a production-ready rotary-powered model. However, comparatively poor fuel economy and difficulties passing emissions standards killed off the motor. Apart from the Rotary failing for the Vega and Monza, its demise left another casualty gasping for power. AMC was planning to use it in their new Pacer model. Before this engine was canceled, it had one more interesting and noteworthy use: Chevy tried to use it and a four-rotor variant in a concept Corvette. Needless to say, that car never had a realistic chance at production.

17 McLaren Helped Develop The Buick GNX, But Not The McLaren We All Know

Via Flickr/Travis Isaacs

One thing that GM did right in the '80s and the '90s was transforming some of its blander vehicles into impressive performance machines. Even though many of these looked horrifically dull and ugly, a powerful motor and copious amounts of black paint made them far quicker and more attractive. While examples like the 1994 Impala SS and the GMC Syclone benefited greatly from these changes, the earliest and most well-known example is the Buick Grand National, one of the best-looking American cars from the 1980s. Based on the Buick Regal, the Grand National used a turbocharged V6 rather than a V8, allowing it to accelerate quicker than any other muscle car.

The quickest variant was the final-year-only GNX, as it produced 300 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, resulting in, according to Buick, a zero-to-60 time of 5.4 seconds. The reason for this power increase was due to who built the motor. While not the same company that built the McLaren F1 supercar, the GNX's new performance came from ASC/McLaren, who installed a new turbo with a bigger boost and tuned the ECU to maximize horsepower.

16 GM's Last Big Block And First Hybrid Was The Silverado

Via IFCAR

In most countries, trucks are hardly the most futuristic vehicles on the road, except in America, where a pickup truck is the work vehicle, the weekend getaway off-roader, and the luxury family hauler. Trucks ride on simple platforms, have boxy styling, and are often powered by rudimentary V8 motors. Rarely do companies showcase their latest and most remarkable technologies on their new trucks. That said, the versatility of these vehicles and the variety of options attract many buyers every year. The Chevy Silverado sells exceptionally well, only falling behind the ridiculously popular Ford F-Series. During its first generation, the heavy-duty model could be equipped with an enormous 8.1-liter V8, the last of Chevy's big-block V8s. It was dropped after 2007 due to poor sales and terrible fuel economy.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Buick Encore GX

These days, nobody would ever settle for such a thirsty motor. However, GM showed its eco-friendly side with models like the EV1 and the electric-drive S10 pickup from the late '90s. It wouldn't be too long before the company would sell a hybrid vehicle, and it would be unlike their other alternative fuel experiments. GM's first-ever production hybrid was the 2004 Silverado with a mild hybrid system. It later became a full-hybrid design for its second generation. It's not often that a model is offered with such polar-opposite powertrains.

15 GM Sold A Lotus-Built Sports Car

Via Flickr/The Car Spy

Lotus is one of the few companies that sell cars explicitly built for spirited driving and nothing else. Its models are built around lightweight designs and provide unparalleled handling. Given the brand's handling know-how, Lotus has worked with other companies from time to time. GM organized a deal with the small British company, where Lotus would build an open-top sports car for the Vauxhall, Opel, and Daewoo brands. Known as the Speedster for Opel and Daewoo and VX220 for Vauxhall, these cars featured GM powerplants and dual airbags, which weren't available on the Elise of the time.

While the Lotus Elise used either a 1.8-liter Rover engine in early cars or a Toyota motor of the same displacement in later examples, the Speedster was powered by larger GM powerplants. Standard models had a 2.2-liter four-cylinder that produced 144 horsepower, but the premium option was a 2.0-liter turbo motor. In its most powerful variant, the VXR220 Turbo, this car's motor produced 216 horsepower. That engine allowed this lightweight vehicle to accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. While these cars don't have the prestigious Lotus badge, they're still great sports cars.

14 The Corvair Was Chevy's Most Unique Model

Via Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen

Standard three-box sedans were always at the top of the food chain regarding family cars. These days, such models are struggling to retain their grasp on the market, as economical yet more practical crossovers are replacing them. Sedans generally haven't changed much over the decades. Almost every example has the same layout. While older sedans had their engines mounted at the front, driving the rear wheels, the Corvair was different. It had a rear-mounted motor, with its trunk relocated to the front.

This was Chevrolet's first example of such a layout. The model was powered by an air-cooled flat-six motor, another first for the company. The Corvair was meant to be a practical family hauler that didn't succumb to problems of more traditional layouts, such as transmission tunnels. Furthermore, the Corvair was a modular design, as it was offered as a sedan, a wagon, a coupe, a convertible, a van, and a pickup. The latter two had unique bodies that didn't resemble the standard car. The car could also be equipped with a turbocharger, increasing power to 180 horsepower. Unfortunately, the model became known for being dangerous due to a Ralph Nader-published book, greatly damaging the car's legacy.

