WASHINGTON -- Democratic leaders began laying out conditions today that they say Detroit's Big Three automakers need to meet before Congress will consider giving them an emergency $25 billion lifeline.

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. will extend its holiday shutdown or make other production cuts at up to 10 factories as it deals with a continued U.S. auto sales slump and fights to stay solvent.

DENVER -- GMAC Financial Services has applied to become a bank holding company, which would allow General Motors' financing arm to be eligible for aid under the government's $700 billion bank rescue plan.

WASHINGTON -- A Democratic Congress, unwilling or unable to approve a $25 billion bailout for Detroit's Big Three, appears ready to punt the automakers' fate to a lame-duck Republican president.

Anyone who's ever driven an older car with a four-cylinder engine knows that, economy aside, they aren't the most pleasant of motors.

WASHINGTON -- Top Senate Democrats suggested today that a bill to rescue Detroit's Big Three automakers was stalled and challenged the Bush administration to take steps to save the industry if congressional efforts falter. The White House quickly rebuffed the suggestion.

TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp. said today it would reduce production in the United States to cope with slowing sales in the world's largest economy.

Monroeville Administrator Marshall Bond is keeping a steady eye on news out of Detroit and Washington, D.C., hoping that Congress will approve a bailout package for the three domestic auto

MARYSVILLE, Mich. -- Chrysler LLC says it has reached an agreement with Germany's ZF Friedrichschafen AG to run a new axle factory north of Detroit.

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford says it will offer employee pricing, zero percent financing and cash incentives on a variety of its vehicles.