The US auto industry has gotten a bridge loan and a little time to figure out what if anything they can do to stop The Big Three's careening course toward bankruptcy.

WASHINGTON — Restructure fast or go bust. That was the blunt message U.S. President George W. Bush delivered to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC Friday as he grudgingly approved $17.4-billion (U.S.) in emergency bridge loans for the cash-starved car makers.

Even with the infusion, many experts said one or both of the companies may still be forced into bankruptcy protection after March 31, 2009, when Washington can call the loans.

And analysts said Chrysler, the smallest of the Detroit Three, may not survive as an independent car maker. from ReportonBusiness.com

I don't have a strong sense of what the right answer is here. I don't want to see still more regular people suffer because of the lack of leadership and the wanton waste of more corporations-- but the Big Three have consistently made stupid choices in the last 20 years and they were too weak to withstand this economic pile up because of it.

Are there any real leaders in the auto industry who can figure something out before March 09? I guess we shall see.