-
Period: to
Chevy Timeline
-
Chevy Launches First Car
Chevy launched their first car in 1912. As a company that was only a year old, they didn't have much marketing done. A small photo ad campaign was advertised. Sales: 2,999
U.S. Market Share: 1% -
The Logo
Chevy introduces its bow tie logo, which they used to launch their first ad campaign in 1913. Sales: 5,987
U.S. Market Share: 1.4% -
The Message
Chevy boasts that its "enormous buying power" and "unprecedented efficiency" allowed them to offer "substantial financial savings" to customers. Sales: 2,786
U.S. Market Share: 0.5% -
Chevy Introduces Their First Trucks
In 1918, Chevy introduced it's first trucks after Sloan became VP at General Moters (Would later become President of GM in 1932) Sales: 94,992
U.S. Market Share: 7% -
Chevy Begins To Promote
Chevy hired Campbell-Ewald to create an all-text ad for 45 newspapers in 1919. The ad says that Chevy "meets completely the national need for dependable and economical transportation. The first cost is low. The upkeep is never a burden." -
Advertising Skyrockets
General Moters decided to have Campbell-Ewald handle all of its advertising. Some of their taglines used were "For economical transportation" and "Quality at low cost." Chevrolet's 1922 magazine ad budget: $212,000. U.S. Vehicle Sales: 153,270
U.S. Market Share: 8.6% -
Passing Ford
Chevrolet for the first time passed Ford in U.S. calendar year sales to become the No. 1 selling car as well as the top-selling truck. U.S. vehicle sales: 752,642
U.S. market share: 25.7% -
Value Garuntee
Chevy promised value, promoting "A six [cylinder] in the price range of the four." U.S. vehicle sales: 941,012
U.S. market share: 21.7% -
Radio Promotion
Chevrolet sponsored its first radio program, "Chevrolet Chronicles." Chevrolet invested more in radio advertising as the medium surged in popularity during the Depression years. U.S. vehicle sales: 737,154
U.S. market share: 24.7% -
The Depression Kills Marketing
Chevrolet rolled out its 1932 models with what Ad Age called "a mammoth sales promotion drive." The company mailed a four-inch phonograph record to "every owner of a Chevrolet" offering "advance information on the great American value for 1932." This all-out effort was swamped by the Great Depression. Chevrolet's 1932 U.S. vehicle sales plunged 44% in what would be the brand's and industry's Depression sales low point. U.S. vehicle sales: 383,644
U.S. market share: 30.5% -
The War Increases Production
Chevrolet promoted a program to "Save the wheels that serve America," emphasizing "car conservation," "mileage rationing," observation of speed limits and car pooling. For motorists who signed a conservation pledge, Chevrolet dealers offered free car inspections, a decal and membership cards in the "National Victory Service League." -
TV
Chevrolet ran its first live TV commercials with a series of variety shows that aired in four cities on the DuMont network. This marked Chevrolet's first regular sponsorship of programs on network TV. U.S. vehicle sales: 441,153
U.S. market share: 19.5% -
Chevy Makes Sense
With the nation mired in its deep 1973-75 recession, Chevrolet at mid-year introduced a new theme, "Chevrolet makes sense for America." U.S. vehicle sales: 2,777,570
U.S. market share: 25.3% -
Like A Rock
Chevrolet introduced "Like a Rock" as the theme for Chevy trucks, drawing on Detroit-area native Bob Seger's 1986 song. The iconic "Like a Rock" campaign continued through the end of the 2004 model year. A 1997 ad from the campaign is shown here. U.S. vehicle sales: 2,229,583
U.S. market share: 18.1% -
USA in Chevrolet
The division reprised its "See the USA in your Chevrolet" theme in ads for the redesigned Impala and other models. U.S. vehicle sales: 2,600,767
U.S. market share: 15.3% -
An American Revolution
Chevrolet launched "An American Revolution" as the theme for its 2004 models on Dec. 31, 2003 U.S. vehicle sales: 2,747,368
U.S. market share: 16.2% -
Real People, Not Actors
In 2015 Chevy decided to launch it's "real people, not actors" ad campaign, which has turned out to be one of Chevy's most popular ads. People still debate whether these people are really not actors today, almost 4 years later. The conversation has driven a lot of business to Chevy, and they continue running these type of ads still.
