system
A chat on subreddit /r/wallstreetbets
human
No debt...Yea ok buddy! 😂

According to the General Motors's most recent balance sheet as reported on October 25, 2022, total debt is at $112.61 billion, with $77.52 billion in long-term debt and $35.08 billion in current debt. Adjusting for $20.75 billion in cash-equivalents, the company has a net debt of $91.86 billion.

Based on Ford Motor's financial statement as of October 27, 2022, long-term debt is at $84.28 billion and current debt is at $44.05 billion, amounting to $128.33 billion in total debt. Adjusted for $21.55 billion in cash-equivalents, the company's net debt is at $106.78 billion.
gpt
Also, auto-related consumer debt matters. Not only do F and GM need to make their own debt payments, but consumers need to be able to take on the debt to purchase the cars that allow F and GM to meet their debt obligations. 

If interest rates go up consumers can't afford to do that as much, so expect lower sales volume. If we get a recession with increased unemployment, then again sales volumes drop because consumers can't or wont risk big ticket purchases as much.

The growth years for F and GM are when we are coming out the other side of an economic downturn, during which interest rates are lower and employment numbers and consumer optimism are improving.