GM’s electric vehicles have been gaining momentum recently. From only selling the Chevy Bolt for years, the automaker now offers a total of 17 fully electrified vehicles, propelling them to second place in the U.S. market behind Tesla.
A Helping Hand from a Tesla Veteran
GM board member Jon McNeill, who previously served as president of Tesla during the development and launch of the Model 3, played a crucial role in GM’s success. He attributes Tesla’s achievements to Elon Musk’s approach to product meetings, where the focus was on reviewing real products without the use of slides.
Inspired by an interaction Musk had with Steve Jobs, the practice of weekly product reviews with senior leadership became integral to Tesla’s culture. The emphasis was on creating a perfect product that would surprise and delight consumers, embodying a sense of minimalism and beauty.
Preserving Innovation Through Product Reviews
McNeill highlighted the importance of maintaining a culture of innovation through regular product reviews. This practice, carried over to GM under the leadership of CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss, has been instrumental in the introduction of 17 EVs and establishing GM as a key player in the EV market.
By prioritizing product development and ensuring that every week brings progress, GM has successfully positioned itself as a leading competitor in the electric vehicle industry.
