Cadillac is a prestigious car maker currently owned by General Motors. It is the second oldest car producer in America (after Buick) founded in the very beginning of 20th century by Henry Leland, a master mechanic and entrepreneur, who named the company after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac - the founder of Detroit. It was purchased by GM in 1909 and since the very beginning Cadillac aimed for innovative engineering and stylish luxury design, placing its cars amongst the most prestigious in America. Cadillac has been the pioneer of many innovations in the car industry - interchangeable parts (1908), fully enclosed cab (1910), electrical system enabling starting, ignition, and lighting (1912), in 1915 it introduced a 90-degree flathead V8 engine with 70 horsepower, in 1930 Cadillac implemented the first V-16 engine, with a 45-degree overhead valve. The development and introduction of the V8, V16 and V-12 by Cadillac set the standard for the American automotive industry.
