64% of Americans Agree That the American Automobile Industry is Stronger Than it Was Five Years Ago

Seven years ago, on June 1, 2009, in a historic move to save a failing flagship of American manufacturing, General Motors declared bankruptcy. Since a near collapse, the automobile industry has made significant strides in a comeback, according to the American people. Americans in large majorities agree that the industry is both stronger than it has been in years past as well as being a key driver of the U.S. economy.

Key Takeaways

• 64% of Americans agree that the American automobile industry is stronger than it was five years ago.
• 88% of Americans agree the American automobile industry is important for the US economy and jobs.
• Democrats (48%) are more likely than Republicans (39%) to agree that manufacturing is not as important to the U.S. economy as it used to be.
• 65% of Americans agree that Americans should buy American made automobiles.
• 52% of Americans believe that in five years, the state of the US economy and cost of oil/gasoline prices will be the most important factors to the success of the American automobile industry.

Thinking ahead to the next five years, which of the industries below do you think are MOST essential to America's economic success?

• Healthcare - 26%
• Technology and computing - 22%
• Energy - 20%
• Banks and finance - 12%
• Agriculture - 7%
• Telecommunication - 3%
• Automobile - 3%
• Entertainment and television streaming - 2%
• Another industry - 2%

Detailed Findings

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: The American automobile industry is stronger today than it was five years ago

• Men (71%) are more likely than women (57%) to agree the American automobile industry is stronger today than it was five years ago.
• Those with a household income of $50k (67%) are more likely to agree the American automobile industry is stronger today than it was five years ago than those that have a household income of less than $50k (59%).
• Democrats (71%) are more likely than Republicans (60%) to agree the American automobile industry is stronger today than it was five years ago.

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: The American automobile industry is important for the US economy and jobs

• Boomers (91%) and Gen Xers (90%) are more likely than Millennials (82%) to agree the American automobile industry is important for the US economy and jobs.

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Manufacturing is not as important to the US economy as it used to be

• Men (48%) are more likely than women (40%) are more likely to agree that manufacturing is not as important to the US economy as it used to be.
• Millennials (50%) are more likely than Gen Xers (44%) or Boomers (40%) to agree that manufacturing is not as important to the US economy as it used to be.
• Those with a household income above $50k (47%) are more likely than those with a household income below $50k (39%) to agree that manufacturing is not as important to the US economy as it used to be.
• Those with a college degree (51%) are more likely than those without a college agree (38%) to agree that manufacturing is not as important to the US economy as it used to be.

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Americans should buy American made automobiles

• Boomers (69%) are more likely than Millennials (59%) to agree Americans should buy American made automobiles.

Looking forward five years, what factors do you think will be the most important to the success of the American automobile industry? (Select all that apply)

• Republicans (43%) are less likely than Democrats (53%) to believe advancement in fuels technology (electric, ethanol, alternative) will be an important factor to the success of the American automobile industry in five years.
• Millennials (30%) are more likely than Gen Xers (20%) and Boomers (11%) to believe digital technology (e.g., internet connectivity and mobile streaming) will be an important factor to the success of the American automobile industry in five years.
• Those with a college degree (23%) are less likely than those without a college degree (30%) to believe interest rates on loans will be an important factor to the success of the American automobile industry in five years.

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted May 27th -29th, 2016. For the survey, a sample of 1,006 adults age 18+ was collected from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. Additional information is available for download on the right side of the page.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson Vice President US Ipsos Public Affairs 202.420.2025 [email protected]

Julia Clark Senior Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs 312.526.4919 [email protected]

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