GM CEO Mary Barra on Tesla partnership: I texted Elon Musk

GM CEO Marry Barra joins CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Ideas Festival to discuss the company's EV transition, profitability targets, Tesla partnership, and more. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: cnb.cx/2NGeIvi
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
» Subscribe to CNBC: cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide.
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Twitter: cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
www.cnbc.com/select/best-cred...
#CNBC
#CNBCTV

[@jk8897]

Mary Barra is a businesswoman. Elon Musk is an entrepreneur. This is a huge difference. One leads and the other one follows.

[@wtfwtf611]

too bad you've never driven a tesla and couldn't tell the difference

[@jk8897]

@@wtfwtf611 I have lol

[@droomagon]

whom leads and whom follows? i wonder!?! i think the guy led, and girl followed, yup

[@davidc2838]

@@jk8897 If you would have put that in the proper order, you wouldn't seem as off to him.

[@MatteoComensoli]

obviusly mary lead ! and it matter ! 😂

[@pensinseo7745]

Talking is easy, production is..... hard

[@ISuperTed]

Simply miles behind in their product development, production processes and capacity compared to Tesla and falling further behind. No chance of this changing with MB at the helm.

[@rollie5579]

GM is DEAD MONEY

[@froth7133]

I think she is the best legacy CEO right now … she has gotten out of a hole she was left quite nicely. Corvette, Hummer, Autonomous driving … I’m been betting on her. Admittedly I’m down a bit but the only company they are chasing is Tesla. We shall see.

[@davidc2838]

@@froth7133 Nah, Ford has a much smaller number of vehicles that they need to convert to EVs. GM is going to waste $$$ BILLIONS of dollars converting too many different Models into EVs, while trying to hold onto their ICE business for too long. They probably won't hit Economies of Scale on any of them at this rate, which means that their EVs won't be profitable...while others (Like Ford, Rivian, Tesla, etc.) get profitability with a smaller number of Models and higher volume per model.

[@froth7133]

@@davidc2838 well I’ve made my bet and I believe as you do leadership matter. I’ve had the privilege of working with terrific leadership and she is consistent and has integrity. Love entrepreneurs, but focus isn’t a strength. Don’t take anything away from Musks brilliance. I’m out in the country enabled by his Starlink product … took 18 months to get it and he is flip flopping a bit on pricing and product, but thats what entrepreneurs do. They appropriately get credit for innovation, but running a large company… well Jobs was my hero knowing his strengths and weaknesses. Mush is all about him all the time. 100% … and that is his greatest challenge. We shall all see … by 2025 we won’t be guessing anymore.

[@LooniieC]

I'm new to cryptocurrency and I don't understand how it really works. Can someone guide me on the right approach to investing and making good profit from cryptocurrency investment!!

[@MollyGrainger]

All you need as a beginner to make good profit from cryptocurrency is a professional trader who will trade on your behalf else you may make losses!!

[@kiansmart]

That's right, you need an experienced trader to make good profits trading cryptocurrencies..

[@HGriffith]

Get an expert trader who will trade for you while you receive the profit. that's the best way to make good profit from cryptocurrency investment!!

[@Mrs.Brunilda]

How can someone know a professional trader that is trustworthy when legit ones are hard to find this days..

[@Pat_rick2]

I will recommend my current trader Mrs Krystal Kirk, she is from USA and her strategies are earning a lot profit for me..

[@raheimroberts3032]

She dodged all the questions😂😂

[@ai4px]

The key to being a good ceo or politician. Talk a lot but don’t answer the question

[@MatteoComensoli]

Yeah , that never happen ?? Lmao

[@HelloWorld-hb7yt]

Dr Mary... the share price is exactly the same when you became a CEO like decades ago.... just saying.

[@Wavyyyaf]

Mary is a fraud😂

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

"Dr" No. No. Not ever. Never.. Using this honorific is a huge insult to genuine, hard-working geniuses, such as Andrej Karpathy.

[@sg9414]

The difference - this woman talks SO fast, doesn't think about answers...just talk. When someone asks Elon a question, he takes time to reflect and give you an an honest answer. She's speed talking

[@tvm73836]

Good strategy. First outsource charging to TSLA and next would be battery and power train. Perhaps hold on to financing?

