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10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

1 | Detroit More $$$, Please General Motors and Chrysler submitted restructuring reports to the Treasury on Feb. 17, asking the Federal Government for $14 billion in further emergency loans, bringing the total amount that the Detroit automakers have requested to $39 billion. GM says it needs $12 billion more to avoid bankruptcy and announced plans to lay off 47,000 employees and sell or phase out three of its marques--Saturn, Hummer and Saab--and reduce Pontiac to a "highly focused niche brand." Chrysler has asked for $5 billion and plans to cut 3,000 jobs.

Vehicles Sold Annually, 1999-2008

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