re: #285 Mattand

The auto bailout monies are in two categories - the direct bailout, which has largely been repaid by Chrysler (Fiat) and GM, and the stock ownership that was part of the reorganization of both GM and Chrysler.

It’s the stock ownership portion of the bailout that is a persistent loss for the taxpayers unless the stocks for those companies rise above the strike price (which I think is in the mid 40s for GM). Selling at less than that price would mean a loss. So, as of now, the losses are paper losses. If GM stock price rises to that strike level, the taxpayers would be fully covered. If it goes above that level, taxpayers get a windfall profit.

The selling of GM stock would depend on the politics - not wanting to take undue losses versus needing to divest from the position. IIRC some 500 million GM shares are owned by the feds.

*added* - the feds sold their remaining shares to Fiat, giving Fiat more than 50% ownership in the company, and the feds lost $1.3 billion on the whole from Chrysler.