[@gospelgroupie]

Well, at least she might turn a profit.

[@TimeHomicide]

Yep, do what they do. Outsource everything.

[@richardfolden3860]

@@TimeHomicideTesla outsources virtually nothing. That’s why they are winning and are much more adaptable and versatile.

[@TimeHomicide]

@@richardfolden3860 I know.

[@davidc2838]

@@richardfolden3860 "They" was GM in Soundwave's comment...They (GM) do mostly outsourcing.

[@dangrass]

she talks a good game, but it's always "just wait until we figure it out". The problem is that GM is competing against a company that can sell EVs profitably RIGHT NOW. There's an implicit belief here that Tesla will stand still for the next 10 years....but this isn't reality. Basically, she's very cheerfully saying that GM will never be able to complete against Tesla. Not a good place to be.

[@erikbarsingerhorn4485]

Mary told us what plans they have, just as the past 5 years? Bob Lutz said, "Do you really think GM can't make an electric car?" Well Mary how many BEV'S have you sold? Excluding the Chinese mini car... The Bolt sales are on fire, that's true!

[@Tony-xu9bf]

Elon checkmate them. Now he has a hold of the charging market

[@markplott4820]

ELON plays 4D strip chess.

[@Mabeylater293]

They crushed the ev1 and Karma was having none of it 😂😂😂😂

[@pnketia]

It's interesting that she said, "We should all be partnering!" My guess is to save engineering costs GM will strike some future deal to buy EV parts and technology from one of the other EV startups similar to the deal just reached between Lucid and Aston Martin. But you did it Mary according to our President!

[@LuKiSCraft]

"You did it Mary! I'm serious!"

[@petertran5419]

GM sold their souls to the oil tycoon and are too comfortable in their ICE profit zone. Their engineers already came up with EV technologies decades ago but the executive greeds and other stake holders greeds are the culprit.

[@thevinceberry]

Now they sold their soul to whatever trend is happening. No affordable cars, all the EV are trucks and Cadillac🙄.

[@TaataGeo]

GM needs a younger hungry CEO

[@Celestialrob]

I really hope GM does well as so many families rely on them. They so desperately need a CEO with a vision and understanding of where things are headed versus a political strategist. I don't know Matt Barra, but don't trust her one inch.

[@markplott4820]

Mary LIED and it matters.

[@Celestialrob]

@@markplott4820 hilarious!

[@alanwong239]

does anyone realize she never mention a name "Tesla" or "Elon" on TV?

[@ISuperTed]

04:19 - interviewer says “No DM on Twitter with Elon” - totally blank look from Mary. She had no idea what he was talking about!

[@georgepelton5645]

GM is only making the products that customers tell them they want. They might as well start breeding faster horses, since that it what Henry Ford's customer's wanted. Steve Jobs might have made a better mainframe computer instead of the iPhone. Sigh.

[@factchecker9358]

You can't blame the GM CEO for this fast-moving chess game of tech and industry structure reaching the pivotal moves and the end coming into view. GM has so many anchors (UAW, dealers, methods) involved that it will not be competitive soon. Differences in dealership vs direct pricing is a huge factor in comparing old ways vs. new. But Tesla Mexico will be the final nail for mass market product acceptance and dominance. Somebody has to be in charge in any end game.

[@davidc2838]

Of course you can blame the CEO for GM...they've been borrowing money to do Stock Buybacks, instead of advancing their EV and Battery Tech earlier. When Tesla came out with the Model S in 2012, it was VERY clear that there would be a revolution in EVs...by the time Tesla launched the Model 3 in 2017 and got it to scale, it was already too late to start. GM could have been making an EV pickup Truck a LONG time ago...and it would have sold well...At a High Price.

[@glenw3814]

But...Ford 🤷‍♂️

[@CNT536]

You led, Mary. You electrified the auto industry. And it matters.

[@MatteoComensoli]

lol

[@timower5850]

As a manufacture looking around the business, I see my competitors powering their cars with electric motors, each with only three moving parts, and each about the size of an overinflated football. They then just hook this up to a battery and they're good to go. I, however, want to stay with my 600 lb, behemoth of an engine, comprised of 2000 precision engineered moving parts, and to which I must attach a myriad of parts to make it go, and to keep it going. What do I do?

