Why Chevy is so deeply ingrained in the American culture
As written for The Safe Driver.
Chevrolet vehicles have been a hit with Americans for over 100 years now. People love them for various reasons, such as their safety features and style. The company claims to be the top-selling auto brand and points to its many innovations over the years as part of why it has achieved this peak. Automatic shifting and all-steel bodies are two innovations the company can lay claim to.
The vehicles have made their way into American culture, with the company being named in over 700 songs. American Graffiti is one movie where a Chevy vehicle had a prominent role, and the television show NCIS has showcased these models. While the company has had some bad years, it continues to endure today.
Chevy’s Origins
When a person visits a utah chevy dealership, they may see a picture of Louis Chevrolet, the Swiss-born engineer responsible for the founding of the company. Chevrolet joined with Billy Durant to launch the Series C “Classic Six”, the vehicle maker’s first offering. It had a six-speed engine, unlike most passenger cars of the time which only had four speeds. The partnership lasted four years before Chevrolet left the company in 1915.
Chevy released a vehicle in 1950 with an automatic transmission, which drivers loved. What they didn’t like was the lack of style seen in the company’s vehicles. It was another five years before the Bel Air was released, and people quickly fell in love with its looks and speed. Following WWII, Americans became more car-centric and this vehicle drew them in.
Moving Forward
In the 1960s, Chevy’s muscle cars took center stage. The Corvette Stingray was a highly coveted vehicle alongside the Camaro. Families weren’t left out either, as the company released the Impala, designed with them in mind. Sadly, this hot streak did not last long. Safety problems seen with the Corvair almost took the company down.
Problems continued to plague Chevy in the 1970s. Many of the company’s vehicles weren’t reliable, and drivers began turning to Honda and Toyota when they needed a new ride. However, Chevy endured and continued to be immortalized in pop culture. Don McLean referenced it in his hit song American Pie, while Bob Seger sang about his Chevy in the 1976 song Night Moves. The company struggled but managed to hang on.
Surviving The End of the Century
Chevy took advantage of cheap gas and a strong economy in the 1990s to capitalize on sales. The manufacturer’s trucks increased in popularity when a commercial was released showing a Silverado tackling tough terrain while Bob Seger’s Like a Rock played in the background. The ad had such great results Chevy continued using the campaign for over a decade. Furthermore, the company’s SUV sales increased during the last decade of the 20th century.
The 21st Century
Chevy has had some challenges in the 21st century. Truck sales declined drastically when gas prices climbed in 2008. Drivers wanted better gas mileage, and Chevy wasn’t providing it.
However, the company isn’t giving up. The Cruze has had good success, unlike its predecessor the Cobalt. Many people remain passionate about this brand today. According to Car and Driver, the Chevy Silverado was second on the list of bestselling vehicles in 2022.
Any person looking to purchase a new vehicle should consider a Chevy. This company continues to endure, even when competitors find they can no longer keep their doors open. A person knows they can count on Chevy when they need a car, so check out the company’s lineup today.