Ford, which is third in US auto sales behind Toyota and leader General Motors, saw light-vehicle sales fall 12% in 2007 overall.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorWed, 03 Dec 2008 22:37:17 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 1:40:47 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/44189/gm-sales-off-41-toyota-ford-honda-all-down-30.html?refid=rss_all_defaultGeneral Motors' November US sales plunged 41%, while Ford's dropped 31%, dashing hopes that the industry-wide drop in vehicle demand might be easing as Detroit's automakers prepare to state their second case for a federal bailout. Their overseas rivals posted abysmal results as well. Toyota's November sales tumbled 34%, and Honda's fell 32%.http://www.newser.com/story/44189/gm-sales-off-41-toyota-ford-honda-all-down-30.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 11:34:46 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44180/ford-unveils-plan-seeks-9b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFord unveiled a new plan to restructure its operations today and predicted a return to profitability—or at least break-even—by 2011, the Wall Street Journal reports. The plan calls for aggressive cost cutting and an increased focus on fuel efficiency. One of the costs on the chopping block? CEO Alan Mulally’s salary, which would fall to $1 per year if the company gets the $9 billion government loan it’s asking for.http://www.newser.com/story/44180/ford-unveils-plan-seeks-9b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 02 Dec 2008 10:36:36 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 7:47:29 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/44088/ford-may-sell-off-volvo.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFord is looking to cut costs wherever it can, and that might mean selling off its Volvo unit, the Wall Street Journal reports today. US sales for Volvo dropped off 28% in the first 10 months of 2008, and Ford, bleeding cash, plans to trim down and focus on its namesake brand; it’s already sold off other luxury brands like Jaguar.http://www.newser.com/story/44088/ford-may-sell-off-volvo.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 01 Dec 2008 10:08:48 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 7:36:50 CST