Would you buy a car made by a manufacturer that has filed for bankruptcy? With all things being equal—like price, performance, and features—would the automaker’s financial woes affect your decision?
CNBC and Portfolio.com asked 800 Americans that very question in the most recent “Wealth in America” survey, conducted from December 1 through December 3. Results show that 52 percent of Americans are unwilling to buy a car from a manufacturer that is under bankruptcy protection. In fact, more than half of all respondents in every demographic group measured—including age, political affiliation, income or region of the country—is unwilling or unsure of buying a car from a company under bankruptcy protection.
Of women surveyed, 57% said they are unwilling to buy from a manufacturer in bankruptcy, compared with 46% of men. Sixty percent of lower income Americans – those making less than $30,000 a year – say they are unwilling.
The results appear to back up the claims of automakers that filing bankruptcy would severely cripple their businesses.
A link to the demographic breakdown of responses can be found at cnbc.com. The full survey results will be released on December 10th.
Monday, Dec 8, 2008
Michelle OBrien