Last week, the heads of America's Big Three automakers were sitting again before a government panel, begging for money to save their companies. This time, the companies were asking for a total injection of some $34 billion — $9 billion more than just two weeks ago.
They are not alone in their quest. Europe's automakers are also in trouble. Opel, GM's German subsidiary, is already asking for 1 billion euro in loan guarantees.
Although the big European automakers haven't made collective demands, there is talk about a 40 billion euro bailout package being prepared to meet their growing needs.