Poll: More Americans say US Cars top Asian Brands
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Poll: More Americans say US Cars top Asian Brands
Washington -- After a long romance with foreign rivals, America's love affair with the automobile is returning to its roots with a revived affection for U.S.-made cars.
Slightly more Americans now say the United States makes better-quality vehicles than Asia does, with 38 percent saying U.S. cars are best and 33 percent preferring autos made by Asian companies, according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll.
The survey suggests those numbers are largely fueled by a plunge in Toyota's reputation and an upsurge in Ford's. The poll was conducted in March, as Toyota was being roiled by nightmarish publicity over its recall of more than 8 million vehicles around the globe and allegations that it responded sluggishly to safety concerns.though the U.S. advantage is modest, it marks a significant turnabout for American automakers battered by recession and relentless competition from foreign manufacturers. When the same question was asked in a December 2006 AP-AOL poll, 46 percent said Asian countries made superior cars, while just 29 percent preferred American vehicles, reflecting a perception of U.S. automotive inferiority that began taking hold about three decades ago.
"Toyota's problems are not to be minimized here," David Williams, dean of the business administration school at Wayne State University, said in explaining the attitude shift.
In both AP polls, Japan -- home to brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan -- was by far the dominant Asian nation volunteered as producing the best cars. European autos -- which include BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen -- were called top quality by 15 percent last month, about the same as the 17 percent who said so four years ago.
Williams and others also cited a fresh look Americans are giving U.S. automakers, especially Ford and General Motors. Though GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy last year and the federal government invested $80 billion to keep them afloat, GM has revamped its lineup with more fuel-efficient and crossover vehicles. Analysts say Ford revived its reputation by not accepting the taxpayer bailout and improving its vehicles' gasoline mileage.
Highlighting the changing attitudes, 15 percent in the March poll said Toyota makes the best cars, down from 25 percent who said so in 2006. Moving in the opposite direction was Ford, cited as tops by just 9 percent in 2006 but by 18 percent last month.
Eighteen percent said GM cars were best, little changed from 2006. Chrysler -- which continues to struggle -- remained mired at 3 percent.
"They last," Charlotte Flentge, 60, of Chester, Ill., a Chevrolet Cavalier owner, said of American autos. "You get a good American car, you know you have a quality car you can be safe in and not be afraid to put your family in."
Those likeliest to say Asian-made autos are superior included men, the better educated and residents of Western states. U.S. cars were a strong preference for those age 50 and older and rural residents.
Overall, though, only 51 percent in last month's poll expressed strong confidence that cars sold in the U.S. are safe, with owners of domestic and foreign cars giving similar responses. The 2006 survey did not ask that question.
"Toyota is leading the parade in reducing confidence in the safety of automobiles," said Gerald C. Meyers, a former auto executive with American Motors and now a University of Michigan business professor. "I suspect that's holding the number down a lot."
Despite consumers' altered views, the poll showed that allegiance remains strong to many makes. Well over nine in 10 owners of Fords, GMs, Hondas and Toyotas expressed satisfaction with their cars, with the figure slightly lower for Chryslers.
Among the brand loyalists is Vernon Harmon, 44, a police officer from Rock Hill, S.C., proud owner of a Toyota and a Mazda.
"I know people are going to say, 'That guy, is he not watching the news?'" he said. "I know what's going on. I still think Japan makes the best cars in the world. Period."
With the U.S. trying to claw out of a recession, the poll showed that Americans' taste for alternative-fuel cars is being tempered by economic realities. Such cars often cost more than similarly sized vehicles that run on gasoline.
By 61 percent to 37 percent, most said last month they would consider buying an alternative-fuel auto. That was a narrower margin than the 70 percent to 29 percent who said so in 2006.
Tellingly, people cited the environment and a desire to save money about equally last month when asked which would prevail in making their decision. Four years ago, with a strong economy, protecting the environment outweighed saving money, 47 percent to 34 percent.
"I'm concerned about the environment, but I don't want to kill myself, I don't want to go into bankruptcy," said Kathryn Mershon, 47, of Henderson, Nev.
The poll also found that:
--Fifty-six percent own vehicles made by U.S. automakers, about the same as in 2006.
--Eight in 10 live in households with autos, including about two-thirds who have two or more cars.
