Is General Motors Company (GM) Scared of Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA)?

With Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) soaring to new heights, it is only natural for the competition to wonder what is next (see more here). While there are many companies dabbling in the same space as Tesla, it is safe to say that this company is truly making waves. Not only are consumers beginning to take notice, but its stock price has done big things thus far in 2013 as well.

With all this in mind, we are beginning to see a growing number of competitors keeping a close eye on Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) and what the company is planning for the future.

Automotive News recently took a closer look at this, reporting that General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) CEO Dan Akerson has formed a team to study Tesla’s threat to the company. In other words, GM, a company that has been around for more than 100 years, has concerns that Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) could threaten its business moving forward.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) Vice Chairman Steve Girsky said that Akerson “thinks Tesla could be a big disrupter if we’re not careful.”

Those are strong words showing that GM is truly concerned about what Tesla brings to the market. He went on to add the following:

“History is littered with big companies that ignored innovation that was coming their way because you didn’t know where you could be disrupted.”

For Tesla, this shows the company that it is moving in the right direction. On the other side of things, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) should also be commended for keeping a close watch on the competition and doing whatever it can to prepare for the future.

Girsky added even more valuable information, stating the following:

“In the old days, they would’ve said, ‘It’s a bunch of laptop batteries and don’t worry about it and blah, blah, blah. Akerson’s view of the world is this kind of thing can change, can impact our organization. It may not be in his lifetime here, but it will be in somebody’s lifetime. And we need to be prepared.”

While GM may be looking out for itself, don’t expect Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) to make any changes to the way it is doing business. The Model S outsold the Chevy Volt plug-in in the first quarter, and is hoping for more of the same down the line.

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is on the move and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is scared. How do you feel about this story? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, read more about Tesla shipments here (you will like what you see).