U.S. automakers, Pelosi to discuss industry woes

The chiefs of Detroit’s automakers and the head of the United Auto Workers plan to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) today to discuss the industry’s financial straits.

Two people familiar with the plans for the meeting said that the top executives of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler, along with the union’s president, will meet with Pelosi in Washington to talk about the credit crisis and access to government funding for the auto industry. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting is private, the Associated Press reported.

Later this week, General Motors and Ford are expected to release their third-quarter results, which almost certainly will show billions of dollars in losses. Further job cuts by both automakers are expected Friday.