[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by Matt Herring

GM lost almost $40 billion last year...it takes alot of $5000 cars to make that up!

GM: More buyouts after record $38.7B loss - Business First of Columbus:

edited to add the near $40 billion source

But they'd still be getting $15K per car.... From the OP:

that car could be sold for $5000, and the automakers get the difference to continue operations.