Bailout Watch 556: "Americans Aren't Thrilled With Government Involvement in the U.S. Auto Companies"

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

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.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • U mad scientist U mad scientist on Jun 11, 2009
    Peter Schiff called this exactly and he continues to be right. So why was he losing his client's money last year, the one time in his whole life he can claim some sort of ephemeral victory? - To really see how idiotic this guy is, you have to remember that the Austrian school has been calling for THE BIG ONE for decades, and it never seems to happen for them. Now that it finally did, their hero is doing WORSE than the dow! What's really pathetic here is that Schiff had to come out with some sorry excuses about how he DOESN'T actually believe hyperinflation was going to happen, after it became an issue how much money he was losing for people. In all seriousness, a retarded monkey can make far better predictions, so make your own judgment call how smart his followers are.
  • KGrGunMan KGrGunMan on Jun 11, 2009

    @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.

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