Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Nothing like friendly competition as CEO of GM Challenger Nigel Pagon (centre), Chevrolet dealers, jokes with Gregory Webster (right), general manager of Fidelity Motors Ltd (that distribute Nissan) and Maurice Foster, acting as 'ref'. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

While Jamaicans seem obsessed with cars from the Orient (Toyota and Honda), the American-made stuff is holding its own.

The company that delivers such brands as Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac, GM Motors, is celebrating a century of providing strong and attractive automobiles for all people.

To share in the global centenary party, local dealer, GM Challenger, hosted a cocktail reception at its head office on Molynes Road.

CEO and chairman of GM Challenger, Nigel Pagon, said the company was among the 22,350 dealerships worldwide that were helping to celebrate the milestone of an august institution.

GM Challenger carries a variety of Chevrolet cars and trucks as well as the Hummer SUV. Guests were surrounded by some of these automobiles, including models of the very popular Chevy Avalanche, during the late afternoon lyme.

GM is a pioneer of many features that seem quite standard in modern cars like the electric starter (invented by Charles Kettering in 1911) and the two-cycle diesel engine, which replaced the steam locomotive engine.

GM was also the first automaker to establish a full-time, in-house design staff bringing forth custom-built cars for Hollywood stars back in the 1920s.

Aside from automobiles, GM was also the Allied Forces' biggest supplier during World War II.

Founder William Durant should be proud.

Bob Banjo gives a listening ear to Thelma Ferguson (centre) and Marcia Edwards-Barnes at the GM Challenger reception.

Dwayne Pagon of GM Challenger lymes with Marie Scully (left) and Sasha Hanna at the General Motors' 100th anniversary reception, last Wednesday, held at the offices of GM Challenger, the local dealership.