From the BBC Mr Bush met bosses from DaimlerChrysler Ford and GM, all struggling against Asian rivals, to discuss concerns over growing imports and health costs. The companies, which spend more on health costs than on steel, want action to combat the weak Japanese yen. The Financial Times adds: Toyota's report last week of record third-quarter profits has fuelled the Detroit carmakers' accusations that Japanese and South Korean exporters are benefiting from currency manipulation by their governments. The three companies' chief economists met senior US Treasury officials recently to underline their concern. UPDATE : George in 740 writes with some further reporting from the Wall Street Journal indicating the nature of the financial crises this firms are beginning to face: GM and Ford, Hungry for Cash, Pledge Assets to Secure Loans By JEFFREY C. MCCRACKEN, JOHN D. STOLL and JOHN D. MCKINNON November 15, 2006; Page A1 Facing a deep financial crisis, Detroit 's two top auto
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