American automakers aren't the only ones worried about their survival as the recession collapses auto sales.  Even venerable German automaker BMW is making cuts.

The U.K.'s Independent reports, "Falling sales will cost BMW board members 40 per cent of their bonuses, with the rest of the group's 100,000 staff also facing pay cuts, it was revealed yesterday... Some 7,500 jobs have already been shed by BMW worldwide." 

BMW is not immune from merger rumors, either.  Autoblog notes that BMW Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer "quick to reiterate that BMW is solvent and determined to remain independent... regardless of any rumors." 

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