13 The Chevy Impala Was The Last Car With A Front Bench Seat

Via Wikimedia

Few cars are as long-lasting and varied as the Impala. It was a large sedan with a lineup of V8 motors, plenty of room, and, if appropriately equipped, performed like a pro. The SS variants often had a big motor lurking under the hood. Arguably, the last traditional Impala was the 1994-96 Impala SS, which offered impressive performance for a full-size sedan.

The ninth-generation Impala was replaced by a newer and vastly improved model in 2012. The ninth-generation Impala continued its production in fleet sales as the Impala Limited until 2016. By then, the Impala Limited was the only car that could be equipped with a front bench seat. This interior layout seats up to six passengers, but many sedans ditched this practical format in the 2000s, leaving pickups as the only car segment selling benched cars.

12 Cadillac Built The Largest Production V8

Via Wikimedia

Today Cadillac is trying to reinvent itself as a modern luxury company. Since current luxury car buyers are interested in combining performance, technology, and comfort, Cadillac has been working hard to develop performance cars, particularly in its 'V' lineup. Before the 2000s, the company had little to nothing to offer in terms of performance. Even though Cadillacs of the '60s and the '70s had enormous V8 motors, they weren't used for muscle-car acceleration.

Related: 10 Features That Make The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali The Ultimate Luxury Truck

They were designed to be smooth and move the car effortlessly. Despite this, huge motors were popular in the luxury segment. As a result, Cadillac and Lincoln got into a displacement war, where 7.0 liters just wasn't enough for their newest land barges. Both manufacturers kept increasing engine displacements until fuel economy legislation prevented further growth. Even though one may expect the largest production V8 motor to be found in a muscle car or a supercar, that claim instead falls to 1970s Cadillacs. While Lincoln stopped at 462 cubic inches or 7.6 liters, Cadillac rounded out to an even 500 cubes or 8.2 liters. When it first came out, it produced an impressive 400 horsepower and 550 lb.-ft of torque, but the final year of production only managed a pathetic 190 horsepower.

11 General Motors Sold Airbags In The '70s

Via Wikimedia

It's no secret that safety wasn't the biggest concern for consumers in the past. Few, if any, older cars are safer in an accident than a modern vehicle. Few cars have multiple passive safety systems such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, and retracting seat belts. Many older cars don't even have three-point seatbelts for every passenger. Not that it would've mattered, as many states didn't have seatbelt regulations until the '80s and '90s. Most automakers weren't rushing to develop new technologies that buyers weren't interested in. However, in 1974, GM launched the optional Air Cushion Restraint System, which was basically an airbag setup.

While this was an early-production example of an airbag, it was surprisingly well thought out. Not only did it include a new steering wheel with a driver's airbag, but there was a larger one for two passengers in the front bench seat. And this system worked, too, as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested two preproduction Impalas with this system, and the airbags deployed despite both cars having high mileage. These airbags were available on various full-size GM models, such as the Buick Electra, the Oldsmobile Toronado, and most Cadillacs, but the option was discontinued after 1976.

10 Cadillac's First Hybrid Was The Escalade

Via Flickr/ Derrick Noh

Technology is perhaps the biggest selling point when it comes to luxury cars. While comfort and build quality are always desirable, people want their expensive new car to have the latest and greatest features. Today, the biggest technological draws are advanced safety options and sophisticated infotainment systems that can order Starbucks on the freeway. Cadillac has struggled with this idea for a while, particularly due to its troublesome soft-touch button layout and a poorly engineered touchscreen interface. It probably doesn't help that Cadillacs often don't have the most attractive interiors either. However, for the 2009 model year, Cadillac entered the popular and eco-friendly hybrid segment. It was a reasonable time for such a development, given the $4 gas prices of the time.

While a hybrid CTS or an entirely new model may have made more sense, Cadillac decided to make their large, thirsty Escalade a little more efficient. This makes sense since the Escalade has been one of the best-selling Cadillacs. While the Escalade lost about 20 horsepower in its hybrid conversion, it returned some impressive fuel economy digits. Surprisingly, the Hybrid Escalade was discontinued in 2013.

9 The Hummer H2 Isn't A Tahoe

Via Flickr/Nicholas D.

The early 2000s saw a lot of experimentation, particularly in the SUV segment. Automakers were trying their hardest to figure out what would be the next hit in this new automotive landscape. Perhaps the most successful and influential model was the Lexus RX line of crossovers. This model appealed to customers looking for a tall and practical vehicle that returned decent gas mileage and was easy to drive. Failures included the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Pontiac Aztek, and the Hummer H2. While the original H1 is the one Hummer that people tend to like still, the H2 was popular when it was first released, despite modern opinions.

