Quality Job None? GM Says It Isn't Responsible For Lost Value In Cars Because Of Defects

General Motors asked a judge to knock out lawsuits demanding $10 billion for the lost value of millions of cars recalled this year for ignition-switch fixes and other repairs.

The automaker on Wednesday told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber in Manhattan that he freed it from responsibility for past errors when he signed off on a $49.5 billion government bailout in 2009.

GM in its filing argued against customers’ contention that it forfeited that immunity by hiding a long-known defect and exposing them to accidents and financial losses.