The word “million” has always connotes meaning beyond its numeric meaning. “They are millionaires” makes one think they are very rich. “Thanks a million” means you are very thankful. “Look, there are a million ants on the table” really means there are a lot of them, not exactly 1,000,000 of them.
In the world of automobiles, it’s associated with success. Producing the one millionth automobile is a big deal for car maker. A recent article in Road & Track magazine looked at when several automakers reached that magic threshold.
Early “a million cars” builders and fierce competitors, Ford and Chevrolet duked it out in the early twentieth century. Ford got an early start in 1903 and built its millionth car in 1915. Chevrolet had a later start in 1911 (with a prototype), building its millionth car in 1923. Both makers did not recognize the milestone, with Chevrolet figuring it out until after the fact. Interestingly, both makers took 12 years to reach this milestone…their competition started early!
Other makes took a lot longer. Volkswagen hit their millionth Bug in 1955 after 19 years. One suspects that World War II slowed them down. World War II helped Jeep, with their millionth Jeep rolled off the line in 1952, 44 years after Willys started business. Cadillac was not an “every man’s car,” so their market made it take much longer. After being founded in 1902, they rolled a Coupe DeVille off the line in 1949.
GM hit their 100 millionth milestone in 1967, with the Chevrolet Caprice coupe.
Any guess on what car company just built their millionth car on March 20, 2020? Another hint: It’s the first electric powered car to reach this goal. The Tesla company was founded in 2003 and in just 17 years sold its millionth car, a Model Y. Do you know your Tesla models? I don’t!!
