These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
44% Less Likely To Buy A Toyota, But It's Still More Popular Than Chrysler
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans now say they are less likely to buy a Toyota because of the automaker's recent large safety recalls.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) say they are more likely to buy a Toyota now. Thirty-six percent (36%) say the auto company's woes have no impact on their decision what to buy.
Just 48% of adults have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Toyota, although that still puts it ahead of what the public thinks of Chrysler. But it's down 11 points from a month ago . That number includes 16% who view Toyota very favorably. Forty-four percent (44%) regard the company unfavorably, including 21% with a very unfavorable opinion.
In September, Toyota led a list of nine major car manufacturers , including Ford and General Motors, when Americans were asked which they would be most likely to consider for their next purchase. But it ranked third in terms of the brand they would definitely buy.
Forty-three percent (43%) have a favorable view of Chrysler, with just nine percent (9%) very favorable. Forty-seven percent (47%) view the bailed-out automaker unfavorably, including 16% with a very unfavorable opinion.
Ford is the most popular of the five automakers included in the new survey. Seventy-three percent (73%) view Ford favorably and just 18% unfavorably. This includes 34% with a very favorable opinion and five percent (5%) who see the company very unfavorably.
Sixty-six percent (66%) have a favorable opinion of Honda, including 25% who view the carmaker very favorably. Honda is viewed unfavorably by 26%, with just eight percent (8%) very unfavorable.
The other bailed-out Big Three automaker, General Motors, is regarded favorably by 57% and unfavorably by 37%. These findings included 20% with a very favorable opinion and 11% who view GM very unfavorably.
Ford continues to outdistance GM and Chrysler in terms of favorability, but both of the bailed-out automakers have experienced noticeable upturns in their popularity since November .
Women under 40 are the least likely to buy a Toyota these days.
Men are more strongly favorable toward Ford than women are. Women, on the other hand, have a much more favorable view than men of GM.
Most Americans are keeping track of Toyota's woes. Seventy-three percent (73%) say they are following news reports about the automaker at least somewhat closely. Just 22% are not following very closely, if at all.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans believe that the government as the majority owner of GM has a conflict-of-interest when it comes to regulating competing automakers. Twenty-three percent (23%) think senior government officials are criticizing Toyota to help GM.
Looking back, 32% of Americans think the auto bailouts were a good idea, but 58% don't agree. These findings, too, are consistent with what voters have thought of the bailouts all along .