[DGthe3]

Owing money means that there is some specified amount that you've got to pay back. Under that definition, GM doesn't owe the US government any money from the bailout or the subsequent post-bankruptcy loan (thats the one the paid back in the spring). At least, General Motors Company doesn't. I think Motors Liquidation Company (formerly General Motors Corporation, aka Old GM) might have that debt on their books. But even if they are supposedly responsible for it, they're not going to be paying back a whole lot if it. They've got a bunch of other debts to be paid as well, and not a whole lot of assets to pay it with. And for that very reason, the US, Canadian, and Ontario governments (plus the UAW's VEBA fund) took ownership of the brand spankin' new General Motors Company. The intention is to get back an amount roughly equivelent to the amount each one was owed by 'Old GM' when they sell off their portion of the company.

But nobody can predict just how much they'll get from selling their shares. Might be 50% of what they were owed (which is still a lot more than what they'd get if GM liquidated last summer). On the other hand, it could work out to 50% more than what they were owed (expect that to happen the day after GM announces the Z28 MSRP to be $9,995 + destination).