As I'm getting it now, the talks between Congress and the chiefs of Detroit's Big Three automakers did not go well, leading to continued speculation regarding their real-world ability to cost-cut, compromise themselves, and generally speaking, do the things you would expect anyone in a financial crisis to do. Where will it lead? If you ask me, probably to a Big Two, with scattered spawn running about, foundering helplessly. The captains of the auto industry did not help their case by flying to Washington, each in their own individual corporate jets, but think about it; can you see these guys trying to orchestrate a road trip to get to Washington? I can just imagine the scene:

"Okay, whose SUV are we taking?"
(unanimous shoulder shrug)
"All right, since no one wants to step forward, we'll flip for it;
"NO, NARDELLI, YOU KNOTHEAD, PUT MULALLY DOWN! A COIN! I MEANT FLIP A COIN!"
"What? HELL, NO, YOU'RE NOT RIDING SHOTGUN ALL THE WAY, HAVE A LITTLE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS! And for Pete's sake, leave the bratwurst Dieter Zietsche sent you in the da*n freezer! I'll never get that smell out of the leather if you pack those things!"
"Yes, Alan, you can smoke cigars, but only with the windows open....."

The mind reels.....