General Motors submitted a plan to Congress requesting federal bridge loans totaling $18 billion. The plan outlines GM's commitment to increasing production of fuel-efficient vehicles and implementing significant restructuring measures to make the company profitable and self-sustaining in the long run. If approved, the loans would support GM through 2009 as it works to rationalize its brands and dealerships, lower costs, restructure debt, and develop more green technologies and energy-saving cars. GM believes the restructuring plan will allow it to emerge from the credit crisis as a fully competitive manufacturer and help transform the US auto industry.