The new Hummer featured bold styling and plenty of off-road goodies. This, combined with its enormous size, made it a unique offering for the American public. At the time of its release, GM was expanding its full-size SUV lineup with models like the Cadillac Escalade, the GMC Yukon Denali, and the Chevy Avalanche. This led to speculation that the H2 was riding on the same platform as those other models. However, the H2 was an amalgamation of multiple GM truck platforms. It features a heavy-duty 2500 series truck front end and a modified 1500 rear end joined via a unique midsection.

8 What Does Camaro Mean?

Via Flickr/Kai Lehmann

Cars are often named after something already existing, usually defaulting to something rugged and masculine, such as the Raptor or the Challenger. Automakers sometimes use a sophisticated-sounding foreign term, such as Cascada. But rarely are car names entirely made up. Introduced to challenge the Ford Mustang, the Camaro was unveiled in 1966, prompting many automotive journalists to ask the same question: "What is a Camaro?"

Chevy's response was rather straightforward, "a small vicious animal that eats Mustangs." It's probably safe to say that Chevy made no friends at Ford that day. The resulting model very much lived up to that description, as the Camaro would end up stealing sales from Ford's pony and providing superior performance during specific years. While the Camaro is a desirable car in its own right, its existence is heavily based on Chevy's desire to beat the Mustang. Besides the original model, the Camaro's return in 2010 responded to Ford's successful retro muscle car from 2005. Today, the Camaro has its ZL1 1LE package designed to compete with the Shelby GT350R track car. While the Camaro's history is firmly intertwined with Ford's Pony, it's still one impressive machine.

7 The Buick Park Avenue Had A Supercharger Option

Via IFCAR

Given Buick's traditional and conservative consumer base, it's no surprise that the company rarely makes interesting or fast cars. If Buick had kept selling models like the GNX and the Gran Sport muscle cars, then maybe the brand wouldn't be seen as an "old person's" car like it is today. While its modern crossovers have helped pick up sales, it's still not a trendy-enough brand to have mainstream appeal in the US. Models like the Park Avenue are why Buick has had an uphill battle to change buyer perception. The Park Avenue featured simple, traditional lines in an attempt to avoid scaring off conservative buyers in the 2000s.

Its basic, leather-lined interior with double bench seats and a column shifter wasn't about to impress Mercedes buyers either. However, despite its uninteresting lines and bland design touches, this grandma's car could be equipped with a rather exciting motor. With the Ultra trim, the Park Avenue came standard with a supercharged 3.8-liter V6, an engine known for its incredible durability. And with 240 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, this old-school Buick offered stout acceleration. The V6 can also be easily modified for more power if need be.

6 Buick Is A Bestselling Brand... In China

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America's domestic brands have usually remained successful, but not all have managed to earn their keep throughout the years. If there's one GM company that's seen the brink of death and managed to survive, it would be Buick. After producing many underwhelming mid-tier luxury cars throughout the 2000s, the brand was restructured to produce much higher-quality vehicles and sell a couple of crossovers to attract a wider audience. However, that only applies to the Buick brand in the US. While other American brands have floundered in most foreign countries, Buick has never had trouble selling cars in China. Even if Buick had been pulled from the US, there's little chance of the company disappearing from this sizeable Asian market.

Buick sold 202,000 cars in the US in 2016, while it sold 1.1 million vehicles in the Chinese market. According to CNN, models like the Envision and the Excelle regularly sell over 30,000 examples per month. This popularity stems from some of China's earliest cars. Chinese leaders and wealthy citizens owned Buicks, cementing the brand into China's automotive landscape. As a result, Buick remains one of China's most popular brands, and it'll likely continue to outsell its American branch.

5 The Hurst/Olds Was A Quick Product Placement

Via Flickr/Mac Armstrong

It's not uncommon for automakers to sell cross-promoted cars. These days, the practice is being used less often, with such examples generally being limited to items such as audio systems, like Beats by Dre or Bose. In the 2000s, many cars were crossed with apparel companies, such as Ford Eddie Bauer editions or Subaru's LL Bean models. This was mostly done as a marketing gimmick to make the model appear more luxurious or rugged. However, two companies once joined together to create a faster car. Oldsmobile and Hurst, a company well-known for its aftermarket performance shifters, created the Hurst/Olds. Based on the 1968 Cutlass, this Oldsmobile featured a unique paint job, powerful engine options, and a unique center console and shifter.