--Six in 10 autos were bought used.
--About four in 10 say their dream car would be a foreign brand, compared with three in 10 wishing for a domestic car.
The AP-GfK Poll was conducted March 3-8 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. It involved interviews with 1,002 adults conducted by landline and cellular telephones. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
Slightly more Americans now say the United States makes better-quality vehicles than Asia does, with 38 percent saying U.S. cars are best and 33 percent preferring autos made by Asian companies, according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll.
The survey suggests those numbers are largely fueled by a plunge in Toyota's reputation and an upsurge in Ford's. The poll was conducted in March, as Toyota was being roiled by nightmarish publicity over its recall of more than 8 million vehicles around the globe and allegations that it responded sluggishly to safety concerns.though the U.S. advantage is modest, it marks a significant turnabout for American automakers battered by recession and relentless competition from foreign manufacturers. When the same question was asked in a December 2006 AP-AOL poll, 46 percent said Asian countries made superior cars, while just 29 percent preferred American vehicles, reflecting a perception of U.S. automotive inferiority that began taking hold about three decades ago.
"Toyota's problems are not to be minimized here," David Williams, dean of the business administration school at Wayne State University, said in explaining the attitude shift.
In both AP polls, Japan -- home to brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan -- was by far the dominant Asian nation volunteered as producing the best cars. European autos -- which include BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen -- were called top quality by 15 percent last month, about the same as the 17 percent who said so four years ago.
Williams and others also cited a fresh look Americans are giving U.S. automakers, especially Ford and General Motors. Though GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy last year and the federal government invested $80 billion to keep them afloat, GM has revamped its lineup with more fuel-efficient and crossover vehicles. Analysts say Ford revived its reputation by not accepting the taxpayer bailout and improving its vehicles' gasoline mileage.
Highlighting the changing attitudes, 15 percent in the March poll said Toyota makes the best cars, down from 25 percent who said so in 2006. Moving in the opposite direction was Ford, cited as tops by just 9 percent in 2006 but by 18 percent last month.
Eighteen percent said GM cars were best, little changed from 2006. Chrysler -- which continues to struggle -- remained mired at 3 percent.
"They last," Charlotte Flentge, 60, of Chester, Ill., a Chevrolet Cavalier owner, said of American autos. "You get a good American car, you know you have a quality car you can be safe in and not be afraid to put your family in."
Those likeliest to say Asian-made autos are superior included men, the better educated and residents of Western states. U.S. cars were a strong preference for those age 50 and older and rural residents.
Overall, though, only 51 percent in last month's poll expressed strong confidence that cars sold in the U.S. are safe, with owners of domestic and foreign cars giving similar responses. The 2006 survey did not ask that question.
"Toyota is leading the parade in reducing confidence in the safety of automobiles," said Gerald C. Meyers, a former auto executive with American Motors and now a University of Michigan business professor. "I suspect that's holding the number down a lot."
Despite consumers' altered views, the poll showed that allegiance remains strong to many makes. Well over nine in 10 owners of Fords, GMs, Hondas and Toyotas expressed satisfaction with their cars, with the figure slightly lower for Chryslers.
Among the brand loyalists is Vernon Harmon, 44, a police officer from Rock Hill, S.C., proud owner of a Toyota and a Mazda.
"I know people are going to say, 'That guy, is he not watching the news?'" he said. "I know what's going on. I still think Japan makes the best cars in the world. Period."
With the U.S. trying to claw out of a recession, the poll showed that Americans' taste for alternative-fuel cars is being tempered by economic realities. Such cars often cost more than similarly sized vehicles that run on gasoline.
By 61 percent to 37 percent, most said last month they would consider buying an alternative-fuel auto. That was a narrower margin than the 70 percent to 29 percent who said so in 2006.
Tellingly, people cited the environment and a desire to save money about equally last month when asked which would prevail in making their decision. Four years ago, with a strong economy, protecting the environment outweighed saving money, 47 percent to 34 percent.
"I'm concerned about the environment, but I don't want to kill myself, I don't want to go into bankruptcy," said Kathryn Mershon, 47, of Henderson, Nev.
The poll also found that:
--Fifty-six percent own vehicles made by U.S. automakers, about the same as in 2006.
