Survey Shows Public Wary Of Government Running Auto Companies

More Than Half of Consumers Think Auto Companies’ Bailouts were Bad Idea

TUSTIN, June 10, 2009: A just-completed national survey shows American consumers are skeptical of the U.S. government’s involvement in the auto industry, with 81 percent of respondents agreeing that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.

Following General Motors’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement last week, automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacific conducted an online survey regarding government involvement in the auto industry. Highlights from this survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers include:

• Eighty-one percent of the respondents AGREE that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.

• Forty-eight percent DISAGREE that having the government in charge of General Motors and Chrysler will result in more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

• Fifty-four percent DISAGREE that having the government in charge of General Motors and Chrysler will result in much cleaner cars and trucks.

• Sixty-six percent DISAGREE that having the government in charge of General Motors and Chrysler will result in cars and trucks Americans want to buy.

• Fifty-four percent of respondents believe that General Motors should have been allowed to fail, while 58% believe that Chrysler should have been allowed to fail.