Auto Companies Seek Billions from Congress

Big three automakers say bankruptcy is not an option

December 3, 2008 - 5:45 PM

The top executives of Ford, GM and Chrysler are back in Washington D.C, trying once again to get a multi-billion dollar bailout from Congress.

But this time they drove to capitol hill in fuel efficient cars instead of the corporate jets to ask for a $34 billion life line.

That's an increase from the 25 billion they originally requested. Top executives from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler say bankruptcy is not an option, but some lawmakers are still skeptical.

"We need to have new leadership," says South Carolina State Representative James Clyburn. "That's what we would do if we had this kind of failure on a football field. We would be getting a new coach."

The automakers have provided detailed business models to Congress that include developing fuel efficient vehicles, reducing CEO salaries and cutting thousands from their payrolls.