The following year showcased a new model featuring the iconic white and gold paint job that would become a staple of Hurst vehicles. The Hurst/Olds wasn't a continuous model. Hurst occasionally partnered with other brands. However, the Hurst name would return to the Oldsmobile lineup. The final edition was released for '83 and '84 and featured a new paint scheme and the new unique Lightning Shifter, which allowed for quick and easy manual shifting with its automatic transmission.

4 The Fastest Buick Is A Lacrosse

Via IFCAR

Despite having a knack for making them, Buick isn't well known for its muscle cars. One of the few examples to become popular in the mainstream eye is the Buick Grand National and its incredible GNX variant. This turbocharged machine was the quickest Buick ever made, given its use of turbocharging and computer tuning. While this claim may appear to be unimpressive, the GNX remains a fast car even to this day. However, this big black muscle car doesn't currently hold the claim of being Buick's fastest car.

Today, that claim falls to the Buick LaCrosse Super. While the new LaCrosse is a competent vehicle, the first generation was an awful boring luxury sedan that wasn't even as plush or old-fashioned as the LeSabre it replaced. The Supermodel was noteworthy. It packed a 5.3-liter V8 under the hood that pumped 300 horsepower to the front wheels. This newfound power allowed the LaCrosse to top out at 156 mph, making it faster than the old turbo Buicks. Its chassis was also improved to make its front wheels handle the extra power. Despite the big V8 and the impressive top speed, it can't out-accelerate the old GNX.

3 The Chevy Silverado Is Used By The Military

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All three of America's big manufacturers have had a hand in developing military vehicles. While AM General, not General Motors, built the Humvee, the civilian model was sold by the latter. When it comes to making military vehicles, GM has at least one entry currently seeing use. Under circumstances where the Humvee isn't suitable for the job, Chevy sells the LSSV, short for "Light Service Support Vehicle," a truck heavily based on the civilian Silverado. This design first came around in the 1980s, called the "CUCV" or "Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle." These models were based on K5 Chevys and were available in multiple body styles. The CUCV models changed alongside the civilian models and were powered by diesel powertrains. Currently, the LSSV is available only in pickup form and is primarily used as a support vehicle alongside the Humvee.

The truck is powered only by a Duramax diesel, and AM General upgrades its chassis and body. Despite its more practical use, the LSSV is available in single and crew-cab layouts. Furthermore, the model can be equipped with tougher underbody paneling for greater off-road durability. While it isn't much more than a heavy-duty pickup, it's still a significant vehicle.

2 The Cadillac Series 75 Is The Longest Production Car Ever Made

Via Flickr/1970 Lincoln Continental

America has always followed the 'bigger is better' design philosophy. There was never a time when this was truer than in the 1970s. While the public is currently obsessed with larger crossovers and SUVs, old luxury models from the disco decade were genuinely enormous. Even though land barges still exist, they're often based on truck platforms. In comparison, older luxury cars managed to be similarly long and wide, although they were based on sedan platforms. Even two-door luxury cars, such as the Eldorado, were built to be as large as possible.

Based upon the already large DeVille, Cadillac built the Series 75 limousine. Although modern limos are generally standard cars stretched by third-party coachbuilders, older limos were factory-produced luxury cars with extended wheelbases for increased rear legroom. The standard DeVille was a massive 230 inches, or 19 feet, while the Series 75 had an additional two feet of metal stuffed between its axles. That makes its length rival the likes of heavy-duty crew-cab, long-bed pickup trucks. Although the standard model was available in either a six- or a nine-passenger configuration, the Talisman trim was produced for the most ostentatious of buyers. This model had large center consoles in the front and rear, creating the most luxurious ride for only four people.

1 The Chevy Suburban Is The Longest-Lasting Nameplate

Via Wikimedia

Although models like the Volkswagen Beetle, the Ford Mustang, and the Toyota Land Cruiser have spanned over many decades of production, there's always one that has outlasted all others. If heritage is an important buying factor, it's worth knowing that the Chevy Suburban is the longest-running automotive nameplate. Even though many of these long-lasting models tend to change significantly over their production run, the Suburban has never really strayed far from what it originally was.

Back in 1935, Chevy built the Suburban to be a truck-based wagon. That said, early models weren't identical to modern examples. The first couple generations were sold with only two side doors, requiring passengers to climb past the first-row seats to access the rear seats. Following models added a second passenger-side door for accessing the second-row seating. It wasn't until the seventh generation in 1973 that the model offered buyers four passenger doors. That design became so popular that it spawned several competitors, primarily the Ford Expedition. The Suburban remains a popular seller by following the same basic idea it did back in the '30s.