I wonder if this is a place where being young hand having lots of automation really helps out. Organizations invariably grow organically, GM had no way of knowing what would be required of them 50 years ago, so the processes are likely weird.
Tesla's processes will be weird in 50 years - if they're even around. but today, I'd imagine that kind of complexity is way way easier to manage if you're aware of it from the start. Rather than getting it right the first time, build the whole organization around coping with those little variations.
OTOH, i have no evidence they actually do that... Just seems possible for Tesla and very hard for GM.
Tesla's processes will be weird in 50 years - if they're even around. but today, I'd imagine that kind of complexity is way way easier to manage if you're aware of it from the start. Rather than getting it right the first time, build the whole organization around coping with those little variations.
OTOH, i have no evidence they actually do that... Just seems possible for Tesla and very hard for GM.