[@dbabykurts591]

Walk😅

[@richardfolden3860]

Chapter 11

[@timower5850]

​@@richardfolden3860 Are you saying that just waffling on this cost me big time? Bummer.

[@richardfolden3860]

@@timower5850 KZbin’s interface is so crappy. My comment was on referring to a different comment talking about GM’s future.

[@timower5850]

@@richardfolden3860 Got it, though it seemed like good advice.

[@tc3983]

Software services by GM. 😂

[@markplott4820]

let TESLA make everything for gm excipt the shell.........lol

[@calvinsc5105]

That ain't partnership. GM LOST😂

[@thomasjacques5286]

Didn't our vegetable-in-chief say GM was the EV leader?

[@GFY11]

Reminds me of 90's Apple CEO Gil Amelio's quote about fixing a sinking ship by steering in the right direction 😂

[@jasonquito9156]

All American brand should work together for the benefit of every one the real treat are the Chinese brand.

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

That's the smart plan. But. Chevrolet could not work with Pontiac. Buick could not work with Oldsmobile. And every GM division worked together to sabotage Saturn.

[@qtheband751]

“I hear your questions but I’m not going to answer them.” “I will give you a spin on it though.

[@davidsc4680]

"openning autonomous vehicles for personal use", holy crap, of course, such a great idea, I wonder why nobody is working on this...oh wait

[@Imchkofficial]

Awesome Mary Barra great work. How can we reach you

[@Alexzw92]

Wow, this might actually be my favorite interview with her. Normally she talks like a politician, this time she talks like a politician that is pretending to be your buddy

[@bahamatodd]

Sounds like she and Elon are texting buddies. 😂

[@markplott4820]

Typhoid MARY should be FIRED as CEO of GM.

[@markdc1145]

GM isn't delivering. Next CEO, please!

[@richardfolden3860]

They are beyond saving.

[@markplott4820]

gm is unable to Execute .

[@michaelmiller6878]

People are clamoring to have some of that GM tech that will drive their profitability 😂

[@dboyette42]

LOL Marry has Elon on her speed dial too funny. By 2035 GM will be gone.

[@TimeHomicide]

They will produce the Tesla 25k car. That will be their new role. Managing Tesla's production.

[@markplott4820]

2024.

[@richardfolden3860]

@@TimeHomicideTesla has the Mexico plant to make that car. There is no need for GM.

[@TimeHomicide]

@@richardfolden3860 decades down the road homie. Its GMs only hope. Settle down. You must be new to Tesla. I've been here since the start dude. Tesla will need more plants and what will GM do with their old plants? Get it now? Its a possibility, that's all.

[@richardfolden3860]

@@TimeHomicide tell me you don’t understand the S curve without telling me you don’t understand the S curve. Tesla’s worst experience with a factory was taking over someone else’s. GM doesn’t bring anything to the table. They’re gone. Get it? PS - here longer than you.

[@prophetalucroleadershipdev2455]

Give the consumers what they want.

[@edwardtse8631]

The existing non tesla 13000 chargers is a joke

[@gjsprophet5422]

The absence of pro-Barra comments is testament to the absence of reasons to be pro-Barra. I mean, being a woman CEO does nothing to increase profits. Breaking glass ceilings has not increased GM share price the 10 years Barra has been CEO. Really, what are GM's achievements since Barra took the helm at GM.

[@tampaed]

This CEO is running GM into the ground

[@markplott4820]

mary emBARAsing......lol

[@SeattleFSD]

She's focused on their "portfolio" instead of building cars 😂

[@thevinceberry]

Ask her why she hire a chef diversity officer. That's all you need to know about her managment.

[@TheJ1s]

I don't know if she's married but implying there is something between her and Elon is wild, though this GM and Tesla deal could really help their future sales. I don't buy everything else she said but hey I hope they figure out their EV lineup better.

[@getlostexplorer8911]

Mary said they have 13,000 "chargers" already. LOL. What a slimy response. How many public dc fast charging stations do they have? The only way GM will survive the EV transition is to pay off more politicians for a bailout.

