Ford--suppliers not tightening payment conditions

DETROIT, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co's (F.N) suppliers have not demanded tighter payment conditions from the company despite a tough environment for the auto industry, the automaker's top executive said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a company event, Chief Executive Alan Mulally warned that American consumers would not buy from a bankrupt automaker.

Fellow U.S. automakers General Motors Corp (GM.N) and Chrysler LLC, which is controlled by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP [CBS.UL], have warned that they need immediate cash injections to survive.

Mulally added that the company's December sales were in line with projections and that he was confident Ford could achieve its restructuring plan with sales at current levels. (Reporting by Soyoung Kim, writing by Nick Carey, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)