|
For almost 100 years, ACDelco has
been sparking the automotive industry and firing customer enthusiasm.
As you might expect, it began as one man's hobby.
Today ACDelco products are chosen the world over, an accomplishment
only the past can explain. So buckle up and join us for a
fast ride back in time.
How It All
Started
1899
Albert Champion bids adieu to France and hits the high seas
for America. Albert was a champion bicycle racer, and he used
the draft from speedy motorcycles to help him train and set
a pace. Once in Boston, Albert makes his own spark plugs and
sells them to friends for extra cash. With the help of investors,
Albert turns his hobby into a business, The Champion Ignition
Co.
1901
Brothers Frank and Perry Remy founded the Remy Electric
Co. The Brothers Remy were the first to build dynamos and
magnetos, which were used instead of batteries for ignition
in early vehicles.
1905
The honeymoon ends between Albert
Champion and his investors. The investors pull out of the deal
and keep the Champion name. (Ouch.)
1908
Albert Champion, still the competitor, joins forces with
Buick Motor Co. The two make beautiful spark plugs together
for the AC Spark Plug Division. Guess where they got the name.
1916
Here comes The General. United Motors
Corp (UMC). is formed by Alfred P. Sloan - the man who would
eventually become president and then chairman of GM. UMC eventually
absorbs Buick and AC Spark Plug, and later merges with Chevrolet
to form General Motors. That same year, UMC forms United Motors
Service Inc. (UMS), to sell and service parts made by the company.
1926
Remy Electric, which had been bought out twice since being formed
by the Remy brothers, merges with competitor Dayton Engineering
Labs Co. (Delco) to form Delco
Remy Corp.
Aeroplanes
to Rockets
1927
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder. AC Spark Plugs are
used in Charles A. Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.
1932
AC Spark Plugs are used in Amelia Earhart's transatlantic
solo flight.
1935
General Motors Parts Division (GMPD) forms in order to consolidate
the automaker's parts-marketing activities.
1969
AC igniter plugs are used to fire the second- and third-stage
rocket engines that propel Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins and
Buzz Aldrin to the moon. That same year, GMPD becomes a separate
business unit. It distributes replacement parts to GM dealers.
1971
United Motors Service is renamed United Delco Division.
1974
Guess what? That's right, it's time for another merger. The
AC-Delco Division is born with the combination of the United
Delco and AC Spark Plug sales organizations.
ACDelco Now
1986
The ACDelco Division is 12 years old. With its teen years
on the horizon, GM forms Service Parts Operations, ACDelco's
current parent company.
1995
ACDelco's logo gets a new look to reflect the company's continuing
commitment to developing new products and innovations. This
year saw the introduction of the performance spark plug, RAPIDFIRE®,
and a new extended-life battery, the Delco Freedom 84-Month
Battery.
1997
ACDelco launches a new concept, the ACDelco Service Center.
ACDelco also christened a new world headquarters in Grand
Blanc, Michigan, USA.
2000
ACDelco strives to deliver the highest standards for dependable
and quality automotive parts for all makes and models of vehicles.
This vision is captured in ACDelco's new advertising theme,
"When the right way is the only way."
2002
ACDelco continues to strive to maintain the highest standards
in the industry, delivering quality automotive parts for all
makes and all models.
|
