Detroit Three's survival report card

GM, Ford, and Chrysler, the former Big 3 now dwindled to the Detroit 3, have gone in such different directions they don't seem to be on the same planet - let alone the same city. Will they make it? Fortune grades each on its performance and prospects.

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Current Condition
Current Condition
Chrysler: Chrysler stopped building new cars on May 4 so it could unload 337,000 unsold 2008 and 2009 models, a huge 114-day supply. Meanwhile, only government loans keep it afloat while it tries to work its way out of bankruptcy.
Grade: D-/F

Ford: The No. 2 automaker has refused government loans so far. Thanks to its cash reserves, bolstered by timely borrowing, it's in no immediate danger of running out of money. Nor are its dealers choking on inventory; Ford's stock of unsold cars amounts to only a 78-day supply. But it needs the auto market to improve in order to stem its losses.
Grade: C.

General Motors: "Size counts" used to be GM's mantra, but now it has to learn how to think small. Dumping Saturn, Saab, and Hummer, closing down Pontiac and continuing to slash white-collar jobs are causing internal turmoil. As customers worry about a seemingly imminent bankruptcy, GM is having trouble selling cars. It had 736,000 unsold vehicles on the ground at the end of April and more in transit, enough for 111 days.
Grade: D

By Alex Taylor III and Allan Sloan

NEXT: Management
Last updated May 22 2009: 1:50 PM ET
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