Seriously, would  you bail out this friend?
  
 GM  Announces New Small Car For US Market
 
GM plans to bring the  five-door hatchback G3 to the US early next year  that offers an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the  highway while providing the best shoulder and hip room in the segment for  seating five adults.   
  
  
  
 Meanwhile VW Golf BlueMotion Gets 74 MPG  On Sale  Mid-2009
 
A  new hyper-efficient 1.6 TDI diesel engine also means that the latest offering  boasts fuel economy of 74.3mpg (combined), an improvement of around 20% on the  Mark V, while still enabling acceleration from 0-60 mph in 11.2 seconds,  apparently due to improved aerodynamics and a new ’sporty’ gearbox...  while providing MORE shoulder and hip room for seating five  adults than the GM   
  
  
 MY FATHER HAD A 78' Corolla that sat  five and got 40mpg and so does my 93' GEO Prism (Corolla  drivetrain)
  
 I think GM needs a "technology intervention" and not  financial support... giving them more money is like taking a drunk to a bar to  talk about their drinking problem.