Sales and market share have declined sharply at Ford Motor Co, General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC CBS.UL, with an accelerated and steep decline in light truck sales. Losses have mounted and their credit outlook is poor.

The White House does not oppose assistance as long as it goes to help automakers retool plants, develop new technologies or meet a new federal requirement to increase auto fuel efficiency by 40 percent by 2020 -- as the energy law requires.

The Bush administration is less supportive if it sees the industry using the money solely to ward off additional hard times.

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Tags : light truck sales