Private equity firm Cerberus is demanding more than $7 billion from Daimler  over losses that followed its 2007 acquisition of Chrysler in a bitter dispute that could overshadow a plea for U.S. government aid.

Chrysler is prepared to meet "accountability and viability" criteria requested by Congress as a condition for considering a government bailout for the auto industry, Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said.

Nissan Motor chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn said the Japanese carmaker's profits would likely fall to "zero" in the October-March second half amid a sharp downturn in global car markets.

Nissan Motor and Suzuki Motor capped a turbulent week for automakers everywhere with their own profit warnings on Friday, as executives predicted a rough ride for the foreseeable future.

Stocks went on another rollercoaster ride Friday, opening sharply lower before a series of  ups, downs and curves, and an afternoon burst of bargain hunting that sent the Dow up more than 200 points.

Stocks opened sharply lower Friday — with the Dow down about 200 points in the first few minutes of trading — after a report showed new home construction at its lowest level in 17 years.

Futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street Friday after a report showed new home construction at its lowest level in 17 years.

Nissan Motor posted on Friday a much worse-than-expected 46 percent drop in quarterly operating profit, and stuck to its annual forecasts despite a severe downturn in the U.S. market.