How Arrogance Destroyed GM’s Rotary Revolution

In 1972, GM saw the future, and it was spinning. They poured $50 million into the Wankel engine, planning to build 600,000 units a year and dominate the globe. This wasn't just an engine; it was a revolution fueled by pure corporate confidence. But what happens when the world’s biggest automaker lets arrogance become a trap? Inside GM's sealed-off tech centers, engineers whispered about the apex seals—thin strips of metal that kept shredding under pressure. Executives, emboldened by their massive investment, pushed harder, insisting, 'We'll fix it later.' The dream rolled on, unstoppable, until the 1973 Oil Crisis slammed on the brakes, revealing the rotary's most fatal flaw: it was catastrophically thirsty. This is the untold story of the cultural blind spot that allowed a $50 million investment to collapse, proving that no amount of money can overcome bad physics and even worse timing. Watch to see how the arrogance that started the rotary revolution ultimately killed it. #ironhaul #carengines #gm