US carmakers running out of time

Washington - Detroit's "Big Three" automakers are running out of time in their quest to convince sceptical lawmakers that congress should throw them a $25bn lifeline to save the once-proud titans of American industry.

Top executives with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler will return to Congress on Wednesday, appearing before a House committee to plead for a "bridge loan" to give them a massive infusion of cash to prevent millions of lay-offs, stave off bankruptcy and stabilise their teetering companies.

Facing a less-than-receptive Senate on Tuesday, General Motors Corp CEO Rick Wagoner warned that the failure of the US auto industry could lead to a loss of 3 million jobs within the first year and ripple throughout communities around the country.

"This is all about a lot more than just Detroit. It's about saving the US economy from a catastrophic collapse," Wagoner said.

Dire assessments aside, the rescue plan appeared stalled on Capitol Hill, opposed by the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress who are reluctant to use the Treasury Department's $700bn financial bailout program to come up with the $25bn in loans.

"You're asking an awful lot," said Senator Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat. "I'd like to tell you that in the next couple of days this is going to happen. I don't think it is."

A Senate vote on an automotive bailout plan, which would also extend jobless benefits, could come as early as Thursday, but it currently lacks the support to advance.

Bailout fatique

Rank and file Republicans and Democrats from states heavily impacted by the auto industry worked behind the scenes trying to develop a compromise that could speed some aid to the automakers before year's end. But it was an uphill fight.

Automakers were running into bailout fatique on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers complained that many of the industry's problems were self-made, citing their past reliance upon gas-guzzling trucks and sport utility vehicles and opposition to tougher fuel efficiency regulations. Many wondered if the companies would be back for more money in a year.

"A lot of people think you've already failed, that your model has failed, that you're here to get life support," said Senator Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican.

Chrysler LLC CEO Bob Nardelli rejected suggestions that the automakers should seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection similar to airlines that later emerged restructured and leaner. "We just cannot be confident that we will be able to successfully emerge from bankruptcy," Nardelli said. Ford Motor Co CEO Alan Mulally said the three automakers are highly interdependent.

The financial situation for the automakers grows more precarious by the day. Cash-strapped GM said on Tuesday it would delay reimbursing its dealers for rebates and other sales incentives and could run out of cash by year's end without government aid.

Given the concerns, Democrats in the Senate discussed but rejected the option favored by the White House and Republican lawmakers to let the auto industry use a $25bn loan program created by Congress in September - designed to help the companies develop more fuel-efficient vehicles - to tide them over until President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

House Speaker Nancy Pelos and other senior Democrats, who count environmental groups among their strongest supporters, have vehemently opposed that approach because it would divert federal money intended to develop vehicles that use less gasoline.

- AP