1898
First Opel produced - originally a sewing machine business started by Adam Opel.

1902
Oldsmobile cars 1st advertised in  Kimberley ‘Diamond Fields Advertiser’ newspaper

1908
General Motors Corporation opens 16 September - Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs, Oaklands sold

1913
‘Little’ cars - soon renamed Chevolet and dubbed ‘Durant’s Dreams’ distributed.

1916
First promotion - a car was driven ‘from Cape to Johannesburg’ during May
Start of Isuzu - Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited
The first Chevrolet vehicle is displayed at the Rand Easter Show

1918
Nathaniel C Tuxbury sets up in Johannesburg’s Motortown as company representative
General Motors' representatives begin setting up in Port Elizabeth

1919
General Jan Smuts, South Africa’s new Prime Minister purchases a Cadillac – setting the trend for the use of Cadillacs as Ministerial cars

1925
Mr Tuxbury returns from South America to marry Johannesburg girl - Beatrice McGregor.
Tuxbury hires empty wool store in Darling Street and office premises in City Chambers

1926
March: General Motors Corporation to establish South African factory and distributing centre in Port Elizabeth, Mr NC Tuxbury appointed General Manager
First cars to be assembled  off the line in April
Makes produced: Oakland, Chevrolet, GMC trucks, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Vauxhall.
1 July - first Chevrolet assembled.
One sixth of all cars on South African roads are Chevrolets

1923
The first Chevrolet truck “a light Delivery Wagon” is retailed for 227 pounds and a one ton version for an additional ten pounds

1924
Chevrolet’s sold more than any other model on the market

1927
Charles Lindberg's solo triumph in Spirit of St Louis from Long Island (US) to Paris  in 33hrs
In Cape Town on 28 February Capetonians see movie shorts 'talk' for first time

1928
Amelia Earhart first woman to fly across the Atlantic
Sir Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin (by accident)
The 'old' new South African flag is flown for the first time - alongside the Union Jack
Firm acquires 36 hectares land in Kempston Road, Port Elizabeth to build superb new plant

1929
October - month of Wall Street crash - General Motors moves its manufacturing operation to new Kempston Road factory
Economic depression of 1929 attracts mass support to the Nazi party.
GM acquires 80 per cent of Opel
The Chevrolet Safari Truck is introduced into the market
By 1929, 25 000 Chevrolets had been built by the GM South African plant

1930
The planet Pluto is discovered
Stalin begins 'collectivisation' of farms
Mahatma Ghandi launches campaign of satyagraha -peaceful civil disobedience
Frozen peas and the electric kettle appear for the first time
Famine of cash throughout South Africa. Unemployment and record drought

1931
Then world's tallest building the Empire state Building officially opens - 102 floor levels
GM buys the remaining 20% of Opel.

1932
Sol Plaatje  - the first secretary of the ANC dies
Great Depression ends and drought breaks in South Africa

1933
Adolf Hitler becomes German Chancellor and the first concentration camp opens in Dachau
In USA people can drink liquor again - the prohibition is repealed
The long awaited enclosed harbour of Port Elizabeth opens

1934
Gangsters Bonnie and Clyde are killed by police
The name Isuzu first appears

1935
The National Roads Board is established and starts working on roads.

1936
July sees civil war in Spain
SABC radio is formed and Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at the Olympics

1937
South African government bans political activity by foreigners
The German  airship Hindenburg - weighing 110 tons and almost 1 000 feet long - explodes
GMSA produces record range of vehicles: Cadillac, La Salle, Oldsmobile, Buick, Chevrolet cars and trucks, GMC and Bedford Trucks, Opel and Vauxhall.

1938
March 12 German troops cross border and annex Austria
Leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Germany meet in Munich - Sudentenland ceded to Hitler
The ‘extinct' coelacanth is discovered
Nescafe instant coffee is introduced
Hitler invades Czechoslovakia and the world prepares for war
SA Government approaches GM to build war vehicles

1939
Military Pacts the order of the day - on September 1 Germany invades Poland
Two days later Britain and France declare war on Germany
Jan Christian Smuts becomes the Premier of South Africa
Addition of Parts and Accessories warehouse and offices
Armoured cars one of GMSA's earliest war productions - original orders for 266 placed

1940
Anton Lembede  elected first leader of the African National Congress Youth League.
Other prominent members: Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo - partners in South Africa's first black legal practice - and young trade unionist  Walter Sisulu.
Churchill comes to power and the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies.
Production at GM’s Opel operation in Germany comes to a standstill

