By David Bailey and Christiaan Hetzner

DETROIT/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - General Motors GM.N and Chrysler launched government-backed assistance programs for parts suppliers on Wednesday, and the task force overseeing the carmakers' restructuring was expected to meet with GM this week to speed up the process.

The government will give $2 billion (1.4 billion pounds) to GM to support suppliers, and Chrysler will receive $1.5 billion to maintain its supply base.

GM, Chrysler and the suppliers are required to kick in capital to participate in the program.

On March 20, the Obama administration pledged up to $5 billion to help auto suppliers, which are crucial to the survival of U.S. automakers.

A steep drop in North American auto production has put suppliers under intense pressure and created the possibility of failures. Failure of even a small auto parts supplier could shutdown production at many automakers.

GM is also trying to keep itself in business. A source familiar with the company's plans said on Tuesday that GM was in "intense" preparations for a possible bankruptcy filing that could split GM into a "new" company comprised of its most successful units and an "old" company of unprofitable units.

Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick, Pontiac, GMC for GM, said on Wednesday the automaker needed to restructure "without a bankruptcy or with a bankruptcy."

GM is operating under $13.4 billion of government loans. To avert bankruptcy, it must reach deals with bondholders to cut unsecured debt and the United Auto Workers union to alter funding of a union retiree healthcare trust.