Ford Loses $2.98B, Cuts Jobs

Layoffs, property price plunge leaves middle-aged workers in limbo

(NEWSER) - Tens of thousands of middle-aged white-collar workers have been left jobless and stranded in Michigan by the recession, the Wall Street Journal reports. Auto industry veterans laid off by the Big Three are finding themselves competing against against younger people for a smattering of job openings. With property prices down 45% from their 2006 peak, people are unable or unwilling to sell their homes and seek work elsewhere. More»

Ford, GM have best month of 2009

(NEWSER) - Some actual good news for the auto industry: All three US automakers saw sales of new cars jump from April to May, reports the New York Times. Granted, sales are still way down compared to last year, but the month-to-month leap offers a glimmer of hope among the bankruptcy headlines. Ford did best, with sales up 20% from April and down 24% from the previous May, the smallest yearly decline among all major automakers since October. More»

Helps pay off their loans, trains dealers in 'conquests'

(NEWSER) - With General Motors and Chrysler struggling, Ford is moving to pick off some of its rivals’ customers, the Detroit News reports. The firm is passing cash to its dealers to ease Chrysler owners’ loan payments—so they can pick up Fords. Ford may soon do the same for GM owners. “We’re going to be aggressive, but we’re not going to be predatory,” said an exec. More»

The ailing automaker looks no closer to avoiding bankruptcy, CEO says

(NEWSER) - General Motors lost nearly $6 billion in the first quarter, hampered by bankruptcy fears and slumping global sales. The company spent $10.2 billion while revenue declined to $22.43 billion—47% down from the previous year. However, the loss of $5.98 billion, or $9.78 a share, was actually better than the $11.05 analysts expected. The company is already on $15.4 billion of government life-support, and it's estimated that another $11.6 billion will be needed. More»

(NEWSER) - GM will cut 10,000 jobs this year, including 3,400 in the US, the Wall Street Journal reports. The cuts represent 14% of GM’s salaried workforce overall, and 12% in the US. Most of those lucky enough to survive the axe will get a 3%-7% pay cut, while execs will see salaries cut 10%. The cuts will be part of the restructuring plan the company must submit to Congress next week. More»