Here are the latest survey numbers we received late yesterday from Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
54% Say Chrysler Likely to Be Profitable Once More
Monday, April 27, 2009
Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that Chrysler will once again be a profitable company. However, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that only 14% believe that the struggling automaker is Very Likely to become profitable.
Sixty-six percent (66%) say it is better for the economy to let Chrysler go into bankruptcy than for the federal 
Thirty-four percent (34%) now think it is not even somewhat likely that Chrysler will ever again be in the black financially.
In February, 57% said it was at least somewhat likely that Chrysler or General Motors would go out of business in the next few years.
The current survey was taken Friday and Saturday prior to the announcement that Chrysler has reached a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers to cut labor costs, moving it a key step closer to a deal with Fiat and the receipt of billions more in federal loans. Now the company has to work out a debt-reduction deal with banks and other creditors by the Thursday deadline set by President Obama's auto task force.
One of the big stumbling blocks in cost cutting for all the automakers has been their huge pension liabilities for existing and retired union workers.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans say the federal government should guarantee that Chrysler's employees and retirees get the pension benefits they were promised, regardless of what happens to the company. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, and 14% are not sure.
Fifty percent (50%) of investors say the government should guarantee Chrysler's union pensions, compared to 59% of non-investors.
The federal government currently insures a portion, but not all, of pensions defaulted on by failing companies.
According to news reports, Chrysler may still opt for a structured bankruptcy to get rid of its bad debt, even if a deal is reached with Fiat and more government loans are forthcoming. Just 25% of Americans say they would buy an automobile from a company that was in bankruptcy.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of adults say they would not buy a car from a bankrupt automaker, but 21% are not sure. In March, 63% said they would not buy an auto from a company in bankruptcy .
To keep Chrysler out of bankruptcy, 50% of adults say all parties should sacrifice equally. One in four (24%) say unions should sacrifice more than creditors and shareholders. Six percent (6%) say creditors should sacrifice more, while 10% believe shareholders should be asked to give up more than the others.
Half of investors (50%) say it's at least somewhat likely Chrysler can be profitable again, compared to 57% of non-investors. Americans under the age of 40 are much more confident of that than their elders.
Investors (33%) are more than twice as likely as non-investors (16%) to say unions should make the biggest sacrifice.
Seventy-six percent (76%) of voters believe it is possible for the U.S. economy to recover even if General Motors goes out of business.
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To view a copy of the original report, please use this link: Is Chrysler Toast?