General Motors Company (GM): We’re Worried About Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA)

And all of this comes in the context of a global reorganization and new controls that have reduced costs, reduced the time it takes to get new products to market, and given senior executives much more data – much more quickly.

GM doesn’t have a choice: It has to change, and fast — GM managed to hold its global lead for decades even as it blundered along, but it can’t do that anymore. Its two largest global competitors, Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:TM) and Volkswagen, are well-run cutting edge contenders. Both would have eaten Old GM’s lunch. (Arguably, Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:TM) did.)

To compete, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) has to follow in old rival Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)‘s footsteps and reinvent itself as a focused, disciplined, globally oriented company.

That’s what Akerson and Girsky are trying very hard to do. Making a point of learning the lessons of Tesla’s success is just one sign of that effort. But will it work? We’ll find out.

The article GM: We’re Worried About Tesla Motors originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by John Rosevear.

Fool contributor John Rosevear owns shares of Ford and General Motors. Follow him on Twitter at @jrosevear . The Motley Fool recommends Ford, General Motors, and Tesla Motors and owns shares of Ford and Tesla Motors.

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