These CEOs spent years producing cars that no one wanted to buy and then flew into Washington in their private jets - to beg. Here's an idea: Sell the jets, plough the obscene bonuses for abject failure back into the company, produce a viable business plan - then beg.

Angela, Epping, Australia

In the 1970's , when fuel prices quadrupled overnight, the US motor industry was in exactly the same predicament that they are now. THey had a legislated requirement to produce a a fleet average of 30mpg for their passenger cars. The answer? SUV's of course. They had it coming, serves them right

Will, Bordertown, Australia

The US car manufacturers produce poorly designed vehicles, badly fabricated, incompetently put together heaps of trash.
They cost too much, use too much fuel and start falling apart before they leave the show room.
The Japanese, French, German, Korean, Malaysian, Indian and other makers dont.

Nick T, Brisbane, Australia

If the big 3 have to sell cars to survive,why not help the working class buy these cars by giving everyone that wants to buy a new car a 5000 dollar voucher to help buy the car,they could get it at the secretary of state dept ,give to dealer ,dealer to auto maker and automaker to gov for their money

Roger CHapin, Stanton Mi, montcalm

It's capitalist ideology that defends financial bailouts yet opposes GM Ford & Chrysler whose plants & spin-offs benefit workers & communities. Yes, they badly need streamining & have been laggards. Japanese & Germans were very smart but Detroit can catch up. Save 'em, dammit.

Gus, Tompkins County NY, USA

It would be better for US gov to give 25 bn dollars as gift to Toyota to take GM, Chysler and Ford in thier hand for free, these firms were too cought up in the day to day running of the business rather than future sustainability.

Darek Thomson, Hatfield , UK

It's time to let them go. Why would anyone buy a U.S car when you can buy a Toyota or Volkswagen. There is no comparison in terms of build qualty & fuel economy.

Chris, Innsbruck, Austria

High labour costs aren't such a problem when you have products people actually want to buy.

Bad management are to blame for the failure of these businesses. The executives in charge should look in the mirror when apportioning blame.

Stuart Midgley, Sydney, Australia

I agree with all the comments who believe that car manufacturing industry should'nt be bailed out! My argument is (actally) quit simple! This industry was NEVER interested in innovations! They, until today, believe in a market dominieering monopoly situation with the petrol producing imdustry.

Ed Muller, Villarrica, Chile

funny comments, all by people who learn by listening to media headlines; yes lets allow big3 to collapse. ooops!! they pay more in healthcare and pensions in 1 year than the bailout is worth. green and electric cars?? yep, GM is further ahead than toyoto, only if you can wait 18months for new mode

manav, london, uk

the big 3 in the US are hemereging 3 billion a month, how is 25 billion going to help, apart from keeping them afloat for a few months? They have been uncompetetive for years. Reform and downsize dramatically or die

HEENERS, BATH,

I think the carmakers' case for help would have had a lot more credibility if 1) they hadn't left it to the absolute last minute, so any help they get might not even be in time, and 2) they hadn't travelled to Washington in corporate jets to plead poverty. Off with their heads, at last, I'm afraid.

Ted, Townsville, Australia

The American Car Industry needs to go to Chapter 11 to re negotiate its ancient Labour practices. Next on the list should be the US Steel industry. Its all about time but succesive Presidents and a Gang of incompetent Executives in these Huge industries haven't had the " Guts' to do it.

Billy, Bangkok, Thailand

The reason why I think that car manufacturers shouldn't be bailed out is quite simply that electric cars are the future. Why prop up a morribund industry when a new innovative industry could benefit from investment.

Invest in new technology, invest in new businesses. Get rid of the dead wood.

Robert Ward, London, UK

What would be interesting would be to see this story on the BBC, who seem to have forgotten that the US crisis exists since Nov 4.

The odd thing is that this crisis is only understood by those concerned. If this were the 1980s, then the general public might also be aware about US job losses.

Daniel, London, UK

Lets be realistic it has nothing to do with Capitlaism or socialism and everything to do with the Big 3 motor companies failing to adjust to the new demands for smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. They have had plenty of time to prepare and have failed.Now over a million jobs are at stake.

Alastair Adams, Worcester Park, United Kingdom

Gordon Brown stated recently that if the US bailed out the American car industry, that it would be protectionism and bad news for world trade. But do you think that the German Government or the French for that matter, would let the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Renault and Peugeot go under.

Lloyd, Conwy, UK

they need to shed jobs by the bucket full. they probably need to divest their brands so that so that each individual company within say GM can live or die based on its own merits rather than living or dieing based on the fortunes of the conglomorate, it should also be easy to raise investment.

will, grimsby, uk

Funny how these capitalists run to the government when mismanagement drives them into bankruptcy. No socialism for sick children, but plenty for millionaire businessmen. How much did the CEO of General Motors make last year?

Joche, Cut Bank, Montana, USA