Bailout Watch 572: Government Fast-Tracking GM IPO, Taxpayer Screwing Confirmed

Ron Bloom, the defacto head of the government’s auto restructuring task force (or what’s left of it), tells Reuters that the government wants to hurry up a GM IPO in order to get out of the “investment” as soon as possible. And as we’ve predicted, this means taxpayers will be getting the fuzzy end of the lollypop.

Private markets would like to see us exit this investment, and I think they will be more comfortable if we’re on a sustained path out the door than if they think we’re going to try to market time it to maximize return.

And really, why would taxpayers expect any kind of a return from $50b dumped into one of the most prolific wealth destruction machines in recent economic history? So when will this IPO/giveaway take place?

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  • Paul I don't know how GM can fail to sell sedans. Other manufacturers seem to be able to, as others have noted. The Impala (which I've had as a rental) was a very nice sedan and the Malibu (which I had as a rental more recently) was a pleasant, competent vehicle also. Maybe they are still suffering from the bad rep they got in the malaise era into the 80s.
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X How a Versa that's a $18000 car became a $24000 car says a lot. Or even the jacked price of the current Frontiers. Not worth it.
  • MaintenanceCosts They should focus on major non-Interstate routes in the flat West. I recently did a central Texas trip with a Model S rental. It was just fine along the interstates but there were significant gaps on the big federal highways, which caused a bit of extra driving to reach charging stations. The one public (non-"customers only") charger in the greater Fredericksburg area was very busy, even at non-peak times.
  • Tassos Real Cars are RWD.So if you want a Lexus, try either the GS, or the flagship LS460 (before they mutilated it into the current failed model)The ES used to be a rebadged Camry, then became a rebadged Avalon at $10k more. Not a wise buy, unless you are a silly snob and would not be caught dead driving an econobox.
  • Ajla Sounds like the pinstripes, nitrogen, window tint, TruCoat, and "filing fee" is about to go up. It is pretty fun to see a $18K Versa with $3k in add ons.