Who They Are & What They Create

General Motors Worldwide (GM) is a leading global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the automotive industry. As an OEM, GM develops and enforces proprietary, mandatory engineering specifications known as Worldwide Engineering Standards (GMW). These standards define rigorous requirements for all suppliers and internal operations, covering materials, components, testing, validation, and manufacturing processes. Their purpose is to ensure the quality, durability, and reliability of every part and system across all GM vehicle platforms worldwide, while maintaining compliance with both internal goals and external regulations.

Sectors of Industry Supported

GM standards are required across the company’s global supply network and directly support:

• Automotive Manufacturing
• Automotive Supply Chain (Tiers 1, 2, and 3)
• Materials Science (plastics, composites, and metal alloys)
• Chemical and Coatings Industry
• Testing, Validation, and Certification Services (laboratories)

Detailed History

General Motors was founded on September 16, 1908, by William C. Durant in Flint, Michigan.
After consolidating brands like Buick and Cadillac, the company—under Alfred P. Sloan’s leadership—introduced organizational and production innovations that required formalized corporate requirements.
To support global expansion and its strategy of offering “a car for every purse and purpose,” GM developed a robust system of internal engineering standards.
These evolved into today’s General Motors Worldwide (GMW) Standards, ensuring consistent quality and processes across operations and suppliers worldwide, while safeguarding the integrity of GM’s engineering specifications.