After founder William Durant, was forced out of General Motors, he partnered with noted race car driver Louis Chevrolet in a play to win back his good standing. The Chevrolet Motor Company won Durant his leading role back with GM, but his partner didn’t fare nearly as well. Chevrolet resigned and sold his stake in the company, and was penniless when he died. However, the Chevrolet company went on to become one of the most successful car companies in history. Despite the serious challenges of the Great Depression, World War II, and shifting consumer demand, the company emerged as one of the great leaders of the 20th century.