1941
Germany launches operation 'Barbarossa' - the invasion of the USSR
Dec 7 Japanese attack Pearl Harbor - catapulting the automotive industry, including GMSA. into the war effort
Isuzu Company concentrates on diesel engine technology

1942
GMSA stops production for civilian market - car production is just 800 for the year anyway
Women trained to replace men at Kempston Road factory
1000s of armoured cars, troop carriers, fire engines, ammunition boxes and naval vessel fittings built by GMSA

1943
Tide of World War II starts to turn

1944
D-DAY finally arrives and the Allies invade Normandy

1945
Hitler dies on 30th of April
US drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima - August 6 - 3 days later Nagasaki - Japan surrenders
World rejoices the end of the war

1946
General Motors Corporation faces 113 day strike in 18 American states
The world is introduced to the bikini and the Royals tour South Africa
First vehicle built since war, the facelifted 1942 Chevrolet model, comes off production line
The slogan of the Chevrolet is “Well worth waiting for”

1947
The Dead Sea Scrolls are discovered 
Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier for the first time

1948
26th May Jan Smuts defeated in elections - Malan forms new Nationalist Government June 3
In November, GM Corporation agrees to two year trial ownership with Opel
Opening of new Assembly Plant at Kempston Road, Port Elizabeth on 25 August
New models off the assembly line for the first time since the war - first is ‘fishtailed’ Cadillac
The famous Chevrolet Fleetline (“Aerosedan”) is introduced and has a highly successful run until the end of 1956

1949
The Communists take over China - Mao Tse-tung riding the wave of victory
World's first jet airliner makes its maiden flight
Racial mixed marriages banned in South Africa
Production of successful Chevrolet ‘style line’ and Pontiac ‘Chieftain’ models begins

1950
The cold war between East and West intensifies and civil rights movement born
GMSA begins production of Frigidaire refrigerators

1951
Some 250 000 whites take to the streets in a protest march against apartheid  
GMSA celebrates 25th anniversary

1952
First safety belts introduced in cars in the US 
Frigidaire Stove manufacture at GMSA

1953
DNA defined and Playboy magazine features Marilyn Monroe in centrefold 

1954
R1 million spent enlarging manufacturing concern at Kempston Road factory

1955
SASOL starts production in South Africa  
Some 110 Black South African families moved by 3 000 armed police
One of the longest running models ever produced by GMSA introduced - Opel Rekord
Chevrolet models included the Biscayne, Belair and the Impala, which ran through to 1966
1956
December 5 Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu are arrested for treason

1959 
Opel Rekord Delivery van production starts

1960
Anti-pass law demonstrations at Sharpeville lead to the deaths of 67 people
The Springboks make their last appearance at the Olympics
Chevrolet Corvair is introduced, followed by the famous Chevy II and Chevelle.
Start of small car popularity - saw - introduction of - Opel Kadett and -Vauxhall Viva

1961
31 May the new Republic of South Africa is born
The USSR sends the first man - Yuri Gagarin  - into space
Opening of Technical Training Centre and Service Centre at Kempston Road

1962
Cuban missile crisis nearly starts Third World War

1963
John F Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas
Beatles score their first big hit, I want to hold your hand
Great Train Robbery takes place and push button phones are introduced
Purchase of 160 Hectares of land at Aloes on northern outskirts of Port Elizabeth by GMSA
100 000th Frigidaire Refrigerator is produced

1964
The film Zulu produced by Stanley Baker (one of the actors is - Chief Gatsha Buthelezi)
Eight men - including Nelson Mandela, sentenced to life on 12 June following the Rivonia trail
50 000th Frigidaire Stove produced
A total of 6000  employees were employed at GMSA in 1964

1965
South Africa's first five Boeings arrive
GMSA’s mammoth Engine Plant opens at Aloes on 5 April 1965. Engine Machining begins
Completion of new R3 million Paint Shop at Kempston Road
 
1966
Hendrik Verwoerd is assassinated on the 6th of September by Dimitri Stafendas
District Six is declared 'white' in terms of the Group Areas Act.
750 000th vehicle produced by GM South Africa
First GM Open Golf Tournament held in Port Elizabeth
The Chevrolet Caprice is introduced into the market

1967
December: Professor Chris Barnard transplants a heart into 54-year old Louis Washkansky
Raymond Ackerman launches Pick 'n Pay
Engineering Technical Centre opens at Kempston Road

