( CNN ) -- Ford is the only major U.S. carmaker that is getting by without U.S. taxpayer money . Mark Fields of Ford says consumer confidence is key to getting the auto industry back on track . GM and Chrysler , on the other hand , have been told the Obama administration they will receive operating funds for several weeks in return for undergoing significant restructuring . Mark Fields , executive vice president of Ford , spoke to CNN 's Kiran Chetry Tuesday on `` American Morning '' about the company 's plans and whether it will be able to continue without financial aid from the government . Kiran Chetry : So , Mark , your company is the one that 's gotten by without federal money . Will you be able to continue that ? Mark Fields : Well , our position has n't changed . We 're in a different position than some of our competitors , and we 're not seeking emergency taxpayer assistance . Chetry : Right , but I 'm saying in the future , how are you guys guaranteeing that you wo n't need to go to the federal government like your two competitors have and ask for some help ? Fields : Well , we 're going to continue executing our plan , which really involves decisive actions around transforming the business , but also bringing great high-quality , fuel-efficient vehicles into the marketplace . And we 've been working this plan over the last three years , and we 've been making progress . Clearly it 's a tough time in the economy , but we are really focused on bringing these great cars and trucks to customers , getting our cost structure right . We 've come to new agreements with our UAW partners . We 're working through reducing our debt . So we 're going to continue working through that , and we do n't expect to take taxpayer assistance from the emergency funds . Watch Fields discuss Ford 's future » . Chetry : You say it 's been tough times , and certainly for you guys , it has -- 2008 the worst annual loss in Ford 's 105-year history . You guys can restructure . You can work out new deals with the unions . But in the end , if people are n't buying cars or they ca n't get credit , how do you remain viable ? Fields : Well , consumer confidence is the biggest issue in the marketplace right now . The good news is , our new cars and trucks that are coming into the marketplace are being well-received . Our retail market share has been up three of the last four months . We expect the month of March our retail share to be up again . But getting that consumer confidence is really important . And that 's why today we 're announcing our Ford advantage plan , and it 's for any customer who buys a Ford , Lincoln or Mercury product , when they come into the showroom and buy their product , if that customer loses their position , we will pay their car payments up to 12 months while they 're unemployed , to give them that peace of mind . Post your comments on AMfix . Chetry : You 're also offering some zero percent financing . I 'm sure that you 're trying to do that as well because of the frozen credit in a lot of instances . I want to get your take on this , though . President Obama announced yesterday he 's giving ... Chrysler a month , basically , to submit a reorganization plan that the administration finds acceptable . The Obama administration also of course forced General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner out . Was that the right move , in your opinion ? Fields : Well , what we are supportive of is that the president is committed to a vibrant U.S. auto industry . As we mentioned , Ford is in a different position . We 're not asking for the emergency taxpayer assistance . But what we are focusing on is taking decisive action to streamline our business , but more importantly win new customers with the great set of products we 're going -- we 're coming out with over the next couple of months . Chetry : You know , there is some unprecedented government intervention going on right now in the U.S. auto industry at your competitors . They 're getting billions of dollars in taxpayer money . They 're being forced to restructure , as we talked about . They actually were forced to fire their CEO . And right now , it seems that , you know , they 're on a different level than you guys are . Is there some sense that perhaps there 's an unfair advantage , that they 're getting a lot of government help , whereas you guys are sort of on your own . Does that concern you ? Fields : Well , we do n't feel we 're being disadvantaged , because we have been restructuring our company over the past three years . We have been investing in high-quality , fuel-efficient vehicles over the last couple of years , which are just starting to come to the marketplace . So our approach is continue to work this plan , continue to make sure that Ford remains competitive both today and in the future and continue to work with our stakeholders to make sure that happens .
Ford exec says company has been restructuring over last three years . We 're in different position that competitors , says Ford executive vice president . Retail market share has increased in last few months , says Mark Fields . Consumer confidence is biggest issue in marketplace , Fields says .