Online Survey Finds Strong Opposition to Government Support for Troubled U.S. Carmakers

Results of month-long Internet poll shows nearly 80% opposition to federal aid to American carmakers.

Omaha, NE (PRWEB) March 3, 2006 -- American car companies are in trouble. They are losing market share in North America and find themselves swimming in red ink. Ford has lost its number two carmaker ranking to Toyota, who is expected to replace General Motors in the number one slot in 2006.

According to the UAW, the U.S. auto industry has lost some 200,000 jobs in the last five years.

With tens of thousands U.S. auto workers being laid off, dozens of plants being closed and their bonds downgraded to "junk" status, is it now time to consider government aid to the American auto industry, as suggested by the United Auto Worker's proposed "Marshall Plan?"

That's the question EV World (http://www.evworld.com) asked its readers in a recent online poll. The web-based publication asked, "Should the U.S. government provide financially-troubled American carmakers with economic aid to develop more efficient vehicles?"

The results were unequivocal. 19 percent (267) answered "yes", 2 percent (30) replied they were "unsure". A resounding 79 percent (1,114) answered "no". A total of 1,411 respondents participated in the poll.

While the results are not scientific, they clearly indicate strong opposition to taxpayer support of the American auto industry, at least on the part of EV World readers, a majority of whom have at least a college undergraduate degree or better and earn a median income of more than $100,000 annually.

EV World is a leading online information resource devoted to covering clean, green, sustainable transportation technology and policy. Launched in 1998, it features the largest news database of its type on the Internet, MP3 iTune podcasts, XML news feeds, user forums, reader blogs, and weekly newsletters. A premium content service is available to subscribers for $29 annually. Subscribers are automatically enrolled in a drawing for an eMax electric motor scooter, ideal for urban commuting or suburban errand runs.

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