General Motors (GM) vs Tesla (TSLA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
General Motors (GM) has outperformed Tesla (TSLA) over the past year, gaining 41.4% versus a loss of 12.8%. Over five years, GM leads with a +39.6% price change compared with +34.4% for TSLA. Tesla is the larger company by market cap ($1.49 trillion vs $71.06 billion), about 21.0 times the size, while General Motors is growing revenue faster (-1.3% vs -2.9%).
On valuation, General Motors trades at a lower forward P/E (5.4x vs 176.2x for Tesla). General Motors pays a dividend yielding 0.81%, while Tesla does not currently pay one. Tesla converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 4.0% versus 1.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | GM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $80.99 | $377.81 |
| Market cap | $71.06B | $1.49T |
| 1-day change | -1.24% | -0.75% |
| YTD return | -0.41% | -15.99% |
| 1-year return | +41.44% | -12.76% |
| 5-year return | +39.64% | +34.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.81 | 353.09 |
| Forward P/E | 5.38 | 176.16 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.20 | $1.07 |
| Dividend yield | 0.81% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.66 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $185.02B | $94.83B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.29% | -2.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.70B | $3.79B |
| Gross margin | — | 18.03% |
| Operating margin | 1.57% | 4.59% |
| Net margin | 1.46% | 4.00% |
| 52-week high | $91.85 | $498.83 |
| 52-week low | $54.33 | $297.38 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.82% | -24.26% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.05% | +4.97% |
| Average volume | 6.69M | 37.87M |
| Shares outstanding | 877.45M | 3.95B |
| Employees | 156,000 | 134,785 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Auto Manufacturing | Auto Manufacturing |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Tesla is about 21.0 times larger than General Motors by market value ($1.49T vs $71.06B).
- GM has outperformed TSLA by 54.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Tesla trades at a higher earnings multiple (353.1x vs 36.8x trailing P/E).
About General Motors
GM stock →General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts worldwide. It operates through GM North America, GM International, and GM Financial segments.
Industrials · Auto Manufacturing · 156,000 employees
About Tesla
TSLA stock →Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally.
Industrials · Auto Manufacturing · 134,785 employees
GM vs TSLA FAQ
Which is bigger, General Motors or Tesla?
Tesla (TSLA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.49T compared with $71.06B for General Motors (GM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GM or TSLA?
GM returned +41.44% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.76% for TSLA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GM or TSLA?
GM has the lower trailing P/E at 36.8, versus 353.1 for TSLA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, General Motors or Tesla?
General Motors pays a dividend yielding 0.81%, while Tesla does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are General Motors and Tesla in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Auto Manufacturing industry within the Industrials sector.