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?