I have a rule these days when I'm interviewing high-ranking car executives: I always ask if they're preparing for a day when their company has to compete with BYD or some other Chinese automaker here in America.
Nobody really likes to answer this question head-on. I usually get some convoluted non-answer that involves tariff policy, trade parity or securing "an even playing field" with car companies that have an enormous advantage with lower labor costs and government subsidies.
But General Motors' President Mark Reuss didn't flinch when he spoke to the Plugged-In Podcast this week, and when I asked if GM is getting ready for that day too: "Absolutely," he said. "For sure."
That's a candid admission, but Reuss said that GM's plan isn't to play catch-up—it's to get ahead. "At the end of the day, the R&D and technology investments in our company are the way to compete," Reuss said. "We can't go and copy the way they do things. We have to be better."
Reuss certainly knows the stakes. An engineer with an MBA, he's had a storied career at GM overseeing just about every area of the company and launching some of its most crucial and groundbreaking products. He had a lot to say this episode about GM's battery strategy, and why its new lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries are key to competing with China's carmakers; why the new 2027 Chevy Bolt is a big deal, and what comes next for affordable EVs; and what he really thinks about the potential for an electric Chevy Corvette.
"Not yet," he said on that front. "But never say never. That's why you have to keep investing in R&D."
Keeping up GM's level of investment in EV batteries, motors and software was a big topic of discussion on this week's episode. After all, even though it saw a record quarter of EV sales, the Detroit giant is now dialing back its production plans—and incurring a big tab to do so. Yet even without the EV tax credit, Reuss said GM has to keep spending on EV R&D or it risks getting left behind.
"I think we are very fortunate as a company to have an ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV portfolio," Reuss said. Its gas cars are among the most new or recently updated in the business, and for now, that's paying the bills for the future. "That's what is fueling the reinvestments in R&D to win across both EVs and ICE."
Tune in to hear the rest—we had a great chat. Also on this week's episode, we discuss the new Bolt as well as the 2026 Nissan Leaf and what a fun showdown that's going to make. Plus, we weigh the pros and cons of Jeep's approach to extended-range electric vehicles.
Our show drops every Friday and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. And let us know: Who else do you want to see interviewed on the show? What questions can we answer about the EV world? We love to hear from you, so hit us up.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
