Yes, a slow transition from ICE to EV would have benefited Legacy Auto as they would have had time to slowly increase margins on EVs as it cannibalized their ICE vehicles. If they started in earnest in 2012, even just building their capability slowly and developing partnerships with suppliers, etc, they would be in better shape now.
They felt no urgency to get started as they likely thought the EV transition was years away . . . .not anticipating that a start-up like Tesla would accelerate the transition as it has.