Bailout Watch 556: "Americans Aren't Thrilled With Government Involvement in the U.S. Auto Companies"
Not thrilled meaning, I suppose, that they’re not in favor of it. Using that definition, AutoPacific’s summation of their survey of 900 Americans is an example of English understatement. According to their poll, “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.” Not too bad you say, the words “simple majority” springing to your lips. Anyway. It’s a done deal. Yes, well, “Eighty-one percent of the respondents agree that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.” The government’s counter-argument? We agree with your agreement! Meanwhile, don’t worry: good things are going to happen! The voters aren’t quite so happy-clappy at the prospect . . .
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.
One wonder how many of the remaining poll-takers AGREED that Government Motors is a good thing or DIDN’T KNOW/CARE. Also, how many of the those surveyed even know what a Fiat is? Apparently, most of them don’t like them already . . .
Skepticism also surrounds Fiat’s takeover of Chrysler. American consumers do not see Fiat as Chrysler’s white knight. Over 47% of respondents believe that Fiat cars will not sell well in the U.S. Almost 43% believe that, bankruptcy or not, and Fiat control or not, Chrysler will fail in the next five years. In contrast, only 19% believe that Fiat cars will be a welcome sight in U.S. dealerships, and only 13% say that Fiat cars will save Chrysler.
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@JaysonAych i agree that then and now are different situations, what i was trying to say is that chrysler did not have the money at the time because they were not a solid viable company and should have failed. in the late 70's the free market spoke and choose to kill chrysler, the government intervened and saved chrysler for the moment, only for the free market to again choose to kill chrysler. how many years before the free market does what it's already done twice? they are not a viable company now and they should have died in the '80's. the custmers have spoken and the people do not want chrysler to stay alive, if they did they would have bought their cars. had chrysler died when the free market first chose to kill it then every other car company would have been better off today.