On a fateful day in 2001, a GM engineer realized during preproduction testing of the Saturn Ion that there was a defect that caused the small car’s engine to stall without warning.1 This switch was approved in 2002 by an engineer, Raymond DiGeorgio, who said he knew the switch was substandard, but “he did not think it could endanger lives.”2 The defect—that would allow the switch to disengage when a heavy keychain was jiggled by a knee or a pothole—was discovered again when the Chevrolet Cobalt replaced the Chevrolet Cavalier in 2004,3 but GM apparently did not realize the full significance of the problem until late 20134—that the defect would disable the car’s power-assisted steering, brakes, and airbags, and over 150 people would die as a result. How could this happen at one of the world’s largest carmakers?

When the engine stops in a car equipped with power steering and brakes, the driver suddenly has to exert almost superhuman strength to turn the car or to stop it, and the airbags may not work. When a moving car stalls without warning, the driver instantly finds that she or he is driving the equivalent of a block of concrete on wheels. Even if the driver is not stunned by the transition, the direction of the car and its speed often cannot be controlled by a person of normal strength. Even abnormal strength cannot activate airbags if they are electronically enabled, which GM’s were. The driver and passengers usually just have to go wherever the car is headed without the protection of brakes and airbags.

No wonder many people died or were injured..........

Questions:-
1. Why didn’t GM act effectively on suspicions that their ignition switches were faulty?
2. Who was at fault for the deaths and injuries involved, and why?
3. Should a company be able to escape liability for harming individuals by declaring bankruptcy?
4. Should any GM personnel go to jail over the ignition switch failures? If so, whom.
5. Would you trust GM enough to buy one of their cars in the future?
6. Was Mary Barra paid enough for the job she was required to do?