GM: Electric Motors Might Become as Important to GM as Engines are Now

General Motors (GM) announced today that it will become the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors. In a press release, a GM vice chairman said that “In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now”.

I am surprised the VP said “might”. Isn’t it evident that electric motors will be the propulsion system for vehicles in the future? I guess it isn’t for the company that killed the EV1 program. (See the video “Who Killed the Electric Car”.) I am glad GM is getting this now. At least they are investing in facilities in the United States at a tune of $246 million. But is this enough investment to stay ahead of start-ups Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive?