'The focus is on what we need to do at GM to get our structure set for a smaller U.S. market,' Wagoner said. The interview comes as GM begins formal negotiations this week with the United Auto Workers, bondholders, dealers and others to transform the automaker into a smaller, viable company. Wagoner said he never considered resigning during last year's bailout hearings on Capital Hill to ensure the troubled automaker received federal emergency loans. GM has pledged to revamp labor contracts, reduce debt and shrink the number and type of vehicles it produces to satisfy conditions imposed after the federal government granted the automaker and Chrysler LLC $17.4 billion in emergency federal loans. The loans will ensure the companies survive through March, but each automaker must develop plans by Feb. 17 to ensure long-term viability. GM needs financial concessions to implement a restructuring plan unveiled last month that includes eliminating up to 31,000 jobs, shutting nine plants and renegotiating its 2007 labor contract with the UAW. GM also wants to close 1,750 dealerships, possibly eliminate Saturn and convince banks and bondholders to swap some of the company's debt for equity. To stay afloat during the upcoming talks, GM received a $4 billion loan from the government on Dec. 31. GM is scheduled to get another $5.4 billion on Jan. 16 and $4 billion more on Feb. 17, if Congress opens the second half of the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package. Last year, U.S. car and light truck sales plunged 18 percent to 13.24 million vehicles as consumers grappled with soaring gas prices and a credit crunch that led to an economic downturn described as possibly the worst since the Great Depression. Wagoner has pledged to work for $1 and GM is cutting executive compensation and eliminating its corporate aircraft fleet, among other moves. 'That's the right thing to do for now and we're pleased to do it,' Wagoner said. 'We're asking everybody to make contributions and sacrifices.' Including the UAW. 'We're going to take a look at contracts to see where we can make additional changes and help the company,' Gettelfinger said during the interview. But he stressed the UAW is not reopening a 2007 labor contract.