Poll: 48 Percent Believe Government Has "Conflict Of Interest" In Auto Regulation

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

According to the latest Rasmussen telephone polling [via The Financial], 48 percent of Americans believe that the government’s ownership stake in GM and Chrysler means it has a conflict of interest in regulating competing automakers. 25 percent disagree, saying that the government’s bailout doesn’t affect regulation, and another 26 percent aren’t sure. When it comes to recent criticism of Toyota by administration officials like Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, only 25 percent believe the criticism stems from a desire to help GM, while 38 percent disagree and 37 percent aren’t sure. But the polls most interesting results have nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with perception:

Despite Toyota’s major safety recalls, owners of its cars are still more loyal than those who drive cars made by the bailed-out GM. Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans who currently own a Toyota say they are at least somewhat likely to buy their next car from the troubled automaker, compared to 57% of GM drivers who say they are at least somewhat likely to buy their next car from GM.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Bertel Schmitt Bertel Schmitt on Apr 15, 2010

    There are people who believe in the tooth fairy. There are people who believe the world is flat. There are people who believe there is no conflict of interest.

    • Geozinger Geozinger on Apr 15, 2010

      @Bertel: the same way I believe that Toyota managed to 'develop' a fix the day after a problem was disclosed with the GX460...

  • B1msus93 B1msus93 on Apr 15, 2010

    Considering Japan is one of the most closed markets for foreign automakers, I'd love it even if all these conspiracies prove to be true

  • Moedaman Moedaman on Apr 15, 2010

    I don't know if there is a conflict of interest or not. But the situation is set up for it to easily occur. And that is the troubling aspect of this. The influence of the UAW, to me, is the real worry. I think all transplants, not just Toyota, might be treated unfairly.

  • Stencha Klaus Stencha Klaus on Apr 15, 2010

    My daughter came home last week and told me that her grade 12 economics course was doing a unit on failed government policies and the GM/Chrysler bailout was the leading example of misguided government intervention. Capitalism is apparently dead in North America. After GM and chrysler collapse for the final time in a few years this whole debacle will be studied by future generations much like Chicago gangland and the depression era are today.

    • See 1 previous
    • Stencha Klaus Stencha Klaus on Apr 15, 2010

      The janitor at any house of government knows more about economics than those in power these days!

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