1968
Martin Luther King is shot in Memphis
The Jacuzzi is invented and Louis Armstrong sings What a Wonderful World
Introduction of GM’s Ranger - “South Africa’s own Car” - popular and available until 1973.
September 1, over 430 mm rain falls over Port Elizabeth - 8 people die, cars 'bob like corks' down the Baakens River.
MD of GMSA, Mr Slocum announces order for sheet metal components by European General Motors plant 

1969
300 000 people attend Woodstock in Bethal, New York
20th of July Neil Armstrong  sets foot on the moon
The Concord flies for the first time and Steve Biko forms the Black Students' Organisation
Chevrolet Kommando/Constantia/De Ville series introduced at GMSA

1970
Rebel Rhodesia declares itself a Republic

1971
Tennis star Arthur Ashe is refused entry into South Africa
GMSA MD, Mr Slocum announces association with Isuzu of Japan
In July, GM Corporation obtains 34,2% interest in Isuzu Motors Ltd
First model introduced in South Africa - LUV 1 ton pick under the Chevrolet name

1972
New: pocket calculator, automatic scanning at supermarkets, Nike shoes and Hot pants
First GMSA International Classic Golf Tournament held in Port Elizabeth
Best selling Chevrolet 2500/3800/4100 range introduced
Production of millionth vehicle is celebrated on 29 November

1973
First colour copier manufactured by Canon in Japan and first disposable lighter Bic seen
Introduction of Isuzu Commercial & Truck - phase out of Chev Commercial Vehicles at GMSA

1974
Muhammad Ali regains the world heavyweight boxing crown declaring 'I'm the greatest'
19 year old South African Anneline Kriel wins the Miss world title
General Motors South African enters locomotive business - Diesel Electric Locomotive Assembly Plant established near Engine Plant at Aloes
First energy crisis strikes - its effects are felt throughout world

1975
South African Forces enter Angola
100th locomotive produced
Isuzu SBR422  launched- high speed direct injection diesel engined medium trucks set new standards for performance and economy

1976
Outbreak of Soweto riots...unrest throughout South Africa 
Television sets in SA switched on for the first time
GMSA introduces new range of Opel-derived models
Chevrolet Nomad introduced

1977
Steve Biko dies of head injuries on  12 September after being arrested in Port Elizabeth
Introduction of KB diesel bakkie - soon one of South Africa’s top selling bakkies
Switch to ADE engines accomplished with assistance of Isuzu’s Engineering division

1978
John Vorster is out and P.W. Botha is in - after the Information Scandal 
Phase out of Holden, Vauxhall and Bedford - production confined to Opel and Isuzu sources

1979
Jody Scheckter becomes South Africa's first Formula One Champion
Idi Amin ousted as Ugandan dictator 

1980
Robert Mugabe becomes Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
John Lennon - former member of The Beatles, is shot by Mark Chapman
The free Mandela campaign is launched by Bishop Tutu
Opel Kadett reintroduced - two years later, GMSA’s passenger car range takes Opel name

1981
Nearly 800 apartheid laws are abolished
Ciskei becomes an independent republic    
4 metre wall of water sweeps through Lainsburg - 119 men, women, children missing

1982
Introduction of ADE engines on light and heavy trucks at GMSA
Aloes plant closed down and engines and transmissions fully imported from Germany

1983
HIV is identified
South Africa gets a new constitution
Closure of Battery Plant at GMSA
GMSA produces range of Kadetts and Asconas
Also in the product line up were the successful Rekord/Commodore/Senator V car range
South Africa sees arrival of yet another newcomer - the Suzuki ST 90 and SJ 410

1984
Mary Decker and Zola Budd 'clash' in the Olympics
Virtual reality and cyberspace become common words so does the word yuppie

1985
A state of emergency is declared in 36 districts in South Africa
South African economy in crisis - Rand plunges and international disinvestments begin
GM decides to disinvest from South Africa

1986
US Challenger explodes killing its crew of seven
Government scraps influx control and pass laws and Mixed marriages Act abolished
Management buy out: Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, André van Rooyen and George Stegmann

1987
South African Boeing 747 Helderberg plunges in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius
Delta Motor Corporation is born
Vehicle throughput increases by 30%
New F-series Isuzu truck range successfully launched
Company sold 30 000 units in 1987 - 6 000 more than the anticipated 24 000
Two new engines introduced to the popular Isuzu KB range.
New works-supported team in South African production car racing - Delta Motorsport
10 October - Delta mourns death of Bob Price, Delta’s first executive Chairman

