LaSalle was named after a French explorer, René Robert de la Salle, and was a brand name owned by Cadillac from 1927 to 1940. Designed by Harley Earl, LaSalles filled the price gap between Buick & Cadillac and proved to be a sales success for GM. However, by the late 1930’s, the cost of buying a new Cadillac fell and the LaSalle brand was therefore discontinued in 1940.