--Eight in 10 live in households with autos, including about two-thirds who have two or more cars.
--Six in 10 autos were bought used.
--About four in 10 say their dream car would be a foreign brand, compared with three in 10 wishing for a domestic car.
The AP-GfK Poll was conducted March 3-8 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. It involved interviews with 1,002 adults conducted by landline and cellular telephones. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...op+Asian+autos
Wow. At least in this poll, GM-Ford-Chrysler went from trailing 45%-29% in 2006 to leading 38%-33% now. Maybe the tide really is turning out there.
Last edited by Z28Wilson; Apr 21, 2010 at 09:45 AM.
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From: St. Louis, MO
That's good news!
It's just too bad the public is too dumb to make informed decisions in either direction and just goes with what the media tells them this week, which happens to be in the domestics favor again.
No matter the reason hopefully America's love affair with the automobile becomes strong like it used to.
It's just too bad the public is too dumb to make informed decisions in either direction and just goes with what the media tells them this week, which happens to be in the domestics favor again.
No matter the reason hopefully America's love affair with the automobile becomes strong like it used to.
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From: Greenville, SC
It was also announced on the News this morning that GM will be paying back the rest of it's loan today. No word yet on how long until the gubment sells their shares, I read an article this morning that said it "could be years."
I think THAT will help GM out too. "Oh, did you hear GM paid back all the taxpayer money? Really? I guess it was a good thing we saved their *** and thousands and thousands of jobs."
I think THAT will help GM out too. "Oh, did you hear GM paid back all the taxpayer money? Really? I guess it was a good thing we saved their *** and thousands and thousands of jobs."
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From: Tallanasty, FL
The rest is the part that the Government owns...that they'll be able to sell off when they take the company public. From what I've heard some people believe that the government can actually make money when they go to sell off their part of the stock.
I just hope they're smart enough to not sell it off all at once...
Edit: Sneaky, Sneaky Z28Wilson...but I quoted you before you deleted
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At any rate, the way things are being reported is a bit misleading. GM has not repaid anywhere near what they borrowed (how could they? No corporation on earth could repay a $60B loan in 9 months). What sticks in my craw is that the government doesn't seem to be in any hurry to unload its stake, but that's a whole other topic....
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From: Tallanasty, FL
First they'd have to actually offer shares of stock in the new GM, then they'd have to offer it for public trading, then the "gubment" would need to wait until the value increases to an amount equal or greater than what they bailed them out with in the first place. At least as a taxpayer, I'd like to see the wait, thus securing our "investment" in GM and making sure the stock doesn't tank when they sell their shares off.
I wonder how they're gonna sell off the stock? I mean if they announce that they're selling a ton of stock on a certain day that'll obviously affect the price...do you think they'll sell it off at a trickle? Like a slow drain, dripping a couple hundered shares a day or something like that until they unload the entire bucket load of stock they bought with their bailout?
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From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...op+Asian+autos[/COLOR][/LEFT]
Wow. At least in this poll, GM-Ford-Chrysler went from trailing 45%-29% in 2006 to leading 38%-33% now. Maybe the tide really is turning out there.
Wow. At least in this poll, GM-Ford-Chrysler went from trailing 45%-29% in 2006 to leading 38%-33% now. Maybe the tide really is turning out there.
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/...nclick_check=1
My favorite quote:
"I'd heard about the braking problems, but the media report on car crashes, not the cars that do fine," said the 60-year-old schoolteacher with the black 2010 Prius II in front of her Redwood City home. "And the ones that crash are an extremely small percentage. Now that Toyota has had its feet held to the fire, it's very unlikely they'll do anything stupid like this for a long time."
That's my hometown too. I'm going to find out which school she's teaching at and make sure its not the one my nieces attend.
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From: Oakland, California
I wonder how they're gonna sell off the stock? I mean if they announce that they're selling a ton of stock on a certain day that'll obviously affect the price...do you think they'll sell it off at a trickle? Like a slow drain, dripping a couple hundered shares a day or something like that until they unload the entire bucket load of stock they bought with their bailout?
That's not how IPOs are handled. They'll first offer stock to major internal players, then institutional investors before it is ever offered to the general public.
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From: Greenville, SC
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