A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of TSLA (Tesla, Inc.) and GM (General Motors Company) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.
If you're choosing between TSLA and GM, the answer depends on what kind of investor you are. Both are watched closely in the Consumer Cyclical sector, but they look different on almost every metric that matters: P/E, growth rate, dividend, balance-sheet quality, and volatility.
Below we break down the head-to-head numbers, name a winner on each dimension, and give a clear recommendation by investor type. Want to run this comparison live with charts and 50+ metrics? Use the free interactive TSLA vs GM comparison tool.
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)
Consumer Cyclical · Auto - Manufacturers · NASDAQ
Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. This segment also provides sedans and sport utility vehicles through direct and used vehicle sales, a network of Tesla Superchargers, and in-app upg…
General Motors Company (GM)
Consumer Cyclical · Auto - Manufacturers · NYSE
General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts and accessories in North America, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, South America, the United States, and China. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. The company also sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and purpose-built vehicles to dealers for consumer retail sales, as well as to fleet customers, including daily ren…
Quick Verdict
Editor's Take: TSLA and GM both sell cars. That's where the resemblance ends.
GM is a 116-year-old industrial business that makes most of its money selling pickup trucks and SUVs to Americans, with a slow but real EV transition underway. Tesla is a $700B+ moonshot priced on the assumption that robotaxis, full self-driving, energy storage, and humanoid robots will eventually justify the multiple — none of which generate meaningful revenue yet.
On every traditional auto metric, GM wins. GM has higher margins on its profitable trucks, pays a dividend, trades at ~6× earnings. Tesla trades at 60-80× depending on the quarter. If you score them as car companies, GM is dramatically cheaper. The argument for TSLA isn't that it's cheaper — it's that it's not really a car company anymore. The argument for GM is that it is, and you're paying a reasonable price for the cash flows of selling F-150 competitors.
Realistic framing: TSLA is a 5-10% portfolio position for someone who believes in autonomy and is willing to lose 50%+ if it doesn't materialize. GM is a 2-4% position for someone who wants exposure to the cyclical auto business at a value price with dividend income. Owning both at 50/50 weight is the worst of both worlds — you're diluting the Tesla optionality and overpaying for the GM cash flows.
How to Read This TSLA vs GM Comparison
Stock comparisons can be misleading if you focus on a single metric. A "cheaper" P/E doesn't automatically make a stock a better buy — slower-growing companies should trade at lower multiples. The right framework is to score each name on four independent dimensions and weight them according to your investing goal.
The Four-Dimension Framework
- Growth — How fast is the business expanding? We look at year-over-year revenue and EPS growth. Faster growers earn premium multiples but carry execution risk.
- Value — Are you paying a fair price? P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA, and free cash flow yield tell you what the market is charging per dollar of business performance.
- Income — Does the stock pay you to wait? Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend history matter for retirees, FIRE investors, and anyone funding ongoing expenses.
- Safety — How much can you lose if things go wrong? Low beta, manageable debt-to-equity, and high ROE indicate a more durable business.
No single stock wins on all four. TSLA and GM likely each lead on at least one dimension. The "right" answer is the one that matches your portfolio gap — if you already own a basket of high-growth tech, the cheaper, lower-volatility name probably adds more diversification value than another momentum bet.
Side-by-Side Metrics: TSLA vs GM
| Metric | TSLA | GM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $481.20 | $78.33 |
| Market Cap | $1.55T | $73.07B |
| P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| EPS | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.88% |
| Beta (volatility vs market) | 1.88 | 1.29 |
| ROE (higher is better) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Debt/Equity (lower is safer) | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -2.93% | -1.29% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -47.09% | -48.37% |
| 52-Week High | $495.28 | $85.18 |
| 52-Week Low | $214.25 | $41.60 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
Which Stock Has Better Growth?
TSLA grew revenue -2.93% and EPS -47.09% year-over-year. GM grew revenue -1.29% and EPS -48.37%.
Roughly tied — growth profiles are roughly comparable.
Which Stock Is Cheaper on Valuation?
TSLA trades at a P/E of 0.00, while GM trades at 0.00. ROE for TSLA is 0.00% versus 0.00% for GM.
Roughly tied — both trade at similar earnings multiples.
Which Stock Pays More Income?
TSLA yields 0.00%; GM yields 0.88%.
GM wins — 0.88% yield vs the other name's lower payout.
Which Stock Is the Safer Bet?
TSLA has a beta of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. GM sits at beta 1.29 and D/E 0.00.
Roughly tied — risk profiles look similar.
Where TSLA and GM Sit in Their 52-Week Range
Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.
- TSLA currently trades at $481.20, near the upper end of its 52-week range — momentum is strong but the easy gains may be behind it (52-week range: $214.25–$495.28).
- GM currently trades at $78.33, near the upper end of its 52-week range — momentum is strong but the easy gains may be behind it (52-week range: $41.60–$85.18).
Key Risks for TSLA and GM
Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:
- TSLA: elevated beta of 1.88 means larger drawdowns when the market sells off; revenue declined 2.93% year-over-year — confirm whether this is cyclical or structural.
- GM: revenue declined 1.29% year-over-year — confirm whether this is cyclical or structural.
This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.
TSLA vs GM — Best Pick by Investor Type
- Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward either name works; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
- Income / dividend-focused: GM — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
- Aggressive growth: either name works — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
- Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.
The Bottom Line: TSLA vs GM
On balance, GM wins on 1 of 4 dimensions, making it the slightly better all-around pick for a generalist investor.
If you're the kind of investor who hates picking, the easiest answer is to own both names in equal weight inside a sector basket and rebalance once a year. That way, you capture the winner without having to predict it, and you pay the lowest possible behavioral cost (no second-guessing, no FOMO).
If you must pick one, anchor on the dimension that fixes your biggest portfolio gap — not the one with the most exciting headline. Tilting toward defensive names when you already own three growth winners adds more risk-adjusted return than another momentum bet.
Metrics Glossary — What Each Number Means
If you're new to fundamental analysis, here's a plain-English reference for every metric in the table above:
- P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings): Share price divided by earnings per share. Tells you how many years of current earnings the stock costs. Lower = cheaper, but slow growers should have lower P/Es.
- EPS (Earnings Per Share): Net income divided by shares outstanding. The per-share slice of company profits.
- Market Cap: Share price × shares outstanding. The market's total valuation of the company's equity.
- Dividend Yield: Annual dividend per share ÷ current price, expressed as a percent. A 3% yield means you receive $3 per year for every $100 invested at today's price.
- Beta: Volatility relative to the broader market (S&P 500 = 1.0). Beta of 1.5 means the stock historically moves 1.5× the market, both up and down.
- ROE (Return on Equity): Net income ÷ shareholder equity. How efficiently the company turns equity capital into profit. Above 15% is generally considered high quality.
- Debt-to-Equity: Total debt ÷ shareholder equity. Lower ratios mean less leverage and lower interest-rate risk.
- Revenue Growth (YoY): Percentage change in revenue versus the year-ago period. The single best top-line health check.
- EPS Growth (YoY): Same comparison but for earnings per share — captures both revenue growth and operating leverage.
- 52-Week High / Low: The trailing 12-month price range. Useful for context on current price (e.g. a stock near its 52-week high is in an uptrend; near the low is in a downtrend or value zone).
Run a Live TSLA vs GM Comparison
The numbers above reflect the latest available data, but markets move every minute. For a real-time, interactive head-to-head with price charts (1D to YTD), all 50+ metrics, and AI-powered insights, use our free tool — it's free, no signup required, and shareable:
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Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.