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William Crapo Durant: GM's Genius
Biographical profile of William Crapo Durant, legendary automobile pioneer who founded General Motors. GM's current financial crisis is nothing new for America's largest automobile company. It happened twice in its early years while GM was under Durant's leadership. Durant was one of the largest manufacturers of wagons and carriages when he decided to acquire a failing automobile manufacturer, the Buick Motor Company. A deft salesman with the Midas touch, Durant soon had Buick sales soaring. In 1908 he placed Buick,Oldsmobile, Oakland Car Company and Cadillac into his newly formed General Motors, but he amassed so much debt the company's bankers rebelled and forced him out. Undaunted, Durant formed another car company, Chevrolet, and in a case of the minnow swallowing the whale, arranged for Chevrolet to acquire GM. Back at the helm Durant pressed for rapid growth and again found himself mired in too much debt. The story of this master salesman and automotive visionary involves triumphs and failures, but all accomplished with panache and verve. Award-winning author and syndicated columnist Daniel Alef, who has written more than 300 biographical profiles of America’s greatest tycoons, brings out the story of Durant's remarkable life of ups, downs and achievements. [2,594-word Titans of Fortune article]