General Motors is an icon of Corporate America. It employs 1 million people all around the globe, has the 4th largest revenue of any company in the world and the 10th largest stock market valuation. 40% of all cars in America are made by this giant. They managed to survive the energy crises of the 70s and the rise of japanese competition through consistent investment in their products and production methods and by sourcing successful small car models from their European divisions. So how could they have failed, perhaps going bankrupt. Maybe they could blow their cash on stupid boondoggles that sour their reputation for quality.