1988
Delta's "Moon Mission" blasts off - two South African built Opel Rekords set out to cover distance between earth and moon - 376 024 kilometres in Namibia
Cars then set world record of 500 000 kilometres
4 Opel Kadetts circuit high speed track  - 48 new local sprint and endurance records
Sales and Marketing office opens in Johannesburg - Delta Park
Company wins National Organisational Safety Association 5-star safety rating
Production doubles since 1986 - 40 000 units sold
1st birthday celebrated on 20 February with a rock concert in Bulk Warehouse

1989
Berlin Wall comes crashing down
Walter Sisulu is released from prison in South Africa
New Isuzu KB Pick-Up launched - first new body shape built by Delta
Delta Motorsport takes Group N National Championships for third consecutive year
Upington: 365 days two Opel Rekords cover 573 020 kilometres - no mechanical failure
2nd assault: SA Endurance records by three Opel Kadetts rewrites record books again
100 000th vehicle manufactured by Delta - red Opel Kadett Cub presented to Avis

1990
February 2, President F.W. de Klerk unbans 34 organisations
11 February, millions of people around the world watch Nelson Mandela walk to freedom  
Fastest production Opel Kadett in the world,  "Superboss" 2L GSi 16V, launched
Top Non-Listed Company Award for Delta

1991
CODESA begins
Sanctions lifted and South African sportsmen re-enter the world arena
First Car of the Year Award for Opel Monza 160 GSi
6 of 10 classes won in Total Economy Run
Port Elizabeth "Citizen of the Year" awarded  to Delta
Delta Motorsport wins Manufacturer's Challenge Trophy for third consecutive year.
New mainframe computer installed at Kempston Road for R6,5 million

1992
Whites flock to voting booths to support continuation of the reform process
R10 million Truck plant commissioned at Markman Township
Opel Calibra launched in South Africa
4 of five Group N racing titles won
Delta wins Business Steering Wheel Award - relationship between GM Europe and Delta
Keith Butler-Wheelhouse moves to SAAB Automobil AB, Sweden - Willie van Wyk becomes Managing Director of Delta

1993
Chris Hani is assassinated on 10 April putting SA constitutional talks in jeopardy
Massive bomb explodes in the parking garage of New York's World Trade Centre
Mandela and De Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize
Suzuki Samurai launched in South Africa
Precision Exhaust Systems wins General Motors' Supplier of the Year Award for first time
New Opel Astra and Kadett T2700 ranges launched
Delta leads the field in adult education for the development of employees
Delta Motorsport wins Manufacturers' Challenge Trophy, Drivers' Championship in Touring Car series

1994
Delta Foundation is formed in September - Delta's community development wing
Elections usher in new South Africa - Rainbow Nation born  - Nelson Mandela leads country
Opel Kadett 140 wins second Car of the Year Award
First major export order to the USA
Precision Exhaust Systems wins 2nd General Motors' Supplier of the Year Award
Launch of Opel Astra Estate
Struandale Assembly Plant purchased
New South African flag raised at Delta
Motor Industry Development Programme announced

1995
Springboks triumph in the Rugby World Cup - aided by Madiba Magic 
Windows 95 is launched
Opel Astra 160iS wins third Car of the Year Award
Precision Exhaust Systems wins third General Motors Supplier of the Year Award
Delta Motor Corporation awarded distribution rights of Saab range from Sweden
Top exporter of one-ton commercial vehicles into Africa
First major tooling export to India
400 new jobs advertised for a new facility at Struandale.

1996
30 October - Struandale Assembly Plant opened by Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin 
15 Opel Astra and Opel Kadett models receive face-lifts
Delta signs R20-million export order for alloy wheels with Saab
Precision Exhaust Systems win 4th GM Supplier Award
Upgrade of Kempston Road includes new Toolroom and Paint Shop 
All new Opel Corsa - on sale in November 1996 for first time, assembled in Struandale facility

1997
Princess Diana is killed in a car accident
Hong Kong reverts back to China and Ernie Els beats the best in world golf
First counter-trade export project with Brazil
Export Agreement signed with Germany for wiring harnesses
Fifth GM Award for Precision Exhaust Systems
Opel Corsa sedan and imported Saab 9-3 and 9-5 launched
Delta sells 60 050 vehicles for a 16% total market share
Isuzu KB is the top selling one-ton pick-up in South Africa
General Motors Corporation purchases 49% stake in the company
Delta Foundation wins first of a string of awards

