• June 19, 2009

American consumers' opinions about Ford Motor Company have been positively influenced by the company's decision not to accept government bailout funds, and by the bankruptcy filings of rivals General Motors and Chrysler.

Automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacific conducted an online survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers regarding their purchase intent and opinions of individual car companies. Highlights include: Asian and European manufacturers scored highest when the survey asked: "How concerned are you about buying/leasing a vehicle from" a particular maker, with an average of 61% who were "not concerned at all." Ford scored 48%, far ahead of GM's 15% and Chrysler's 14%.

Ford matched or scored higher than its Asian and European competitors to the question "How likely are you to buy/lease a new car" from a specific manufacturer: Toyota scored 43%; Ford, 43%; Honda, 41%; Volkswagen, 33%; Hyundai, 22%; General Motors, 15% Likely/Very Likely and Chrysler, 7%.

Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they felt Ford was just lucky to have "cleaned house" before the economic downturn.--Karl Greenberg