According to Sawyer Merritt, GM CEO Mary Barra revealed in a recent interview that she told then-President Joe Biden much of the credit for electric vehicle (EV) adoption should go to Elon Musk and Tesla, rather than GM. This public acknowledgment positions Tesla as the primary driver of EV innovation, which has major implications for AI-powered automotive development. Tesla's leadership in AI-based autonomous driving technologies, such as Full Self-Driving (FSD), has accelerated the industry-wide adoption of AI in mobility. For businesses, this highlights key growth opportunities in AI software for EVs, autonomous vehicle fleet management, and AI-driven manufacturing. As OEMs like GM recognize Tesla’s AI and EV ecosystem leadership, suppliers and startups focusing on AI vehicle integration, autonomous systems, and data analytics are likely to see increased demand and investment. (Source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter)

According to Sawyer Merritt, Tesla's potential move to adopt Apple CarPlay as GM phases out the feature may drive a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly among tech-savvy buyers who prioritize seamless AI-powered infotainment systems (source: Sawyer Merritt, Twitter, Nov 14, 2025). As AI integration in automotive infotainment becomes a key differentiator, Tesla’s adoption of CarPlay could enhance user experience, increase customer retention, and attract new buyers from competitors like GM. This trend highlights the growing importance of AI-enabled connectivity and third-party ecosystem integration in the automotive industry, presenting significant business opportunities for AI developers and automakers focusing on smart vehicle platforms.