1998
Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel are married
Potency drug Viagra cheers up millions
Delta's Black Empowerment initiative, Yenza Manufacturing, opens
Five-door Isuzu Frontier wagon launched
Joint Venture Stainless Precision Components established
Half-ton Opel Corsa utility launched
Precision Exhaust Systems wins sixth GM Supplier Award
Opel Motorsport wins Manufacturers' and Drivers' Group N challenge

1999
Thabo Mbeki becomes the new President of South Africa
Truck plant facility returns to Kempston Road which becomes Delta's commercial vehicle plant Struandale Assembly Plant ISO 9001 accreditation - Delta's passenger assembly facility
Opel Motorsport return to Touring Car racing with imported Opel Vectra
Second generation Opel Astra T3000 launched
Seventh GM Award for Precision Exhaust Systems

2000
Fireworks throughout the world greet the new millennium
Nelson Mandela's historic visit to Delta Motor Corporation
NOSA Housekeeping Award presented to Struandale Plant

2001
Imported range of vehicles introduced into the South African Market - Opel Astra Caravan, Opel Zafira, Opel Astra Coupé and the Opel Omega
Home Zone Initiatve is launched for employees
Financial Life Skills and Debt Consolidation programme is introduced for employees

2002
Delta Foundation's Centre for Learning Project wins Impumelelo Platinum Award
Delta Foundation’s Missionvale housing project is shortlisted as a finalist for the best ten international housing projects for the World Habitat Award
OCSA initiative is launched for employees which signals the provision of free primary heath care for the company’s retirees
The all new Corsa is introduced into the market and the Corsa GSI version is nominated as a Car of the Year finalist

2003
The imported Opel Meriva is launched to the market
Delta opens a new Sales and Marketing Division, dedicated to retailing fully imported Chevrolet  vehicles in South Africa.  This sees the introduction of the following Chevrolet markets into the market:  Spark, Aveo, Vivant and Lumina
General Motors announces that it has resumed discussions with Delta Motor Corporation to acquire a 100% shareholding in the company

2004
GM Returns to South Africa by purchasing all the shares in Delta Motor Corporation
GMSA invests R300 million into its facilities
GMSA launches seven new products among which is the new Isuzu KB and Corsa Pick-up
GMSA invests R500 million into tooling and facilities for the new Isuzu KB
GMSA announces that it will be distributing and retailing Saab in South Africa

2005
GMSA is awarded a three billion dollar export contract to manufacture the HUMMER H3
GMSA launches the Corsa Utility 1.8I base and sport
GMSA launches the 2005 Opel Corsa with 1.7 CDTI engines
The Opel Astra is named as a finalist in the 2004 COTY competition
GMSA launches the Opel Astra 2.0I GSi

2006
GMSA begins exporting the left-hand drive HUMMER H3 vehicles to markets in the Middle East, Israel and Europe.
The Opel Astra GTC 1.9 CDTI is nominated as a 2006 Car of the Year finalist.
GMSA announces the introduction of the Cadillac brand to South Africa
GMSA launches the Opel Astra GTC and OPC range and the new Chevrolet Spark
GMSA sold a record breaking 87121 vehicles in the market, up 12.1% from last year

2007
GMSA launches:

• Chevrolet Lumina UTE and Sedan
• Opel Zafira OPC
• The Cadillac BLS and SRX
• The Astra Twintop
• HUMMER H3 Right hand drive
• Chevrolet Captiva
• Opel Corsa 4400
• Isuzu KB I90 MY07

The GM South Africa Foundation received the Impumelelo Platinum award
The GM South Africa Foundation received the American Chamber of Commerce’s (AMCHAM) Bronze “Star of Africa” Award.

GMSA was awarded first prize overall for Rental and Leasing at the SAVRALA manufacturer of the year awards. In addition to gold overall, the company was awarded bronze in the rental section and silver in the leasing section.

GM South Africa achieved 15 awards in the Synovate Quality Awards Survey.

GM South Africa received the following awards in the JD Power and Associates 2007 South Africa Initial Quality Study:

• Opel Corsa Utility named top performing compact pickup in initial quality
• Corsa Utility was named top pick up nameplate, followed by Isuzu KB.
• Assembly Plants achieved second place for assembly of Isuzu KB and Opel Corsa Utility
• Isuzu KB achieved second position in the one ton single cab segment and second in the one ton double cab segment.