The "Big Three" US automakers met with the Senate once again, trying a different entrance, but leaving the same.
General Motors shares plunged more than 15%, closing at $4.13, as the chief executive, Rick Wagoner, delivered a penitent statement to senators: "We're here because we made mistakes. And we're here because forces beyond our control have pushed us to the brink."
Ford's shares were more than 5% lower at $2.66, despite painting a rosier fiscal picture than those of its competitor.
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The two companies, along with privately owned Chrysler, which wants $7bn, learned their lesson after a dismal experience in Washington two weeks ago. This time the Detroit contingent travelled by hybrid car rather than private jet, and each CEO agreed to cut his salary to $1 if Congress approved their $34bn in loan requests.
But those concessions, in addition to those promised by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, may not be enough to win over politicians. With public frustration still running high over the White House's $700bn banking bail-out, even some Democrats were sceptical of spending more money to prop up carmakers.
"The atmosphere here in America is frankly pretty negative about any kind of assistance," Democratic senator Robert Casey said.