When members of the United Auto Workers union travelled to Washington DC to lobby on behalf of the three Detroit-based car giants, they did not fly in on private jets. But their pleas were no less urgent than those being made by the companies' chief executives.

The UAW fears the consequences of a collapse of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. As many as 3m jobs could be lost, they say. The pension and healthcare benefits of 1m retirees, spouses and dependants would be cut, with the state left to pick up the bill. Thousands of other businesses - car dealers, autoparts suppliers and many more - would be threatened.