[@ACK333]

I think that is IP wars, wealthiest would buy the valued IP product and that’s why the stock markets of IP worth lots of commissions.

[@gospelgroupie]

What's the backdrop? The Mexican border?

[@homercuts]

I would set her straight bro tell her to bring back the Buick Grand National all black!

[@michaelmiller6878]

What an amazing portfolio of EV’s….on paper lol

[@jackkonnof4106]

I dont understand why their quality is getting worse? How do you make a great product and then not? Are there employee problems? Or is management driving their good people away? Whats going on?

[@solarenergynow08]

2035? This lady will be in a Rich Retirement home so she could care less...it's the execution and management that have dragged this company over and over...not a GM Management fan here BUT GM Engineering seems as good as ever: The Silverado EV looks like a very good 1.0 version..promising with some adjustments/refinements

[@richardfolden3860]

Yeah, GM is really good at making that irrelevant thing that nobody will want, but has very little talent concerning its replacement.

[@Papeeshka]

Are they gonna bring back the cable cars they destroyed in LA?

[@jasonjefferson7022]

Cast iron exhaust manifolds. Cast iron intake manifold with 1"3/4" runners. 180mm electronic throttle body. Go Sam Houston.

[@DocOrtmeyer]

She just broke her promise to Elon and joined the other side. They deserve to go under.

[@johnjohn3241]

Leader of the EV space my ass.

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

Yeah, Out in space - that could be true.

[@xordoom8467]

I don't trust a thing that comes out of the lady's mouth, she has NO integrity after allowing the president of the United States to shower her with praise for "Leading" the EV transformation. If she had any character, she would of held a news conference of her own and corrected him by stating Tesla is the actual leader but our goal is to eventual become the leader. If she would of said that many people would of respected her more and even look positively on GM... Character & Integrity is everything, to bad she doesn't have either...

[@aro-rat]

GM will take FSD and use their people in other areas, use Tesla electric harness and cameras, use Tesla batteries.

[@jasonjefferson7022]

I'm not partnering with Tesla. Im not doing EV. To cover the main stream we're gonna learn from prior purchases and manufacture a comfort and well functioning vehicle. Go Sam Houston.

[@davidneuzil9356]

Mary did a good job. She has to be careful in what and how she says it, she has to be concerned with what she says and how it will be interpeted with shareholders, the UAW, Institutional Investors, etc... She mentions the doubling of charges but fails to mention Tesla is the only one that is dependable. She still has the typical CEO role playing she has to do. A bit sad.

[@richardfolden3860]

What is the thing she did that was a good job?

[@SeattleFSD]

Mary's text to Elon: 🆘 Please help me save $400 million 🆘

[@markglover2565]

More like, “please help me save GM”.

[@jbspaintanddetailing7696]

more like are you hiring!!!

[@enoughofthis]

She should have said. " we partnered with Nicolas, lordstwon,why not Tesla"?

[@user-tx9zg5mz5p]

Barra should be replaced immediately

[@dagobaker]

this is great for people driving gas cars demand goes down..... gas prices go down then electric prices go up cause of demand...... hum

[@richardfolden3860]

Yeah, that might happen for a minute, but that’s not how that works. Oil companies aren’t going to stay upright when there is an over abundance of fuel nobody wants. Then all the subsidies for fossil fuels will disappear. Gas eventually will be a very expensive specialty item for hobbyists.

[@g4do]

Mary Barra is not good at her job and I'm confused as to why she's been in her position for so long . The Suburban/ Escalade platform is too heavy and underpowered and should have been addressed a long time ago. The Camaro needs more innovation and less weight and possibly all wheel drive. The C8 is weak, from the base trim , all the way up to the ZR1. Rumors has it being a hybrid like the Eray, only it has the 5.5 from the Z06 . The Eray should only be paired with the 5.5... the 6.2 should have never been used . The ZR1 should be much more special. Customers have been waiting on this damned variant for a long time, only to get a hybrid that can't beat a Porsche 918 . Why Mary ? Why so many bad decisions? Just being business savvy isn't enough, just like the effort put forth isn't enough. Quality is lacking , innovation is lacking, everything is ... blah ...

