logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2020
44m 41s

442. Is it Too Late for General Motors t...

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
G.M. produces more than 20 times as many cars as Tesla, but Tesla is worth nearly 10 times as much. Mary Barra, the C.E.O. of G.M., is trying to fix that. We speak with her about the race toward an electrified (and autonomous) future, China and Trump, and what it’s like to be the “fifth-most powerful woman in the world.” 
Up next
Today
How to Be a Double Unicorn, with John Urschel | Better in Person
He was thriving in the N.F.L., but then he decided to focus on mathematics — a subject he now teaches at M.I.T. John walks Stephen Dubner through the whole story, teaches him some blocking techniques, and explains why some infinities are bigger than others. If you'd like to see t ... Show More
32m 32s
Sep 11
686. Why Is It So Hard to Find an NFL Quarterback?
For decades, teams have tried (and mostly failed) to predict which college quarterbacks will thrive in the pros. Is the science finally catching up? Stephen Dubner speaks with a scout, a psychologist, a data warrior, and a Hall of Fame quarterback who nobody wanted. SOURCES:Scott ... Show More
58m 20s
Sep 9
Amazon Was Supposed to Kill the Bookstore. James Daunt Had Other Plans | Better in Person
He started with one small shop in London. He has since resuscitated both Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. He tells Stephen Dubner exactly how he does it. If you'd like to see the video version of Better in Person, you can watch it on YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast ... Show More
32m 9s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
General Motors CEO Mary Barra Talks EVs, Company Outlook
General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra discusses company outlook and the adoption of more affordable EVs. She speaks with Bloomberg's Jonathan Ferro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
9m 25s
May 2021
CEO Series: Mary Barra of General Motors on Committing to an Eco-Friendly Future
Mary Barra, chair and CEO of General Motors, says that electric vehicles are the future for the company and the automobile industry. GM has said it will phase out vehicles using internal combustion engines by 2035 and go carbon neutral at all of its facilities. Barra describes ho ... Show More
23m 19s
Apr 2022
Tesla vs Detroit | Motor City Fights Back | 3
The battle to dominate the EV market is on. Tesla’s market value is now around $20 billion. At this rate, Tesla could wipe the floor with GM in a decade. Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Chevrolet are taking notes. No one wants to be bringing up the rear. After near-devastating pr ... Show More
35m 43s
Oct 2023
Is Tesla’s EV Dynasty Over?
On this episode of Growth Stories, IBD’s Ed Carson and Ilaria Mazzocco of the Center for Strategic and International Studies take a look at how BYD is challenging Tesla for the top spot in electric vehicle sales — and what the intensifying competition says about the broader China ... Show More
11m 1s
May 2022
Tesla vs Detroit | Tales From the Tipping Point | 5
Electric vehicles have come a long way over the past century, and now, with gas prices at record highs, more and more drivers are thinking about taking the plunge (if they can get their hands on one).Today, we’re road-tripping through the electric vehicle landscape of today and t ... Show More
37m 9s
May 2023
Encore: Tesla vs Detroit | Motor City Fights Back | 3
The battle to dominate the EV market is on. Tesla’s market value is now around $20 billion. At this rate, Tesla could wipe the floor with GM in a decade. Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Chevrolet are taking notes. No one wants to be bringing up the rear. After near-devastating pr ... Show More
35m 39s
Sep 2023
Is India ready for Tesla?
It’s been a long wait for tech billionaire Elon Musk to push into India’s EV market. High import duties have kept Tesla out of India so far. Mr Musk has repeatedly sought to lower those duties, but the government wants the company to manufacture cars locally before considering ta ... Show More
18m 13s
Apr 2018
Adventures in Finance 62 - Powering Down: Beginning of the End for Tesla?
Can Tesla still take over the world – or is the end nigh for the ambitious electric car company? Charley Grant of the Wall Street Journal and Mark Spiegel of Stanphyl Capital join to discuss. Plus, in the long/short segment, Grant Williams and Alex Rosenberg trade the political c ... Show More
55m 26s
Apr 2023
Tesla’s Competition
Tesla hit all time records for production and deliveries but left Wall Street unsatisfied.  (00:21) Deidre Woollard and Asit Sharma discuss:  - Rivian’s profitability problem.  - How Tesla is trying to “push competitors into a bad spot.”  - Strategy shifts at Netflix.  - If strea ... Show More
25m 38s
Oct 2025
Why GM Is Slamming the Brakes on EV Ambitions
In 2021, GM and its CEO Mary Barra announced a bold plan to go all electric by 2035. But falling consumer demand and shriveling government support has undermined GM’s electric plans. Now, as Sharon Terlep reports, GM has gone from one of the industry’s loudest EV champions to a l ... Show More
17m 1s