Chrysler has been hit hard by higher fuel prices and a move in consumer demand away from sports utility vehicles and trucks to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The newly private company is planning to improve the content and lower the price on 12 of its vehicles as part of a new marketing campaign.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorWed, 03 Dec 2008 22:21:59 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44312/uaw-bends-to-boost-bailout.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe United Auto Workers agreed today to concessions that may help Detroit get $34 billion in federal assistance, the Detroit News reports. The union’s job bank—which pays eliminated employees 95% of their base salaries—will be suspended, and the UAW will delay billions in payments to its health care trust fund. Though union president Ron Gettelfinger skated inquiries about wage cuts, he said contract modifications were possible.http://www.newser.com/story/44312/uaw-bends-to-boost-bailout.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Dec 2008 13:19:01 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44236/in-dc-corral-the-big-3-dare-congress-to-shoot.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Big Three, their creditors, the unions, and Congress are locked in “a standoff worthy of a spaghetti western,” writes Steven Pearlstein in the Washington Post. “But none really wants to pull the trigger.” In the end, there’s little doubt Congress will step in, but lawmakers know they must get concessions from all parties first. Do the Big Three’s latest proposals fit the bill? Here’s how they break down:http://www.newser.com/story/44236/in-dc-corral-the-big-3-dare-congress-to-shoot.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Dec 2008 8:32:02 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44226/saving-detroit-its-now-or-never.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIf Congress is going to save America's auto industry it needs to quit the grandstanding and finger-pointing and take action right now, Tom Walsh writes in the Detroit Free Press . The Big Three have submitted their survival plans as requested, Walsh writes, and the figures show they aren't bluffing—they really will collapse without help.http://www.newser.com/story/44226/saving-detroit-its-now-or-never.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 03 Dec 2008 1:40:54 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44225/automakers-raise-request-to-34b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAutomakers may be returning to Capitol Hill humbled into driving instead of flying, but that won't stop them from holding out their hands for even more money. Collectively, they told Congress today to be willing to shell out a total of $34 billion in loans and lines of credit—up from $25 billion last month—or risk seeing at least two of them collapse quickly, the Detroit News reports. Company plans came out today, and the CEOs will testify later this week.http://www.newser.com/story/44225/automakers-raise-request-to-34b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 19:44:07 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44118/big-3-ceos-head-back-to-dc-this-time-by-car.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Big Three CEOs are heading back to Washington this week, and this time two of them will be driving, the Wall Street Journal reports—Alan Mulally in a Ford Escape hybrid, and Rick Wagoner in a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. The CEOs will attempt Thursday to persuade Congress to extend them $25 billion in low-cost loans, based on reorganization plans to be submitted today.http://www.newser.com/story/44118/big-3-ceos-head-back-to-dc-this-time-by-car.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 7:47:38 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44064/once-united-big-3-take-different-roads-to-bailout.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWhen the automakers return to Congress this week to beg for a federal bailout, they’ll no longer be presenting one case among them. Each company will unveil its own rejuvenation plan, reports the New York Times . Ford, in best financial shape, wants only the promise of access to federal funds; General Motors and Chrysler need near-immediate infusions.http://www.newser.com/story/44064/once-united-big-3-take-different-roads-to-bailout.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 01 Dec 2008 7:37:00 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/43766/automakers-will-get-another-house-hearing.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA House committee will hear struggling automakers out on their new ideas for federal aid Dec. 5, the Wall Street Journal reports today, with Detroit’s plan due to Congress’ Democratic leaders by Tuesday. Dems say approval of billions in federal funds hinges on making Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler “viable,” and a spokesman says the companies are “working tirelessly.”http://www.newser.com/story/43766/automakers-will-get-another-house-hearing.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 26 Nov 2008 16:39:17 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/43478/gm-needs-a-hand-from-unions-lenders.html?refid=rss_all_defaultGeneral Motors is revving up its efforts to prove to Congress it can survive if it receives a multibillion-dollar federal loan, reports Bloomberg. The automaker is asking unions to ease work rules, attempting to reduce its debt load, and considering cutting brands from its lineup as it tries to stretch its remaining cash. The company has a week to present a plan to lawmakers.http://www.newser.com/story/43478/gm-needs-a-hand-from-unions-lenders.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 24 Nov 2008 4:45:44 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/43486/bill-ford-driving-a-green-future.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWhile General Motors, Chrysler, and Congress are haggling over what strings to tie to a federal bailout, Ford chairman Bill Ford Jr is working behind the scenes to further his company's move toward greener, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The automaker, with enough cash on hand to get through 2009, isn’t in the dire straits its rivals are, reports the Wall Street Journal , and has steadily been moving toward an energy partnership with the government.http://www.newser.com/story/43486/bill-ford-driving-a-green-future.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 24 Nov 2008 5:57:57 CST