Oldsmobile was a brand of automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded byRansom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at itsLansing, Michigan factory. When it was phased out in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobilemarque, and one of the oldest in the world, after Daimler and Peugeot. Oldsmobile was General Motors' first brand to be phased out in the 21st century. The 1910 Limited Touring was a high point for the company. Riding atop 42-inch wheels, and equipped with factory "white" tires, was the prestige model in Oldsmobile's two model lineup. In 1929, as part of General Motors' companion make program, Oldsmobile introduced the higher standard Viking brand, marketed through the Oldmobile dealers network. Viking was discontinued already at the end of the 1930 model year. For the 1940 model, Oldsmobile was the first auto manufacturer to offer a fully automatic transmission, called theHydramatic, which featured four forward speeds. Oldsmobile once again was a pioneer when, for the 1949 model, they introduced their Rocket engine, which used anoverhead valve V8 design rather than the flathead "straight-8" design which prevailed at the time. In 1959, Oldsmobile models were completely redesigned with a rocket motif from front to rear, as the top of the front fenders had a chrome rocket, while the body-length fins were shaped as rocket exhausts which culminated in a fin-top taillight. Oldsmobile sales soared in the 1970s and 1980s. It was during the 1977 model year that demand exceeded production capacity for the Oldsmobile V8, and as a result Oldsmobile began equipping most full size Delta 88 models (those with Federal emissions specifications) with the Chevrolet 350 engine instead. Although it was widely debated whether there was a difference in quality or performance between the two engines, there was no question that the engines were different from one another. Many customers were loyal Oldsmobile buyers who specifically wanted the Rocket V8, and did not discover that their vehicle had the Chevrolet engine until they performed maintenance and discovered that purchased parts did not fit. This became a public relations nightmare for GM. By 1990 the brand had lost its place in the market, squeezed between the resurgent Pontiac and Buick divisions. he final production day for Oldsmobile was April 29, 2004. The division's last car built was an Alero GLS 4-door sedan.