William C. Durant was an American entrepreneur who co-founded the automobile company 'General Motors Corporation.' He ventured into the vehicle industry through his 'Flint Road Cart Company,’ later renamed the 'Durant-Dort Company,' in Michigan, which eventually became the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in the country. However, Durant foresaw the potential of the automobile business and thus acquired the almost-bankrupt 'Buick Motor Company,' only to make it a leader in the industry. Following this, 'General Motors' was established. The company flourished through vertical integration. Despite such a great start, Durant's subsequent journey in the industry was marred by his reckless acquisitions and poor stock-market decisions. He was ousted from 'General Motors' twice. The first time, he regained control over the company with the help of the 'Chevrolet Motor Company' (1911), but the second time, he was forced to resign. Durant's other business ventures, too, failed, and from being a pioneer of the automobile industry, he later turned into a bankrupt businessman.
