An August 2009 Consumer Reports survey is getting quite a bit of attention today. Among the 1,777 car owners CR phoned from July 30 to August 3 of this year, 79 percent said they are likely to consider an American-brand car. That compares with 51 percent who would consider an Asian-brand car and 37 percent who would buy European.
This survey is conducted annually, so it would be interesting to compare these percentages to last year's numbers, but we weren't able to dig up the 2008 results. (However, in a brand perception survey published in January 2008, Toyota and Honda finished on top by a wide margin.) CR has published the 2008 and 2009 percentage changes for buyers' likelihood to buy from Chrysler, Ford and GM, though: No surprise that Ford is up 10 percent. GM, meanwhile, is flat, while interest in buying a Chrysler has dipped 28 percent.
Lack of appealing product was cited for all three brands as a reason not to buy domestic. Buyers were also concerned about financial stability in the case of Chrysler and GM, and potentially low quality in the Chrysler and Ford lineups.
To the surprise of no one, price (49 percent) is the number one cited buying consideration among all respondents, followed by fuel economy (47 percent) and safety (42 percent)
estreka says:
08:12 AM, 09/ 3/09
I'm pleasantly surprised to find safety is not everyone's top priority. Cars are so safe now that we've delved into the realm of excess (in my view). The fact that people can drive 80mph into a tree and survive is testament to that.
1487 says:
08:28 AM, 09/ 3/09
You should see how low "environemntal impact" is on the list. People want fuel economy, but apparently not because they are concerned about the environment. Not surprising to me.
The reason there is a gap between the results in the surveys is there are a large # of people who don't buy American who claim they want to but pretend there are insufficient good choices on the market. Then again, I would say the gap in perception would be lower now than in January 2008 which was way before the bailout saga began and Ford's image was buffed. I bet Ford is very close to the other two by now.
BTW, I thought consideration for GM and Ford was up for new car buyers. I think that is what counts.
blueguydotcom says:
08:39 AM, 09/ 3/09
Shows me how out of tune I am with Americans. Price, fuel economy and safety have little influence on my purchase.
Then again, when I bought in February I did look at an American car and liked it - CTS - but found that the performance/fun-to-drive factor wasn't there for me.
felonious says:
09:01 AM, 09/ 3/09
I'm glad that Ford is up - they deserve it! They're making quality products that people actually want to buy, with more coming in the near future. Way to go, blue oval!
altimadude00 says:
09:30 AM, 09/ 3/09
A close second behind the Altima I bought was a Ford Fusion. If I hadn't found a used one that I wanted, I would have started looking at Fords.
urr2slo says:
10:16 AM, 09/ 3/09
in today's economic times i feel it's important to buy a car built here in the usa, regardless of the manufacturer. we need to support our economy, not someone elses. alot of import nameplates are built here as well as alot of the domestics built outside the usa. by supporting and employing people here, they will earn and spend here turning our economy around sooner. my family has purchased 4 new cars in the last 12 months, 3 were built here, 1 in canada, had to have the new camaro but alot of it's content came from here. we sold 2 imports, 2 domestics, but 3 were built out of the usa. after comparing alot of cars, i have been able to find just as good a quality and comfort in the local product as the import. some of these are cars i wouldnt have thought of 5 years ago. you need to compare and look at our local products more and you will be surprised, i have been.
DCuerpoJr says:
11:16 AM, 09/ 3/09
As of right now, the two markets that the American brands haven't been able to fully capitalize on are: Compact/Fuel Efficient cars & Small SUVs/CUVs. However, Ford and GM have a lot of products in the pipeline that are due out in the next 18 months that seem to be hits.
I'm concerned about Chrysler though. I'm not sure how Fiat will be able to incorporate their smaller vehicles while meeting America's safety and emission standards. Plus I haven't seen enough of Chrysler's future product line up to be impressed.
roadburner says:
11:39 AM, 09/ 3/09
"Shows me how out of tune I am with Americans. Price, fuel economy and safety have little influence on my purchase."
Me too.
charlesb says:
11:39 AM, 09/ 3/09
I'm guessing that seventy-eight percent who would "consider" domestic includes a whole lot of people who would end up buying Japanese. The domestics are going to continue to hurt.
3diamonds says:
12:07 PM, 09/ 3/09
How many percentage points is this survey based off of? 49%+47%+42%. I was never very good at math but, that seems like a little more than 100% to me.
brn says:
01:36 PM, 09/ 3/09
Price wasn't a factor for blueguy and roadburner?
I wanna trade places with you.
canddmeyer says:
02:22 PM, 09/ 3/09
I'll buy the best bang for my buck, no matter who makes it or where it is made.
zoomzoomn says:
02:40 PM, 09/ 3/09
My last two automotive purchases were Asian models that are built here. My chief decision point is getting the vehicle that I want, but it being built here did play a role.
felonious says:
03:20 PM, 09/ 3/09
Off-topic: Dear Ford, please build a diesel Flex for me. :)
stephen987 says:
05:58 PM, 09/ 3/09
@3diamonds: the survey asked if they would CONSIDER each of these groups. Apparently some of the respondents were willing to consider more than one type of vehicle. Ever heard of that?
1487 says:
06:49 AM, 09/ 4/09
"I wanna trade places with you."
Badge and snob appeal are what's critical to them I believe. Price is certainly no object however. RB has made that clear MANY times. Modestly isn't his strong suit apparently.
roadburner says:
06:36 PM, 09/ 4/09
"Badge and snob appeal are what's critical to them I believe."
Yes, that's why I also own a 1999 Jeep and a 2007 Mazda.
"Price is certainly no object however. RB has made that clear MANY times."
I have? When?
"Modestly isn't his strong suit apparently."
Is everyone in Philadelphia as bitter as you?
stephen987 says:
08:57 AM, 09/ 5/09
Have you seen Philadelphia?