General Motors (GM) and Chrysler are to get more loans from the US treasury¹ as the troubled carmakers work on plans to try and make themselves viable².

美国通用和克莱斯勒为维持生产向美国国库借更多贷款。

Chrysler has already received a $4bn US government loan.

The two Detroit, Michigan-based giants are seeking to stave off（避开） bankruptcy³ and GM will receive a further 60-day, $5bn loan while Chrysler is to get $500m.

The firms have already received a combined $17.4bn in aid since December.

Both face collapse⁴ as the economic downturn has prompted a slump⁵ in sales of vehicles worldwide.

The US government has demanded that both firms submit viable（能养活的） restructuring plans before it will consider further aid.

Both companies' restructuring（重组） plans were rejected at the end of March. This latest funding will bridge the gap until they have to present new reorganisation plans.

Bankruptcy prospect⁶

Chrysler, which has already received about $4bn in government loans, has until 30 April to make further cuts and take on a partner or face liquidation（清除，停止营业）.

It is in talks with Fiat⁷ but the boss of the Italian carmaker has threatened to walk away from an alliance if unions do not make concessions⁸.

Meanwhile GM, which has been loaned $13.4bn before the latest tranche（国际货币基金贷款划分的部分） of cash, has until 1 June to complete its restructuring or face seeking bankruptcy protection.

The funding for the carmakers has come from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (Tarp), which has about $700bn aimed at stabilising the US financial system.