[@NickFoxer]

GM is great at saying the names of their upcoming EV products. They're not as great at actually producing them.... Once again she didn't say the word Tesla... "Cruise" FSD? Pure comedy.

[@nishantpatel5945]

Mary Barra aka GM and Jim Farley aka Ford are what I call "wanna bees". They have and had millions of dollars in R&D spending. If they wanted to they could have utilize that R&D budget to come up with good EV car well ahead of Tesla but their finite mindset kept them stuck in a rut. Now that someone else has created a EV market, they NOW want piece of that market. No wonder they are far behind the game because they are follower, not leaders. Their transition to EV is not purpose driven, its money driven. Unfortunately because of that they won't be successful in the EV market. I want them to be successful in EV market but every time I hear both of them. I just feel that they are doing this because someone else has created a market for them to make money of off. Both Ford and GM are another "Blockbuster" waiting to happen.

[@jed2049]

Lies, more lies, and damn lies. GM get rekt.

[@deani2431]

Ahh….yes…Mary….you led. 😂 i.e: FSD…..sure hope you keep a good relationship with Elon.

[@ACK333]

Intangible ASSETS management service, TRUST of assets and wealth management as per the wealthiest choices after death, that is the most valuable Trust and promise in the World.

[@LaJuanHughes]

They blew it when thay got ride if rhe ev1. But thanks to that we got Tesla . So in a way thanks GM.

[@adrianhochmann3091]

2:11 seems like a lie. As if they are the only oems that want to change all their line up to evs.

[@djammer]

Tesla is going to eat GM’s lunch way before 2035

[@gjsprophet5422]

This interview has not aged well. Cruise Autonymous driving is on life support. Honda GM deal is dead. Many EV GM plans are now being delayed. It's not a demand problem, it is a lack of profit problem. Can't get to scale especially with the UAW torpedoing and hope to EV profit. Dealerships hate EVs. Not a good picture. If you hold GM stock, it is time to unload. Buffett agrees.

[@PAPATexas]

I was going to buy more Tesla at 200, I don't think it will get back there!

[@charlesgreen4240]

I'm interested in what GM will do with its massive debt. My guess... It will again be shoved onto the American Taxpayer.

[@HenryMPHone]

Mary kissed the ring or ass! No leadership😂

[@jk8897]

GM must fire her assap

[@MelvinMyla]

What type of border crossing they got going on in the background 😂😅

[@EricRatzlaff_]

Bullish on $TSLA

[@ACK333]

I am looking for the TRUST of Uber Medicines Deliveries Service with the authorities TRUST.

[@ACK333]

Especially for the Working CLASS in the World.

[@ACK333]

We can’t stop the nuclear Water Pump, we can try our best always.

[@mlee1308]

Haven’t produced many cars. Still waiting.

[@rollie5579]

SO HAPPY I SOLD ALL MY GM AND F AND BOUGHT TSLA, GM IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE DEAD MONEY

[@richardfolden3860]

The real question is why did you have those in the first place. F is the same price it was in the early 90s.

[@rollie5579]

@@richardfolden3860 You are so right!

[@andis9076]

Market pie is so big, they all racing to get a piece of it, as many as possible.

[@mikecatlin2750]

Mike Worth better start investing in the future of energy!!

[@user-eq7mg1oe8u]

She's a good liar. What the consumers want? The consumers didn't ask for EV, the government is telling you "make EV"

[@mrpogi23]

Autonomous seems cool... but it takes away JOBS. So keep it minimum but the point of these investments are by PUTTING PEOPLE JOBS.

[@stevenberry54]

mid-single digits? Oof.

[@bnd123us]

Whopping 2 Hummer EVs were sold last year.

[@GoBFree]

She really is not leading the effort to electric transportation. She is not an innovator but appeasing Wall Street. Who mentions Hummer ev's and maintains credibility?

[@richardfolden3860]

Imagine thinking there will be combustion engines in 2035, lol! 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@davidc2838]

There will be...There's 250 MILLION+ ICE vehicles in the US right now. Even if ALL of the vehicles sold in 2035 are EVs, it will take 15 to 20 years to get rid of older ICE vehicles from that time.

