DETRIOT (Bloomberg) — Chrysler LLC President James Press said that the company's "back is against the wall" as it seeks government aid and that the US economy would fall into a depression should one of the nation's automakers fail.

Unless Chrysler gets a bridge loan from the government, the company may run out of money in 2009's first quarter, Press said today at an auto dealership in New Carrollton, Maryland. The company made similar comments yesterday in its request for $7 billion in loans.

Chrysler's plan came as General Motors Corp. also told Congress it needs $4 billion this month to avoid running out of money to pay its bills, as part of an $18 billion total request. Ford Motor Co. asked for a $9 billion credit line that the company said it might not have to use.

"It wouldn't be a recession" if one of the three automakers didn't survive, Press said in an interview. "It would be a depression of the magnitude that nobody wants to consider.

"The biggest problem we have is with the consumers There's a lack of confidence and credit."

Press told reporters at the Maryland dealership that nobody knows what lawmakers will decide. Congress today is scheduled to begin two days of hearings on the automakers' plans.