Tesla and General Motors represent different strategies for competing in the emerging electric vehicle market. Tesla aims to lead innovation by driving down battery costs to make EVs affordable and mass market. In contrast, GM's strategy is to invest in EV technology as a smaller proportion of overall investment and act as a fast follower, leveraging its large size and global manufacturing capabilities. While the EV market is still small, factors like falling battery prices, government incentives, and rising fuel costs suggest it will become viable on a larger scale by 2020.