[@richardfolden3860]

@@davidc2838 first) no one will be buying any of them, second) you are making a big assumption that there will be fuel for them, third) they may be mandated out of existence

[@davidc2838]

@@richardfolden3860 There’s almost 300 MILLION ICE vehicles in the US right now. As I mentioned, even if they aren’t selling ANY ICE vehicles in 2035, there will still be a Couple Hundred MILLION ICE vehicles driving around in the US. So pretending that there won’t be ICE vehicles in the US (or Latin / S. America / Canada) by 2035 is simply not being realistic. There will still be people driving them. Some states will still allow the manufacture and sales of ICE vehicles well past 2035…just to be difficult about it. And plenty of people will still “ONLY want to buy an ICE vehicle” by 2035. That’s only 12 years from now. There will still be gasoline stations and BIG OIL and the Gas Station Lobby will still be paying politicians to pass BIG OIL / Gasoline friendly laws through their SuperPACs. I am a big fan of EVs and believe Tesla may be the largest automaker by 2035… But I also know PLENTY of people who will never let anyone take their ICE vehicles (Mostly Trucks & SUVs) away from them. The used vehicle market is also way skewed towards ICE vehicles and will continue to be for several decades. Unless the US does a MASSIVE “Cash For Clunkers” Program to get people to trade in their ICE vehicles, there will still be WAY more ICE vehicles on the road in 2035 than EVs in the US. Can’t get rid of 200 Million vehicles overnight, when they’re still selling about 15 to 1 ICE vehicles to EVs right now in the US. Cheers

[@joncoyne6995]

Gm will b one of the fatalities of evs

[@MatteoComensoli]

in che senso

[@5150Rockstar]

These CEO’s need to say less.

[@rajeshchinchankar8216]

Mary Barra you cant have too many EV product portfolio from Chevy/cadilac/GMC etc. it will be mess, people will be confused as what to buy. we know your excited, but look at Tesla & only 4 models, they are making profits. First mistake is to close sedans, see if you can convert chevy sedans to EV, then focus on small SUV & your design team really needs to gear up, come up with design/asthetics. The interiors of GM vehicle really bad. Keep it simple & straight.

[@sbsankey]

Good, finally got rid of the leather jacket.

[@deanriver9388]

GM sucks. Lets put more 4 cylinder engines in the Silverado. What a stupid Idea. Overpriced junk.

[@auroraenergywellness]

Id say they didn't care until now and pressure and as usual can't really handle it haha they are like that 60 yr old man that never wants to eat vegetables even if he was dying haha change is slow and unwelcomed but they might do something if they REALLY have to

[@markplott4820]

Mary BS emBARAsing

[@rafaelmurciaballester5474]

From Spain-Alicante, you lost ask how many CruiseAV will have and, in how many cities in US? , and China? to 2025, 2026 and 2030?, because if can take ride in my ebike, rent two wheels :), bus with driver, train, and autonomous robo tax,i I wont buy neither ice car or electric car. How happy are taxi driver in SF?. And how many car will be sell less in SF, Phoenix, Austin, Dallas and Houston? And in 2030 in US, or in China wich older people, or in Europe wich big downtown. The fight is robotaxi¡¡¡

[@struckync]

GM will be gone in 20 to 25 years. they dont make anything the average person can buy. Chevrolet has 1 car, 1!! the malibu. NO THANK YOU

[@CCxKiller13]

60 days lol

[@ljacobs357]

Perhaps they can teach Tesla how to make a reliable car.

[@BFArch0n]

lmfao

[@richardfolden3860]

Lol! Tesla leads the industry in returning customers, so it looks like they have things pretty well handled.

[@trudin4583]

Should drive a Tesla and you will know Tesla will dominate the ev market

[@richardfolden3860]

@@trudin4583 most of this moronic audience hasn’t even driven an EV but think they know all about them. Tesla will dominate the market, not just the EV market.

[@davidc2838]

@@trudin4583 Tesla already DOES dominate the EV Market.... ;-)

[@mbeliv3763]

what a lost of time talking with Mary Barra