[Setec Astronomy]

A lot of great companies have gone bankrupt, but I've always admired GM.

There is the famous story here in NJ about when in WWII, many industrial plants were converted to manufacture war equipment, the GM Linden plant was switched over to building Navy aircraft (forcing construction of the now-defunct Linden Airport across the street to allow the planes to fly away). According to a local newspaper story years ago, the plane in which George H.W. Bush was shot down in was built in the Linden plant.

GM (as well as Ford and Chrysler) stayed in the military/defense/aerospace business after the war, including participation in the Apollo (moon landing) program. The peak of their aerospace involvement probably came in the 80's when they bought Hughes Electronics (yes, Howard Hughes' company), a major player at the time (since split up and sold to Raytheon and Boeing).

GM covered the waterfront in capability, with their own captive divisions making really every part of the car, Harrison Radiator making radiators, heater cores and A/C condensers, Delco making batteries, plugs, electronics, starters, Rochester making carbs and later fuel injectors. I can't remember the name of the div. that made the wiring. Transmissions, axles, you name it. Their New Departure-Hyatt division made wheel bearings (as well as plenty of other bearings). It's sad enough the mfg. capability and expertise that has been shed by the closure or sale of these divisions, but it will be a very sad day if this industrial icon falls.