What happens if theres no bailout?
GM risks running out of money later this year or early in 2009 without a bailout. GM burned through $6.9 billion during the third quarter, leaving it with only $16 billion on hand as of Sept. 30. But it needs $11 billion to $14 billion to continue normal operations. Ford and Chrysler have more cash relative to their needs, mostly from money they borrowed prior to the current credit crunch. But each of those automakers could also run out of cash during 2009 without federal assistance.
