Internationalization of General Motors This article examines the expansion of General Motors abroad in its various phases, as well as the drivers of internationalization and the problems faced during the process. The document also considers what benefits have been achieved through international growth and how the company can be classified against Bartlett and Ghosal's 4 typologies. Finally, the article discusses the concept of “world cars”, capable of satisfying customer demands around the world. General Motors, International; Internationalization; Globalization; Multinational; Growth strategy; Volkswagen; Bartlett; Ghosal1. Internationalization of GM1.1 Early HistoryIn the early 1900s, the first companies began to emerge that would form the company as we know it today. The first of these was the Olds Motor Vehicle Company (later Olds Motor Works, creator of the Oldsmobile) in 1897, followed by the Cadillac Automobile Company in 1902 and the Buick Motor Company in 1903. Under the leadership of William Durant, September 16, 1908 marked the beginning of the birth of the General Motors Company, initially incorporating the Buick Motor Company. GM then purchased Olds Motor Works in November 1908, a 50% interest in Oakland Motor Car Co (later Pontiac Motors) in January 1909, and Cadillac in July 1909. During its first years of operation, GM also acquired a number of parts and accessory manufacturers, such as Champion Ignition Company (predecessor to the AC Spark Plug) and Fisher Body Company, and also attempted to purchase Ford Motor Co. but were refused a $9.5 million loan by their bankers (GM.com Corporate History). In 1911, however, due to the outstanding debts the company had acquired, bankers stepped in and re… http://www.planetizen.com/node/132[cited May 7, 2007]GM.com, 2007. 2006 Annual Report [online]http://www.gm.com/company/investor_information/docs/fin_data/gm06ar /index.html [cited May 7, 2007]GM.com, 2007. Corporate History [online]http ://www.gm.com/company/corp_info/history/[cited May 7, 2007]Wikipedia, n.d. Automobile [online]Available from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile[cited May 7, 2007]Wikipedia, n.d. General Motors [online] Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Corporation [cited May 7, 2007] Vassallo, J., Fagan, F., 2005. “Nature or Nurture: Why Do Roads Carry Greater Freight” Share in the United States then in Europe” John F Kennedy School of Government ; Harvard University: Massachusetts[cited May 7 2007]