Besides the fully automatic transmission and the mass-produced V8 engine, General Motors (GM) introduced many other innovative technologies, devices and conveniences that became pretty much standard fare throughout the industry.
Not all of GM’s technological initiatives were successful, of course, but the American industrial giant had the size, production volume and financial muscle to persevere in its quest to find innovations to stay ahead of the car game.
Eight of GM’s most influential innovations are: electric starter (1911), quick-dry lacquer paintwork (1924), full-synchromesh manual gearbox (1928), the use of Philips-head screws in vehicle assembly (1940), plastic bodywork in mass-market manufacturing (1953), turbocharged V8 engine (1962), head-up display or HUD (1988 – pictured below), and LED tail-lamps (2000). 
