Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A City On Wheels
Pontiac's Automotive History
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021
1. A City On Wheels Marker
Pontiac was ready to become a "motor city."By the early 1900s, the city was a leading carriage manufacturing center and its low wages, skilled workforce and many production facilities attracted early automotive manufacturing companies. In 1907, as Pontiac was transitioning from production of carriages to automobiles, 77 percent of Pontiac's manufacturing workforce was producing vehicles. By 1910 General Motors (GM) had become the dominant employer here and remained such for the next hundred years with GMC Truck Division operating on the south side and Pontiac Motor Division on the north. Vehicle assembly lasted in Pontiac until 2009 but in 2013, twelve percent of Pontiac's workforce was still involved in transportation manufacturing.
You Auto Know
Pontiac is home to GM Global Powertrain Engineering Headquarters and in 2013, a $2 million 138,000 square foot expansion was announced.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Pine Grove" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wisner Stadium WWII Memorial (about 500 feet away); Validation Testing (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Made in Pontiac (approx. ¾ mile away); Franklin Boulevard Historic District (approx. ¾ mile away); Building Bodies (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021
2. A City On Wheels Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
