Automaker Regulation: Poll Shows 48% Believe There’s Congress Bias

By Richard West on April 18, 2010, 9:48 am

Recent bailout efforts from US government to help American automakers, GM (NYSE:GM) and Chrysler, have sparked a roaring controversy among public who believe that American government may have conflict of interest when it comes to automobile industry. The debates started after regulators persistently scrutinized Toyota (NYSE:TM) for its safety record. Such criticism took place when US government was trying to help struggling American counterparts, GM and Chrysler.

Results from recent Rasmussen survey suggest that nearly half of the Americans still believe that US government is not responding ethically to this issue. Moreover, one fourth of public firmly believe that their government is adamant on supporting US automakers, only. Despite concerns over safety, Toyota owners are still more likely to buy Toyota than most GM owners. Furthermore, this controversy may have even helped Toyota gain consumer sympathy.

A Concerned Public

Unfortunately, such is not the case with GM and Chrysler who saw their public ratings plummet, afterwards. Beside negative ratings, US public is also critical of any government effort to support GM or Chrysler. Almost 57% of Americans believe that if government is going to become majority owner of these two US auto giants, it will make policies conducive to these companies. Such opposition is evident from the fact that 80% of Americans wanted the government to sell their shares and another 64% stressed on doing it quickly. Judging from these results, it can be stated that US public does not like government interference in auto industry and they would not care if GM and Chrysler succumb to fair competition.

 

US public is enraged over government efforts to bolster struggling GM and Chrysler. Most agree that it is time that government should not prefer any US automaker over foreign counterparts. Recent survey from Rasmussen Report provides evidence of widespread resistance to any such move.

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