SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Domestic automakers over the weekend were putting the finishing touches on turnaround plans that they will present to Congress in hopes of securing $25 billion in emergency loans to help them survive the current economic crisis.

But unlike during their first visit to Washington, top executives from General Motors Corp. GM, -2.37% , Ford Motor Co. F, -1.34% and Chrysler on Tuesday will each hand in separate blueprints for what they are looking to do with the money.

After that, the CEOs will meet with Congress for two sessions on Thursday and Friday before a vote is likely held next week that will determine whether the automakers' pitches hit their marks.

An industry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plans could be disclosed after the market closes Tuesday.

GM is expected to propose sharp cuts in its North American operations, which could include closing still more manufacturing plants and even shedding some of its brands as the automaker struggles to cope with its dwindling cash pile.

The United Auto Workers could also be called to cooperate and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told CNN on Sunday that his union is willing to go back to the bargaining table.

Ford, in a better liquidity position than rival GM, probably won't resort to more significant cutbacks but could consider some symbolic gestures, such as reducing CEO Alan Mulally's compensation.

For his part, Mulally will reportedly drive the 10-hour trek to Washington from Detroit after all three CEOs rankled congressmen by arriving on corporate jets for their first visit.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Ford plans to tell Congress it will step up efforts to retool its product line toward smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, accelerating its move away from the beefy pick-ups and sport utility vehicles that dominated its sales over the past decade.

Ford is also likely to offer U.S. motorists the thriftier cars it already produces for overseas markets to help speed the transition, the Journal said.

Privately-held Chrysler, also hemorrhaging cash at an alarming rate, may tell Congress that it needs to hammer out a merger or some other kind of partnership, like the one previously in the works with GM, to ensure its survival.

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez challenged all three Detroit automakers to come up with "a path to viability" and suggested the federal aid could hinge on whether they trim their "bloated" dealer networks, the Journal reported.

The automakers will head to Washington armed with the added sense of urgency that Tuesday's slew of November U.S. sales reports will likely bring. The industry is expected to hand in double-digit drops across the board, with GM seen leading declines. See full story.

GM and Ford saw their shares open the week solidly in the green but they both turned south late Monday as the broader-market selling intensified. GM closed down 12.4% at $4.59 and Ford lost 5.2% to finish at $2.55.