You are comparing the pension obligations of two automobile manufacturers, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company (GM), for the fiscal year 2023.

Requirements:

1. Ford reported pension obligations of $20 billion as of December 31, 2023. GM's pension obligations for the same date amounted to $25 billion.
2. Calculate the difference in pension obligations between Ford and GM.
3. Discuss potential factors contributing to the differences in pension obligations and their impact on the financial health and liabilities of both companies.