Named after a French explorer who founded Detroit, Cadillac started as the remnants of Henry Ford's failed first car company. Engineer Henry M Leland was called in to liquidate the assets of the Ford business and decided instead to restart manufacture using Leland's own engine. The marque was named 'Cadillac' after an aristocratic ancestor of Leland and the badge was based on a coat of arms from Quebec. Leland quickly established mass production for Cadillac, but also innovation and quality. In 1909 William C Durant bought Cadillac as the prestige brand for his General Motors corporation.