Wow. It's just one bad idea after another.

General Motors Corp. is teaming with Segway Inc., maker of the upright, self-balancing scooters, to build a new type of two-wheeled vehicle designed to move easily through congested urban streets. The machine, which GM says it aims to develop by 2012, would run on batteries and use wireless technology to avoid traffic backups and navigate cities.

The Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility) prototype is shown in Brooklyn April 4. GM and Segway say the vehicle could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly, and at a lower total cost.

The struggling auto maker, surviving on a government lifeline, is looking to generate enthusiasm for its increasingly uncertain future ahead of the New York auto show this week.

GM has slashed product-development programs, advertising and spending on auto-show events. But it will take to the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday to show off a prototype of the vehicle, called PUMA, for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility.

The Segway Personal Transporter was launched with considerable hype eight years ago but practical issues prevented the scooter from becoming a mass-market product, including its relatively high cost and restrictions on its use in many jurisdictions.

GM is betting PUMA's more car-like traits -- an enclosed compartment and top speed of 35 miles per hour -- will lead to better results. GM didn't say how much the machines would cost, but research chief Larry Burns said owners would spend one-third to one-fourth of the cost of a traditional vehicle.

PUMA would have a range of about 35 miles. GM said it aims to use so-called vehicle-to-vehicle technology to avoid traffic problems and potentially have it navigate itself through city streets.

Have you ever heard of a more stupid strategy in your life? And have you seen the commercials for the GM Confidence Program? "America needs a comeback" is amoung the announcer's first words, while you see GM employees in their "rally caps".

You know what America needs, GM? We need corporate executives that are not greedy, arrogant leeches. We need humble, sincere leaders who take responsibility when things go wrong and share praise when things go right. We need good products sold at fair prices, not flashy colors and gimmicks with a fancy (and expensive) marketing campaign. We need reliability and economy, both in our gas mileage and our pocketbooks. We need you to stop pointing fingers, tighten your belt before you cinch the belts of your employees, roll up your sleeves and remind America that you have not forgotten how to do hard work before you expect to reap rewards.

We need you to stop talking so much and listen.

Are you listening? Is anyone there?