The U.S. auto makers told Congress they're running on fumes, and if they don't get a cash infusion they're going crash. But Congress told them: "you've got to do better."
The message to the U.S. auto makers show us how you're going to turn around the industry.
"Until they show us the plan we cannot show them the money, and that is really where we are with this," said Speaker of the House (D) Nancy Pelosi.
Speaker Pelosi and senate leader Harry Reid say the car companies have until December second to deliver the details.
"We're prepared to come back into session the week of December 8th to help the auto industry. But only if they present a viable plan that gives us the Congress the confidence that tax payers and auto workers will be well served," said Reid.
United Auto Worker's President Ron Gettelfinger pleaded.
"Congress must not adjourn without an agreement with the Bush administration to move forward with an emergency rescue plan," said Gettelfinger.
But at the Ellis Brooks GM dealership in San Francisco, General Manager John Brooks says he agrees with Pelosi.
"We've been selling General Motors cars for sixty years and the way Rick Waggoner has been running the company is not good," said Brooks.
Brooks will stop selling new cars next month. He says that due to high union costs. If the big three go into bankruptcy they too might get out from under costly union agreements.
But bankruptcy could decimate consumer confidence.
"Would you be backed off from buying a car from a company that was in bankruptcy?" asked ABC7's Mark Matthews.
"Yes, I would because of the threat that you can't get parts or service from that company," said Matt Dickey of San Francisco.
"My car is still under warranty if they go bankrupt what's going to happen," said another woman.
"If they go bankrupt then how am I going to get parts for my car on any maintenance issues," said Charlene Gotico from Daly City.
"Do you think it would bury them?" asked Matthews.
"It could very well and there's no way, the auto industry is a very difficult industry to get back into, so if they're gone the country's in a lot of trouble," said Brooks.
Even with the automakers and nation in an economic crisis, the U.S. Senate spent praising convicted felon, and soon to be former senator Alaska's Ted Stevens.
Even Reid joined in, calling Stevens a lion.
