Would You Buy a Car From a Bankrupt Manufacturer?

Suppose you were going to buy a new car. With all things being equal—like price, performance, extra features—would you be willing to purchase a car made by a manufacturer that has filed for bankruptcy protection?

That's the question CNBC and Portfolio.com asked in the most recent "Wealth in America" survey (full results will be released Dec. 10).

The survey of 800 Americans, conducted from December 1 through December 3, reveals that 52 percent of Americans are unwilling to buy a car from a manufacturer that is under bankruptcy protection. Thirty-seven percent said they're willing to purchase an auto from a manufacturer under bankruptcy protection and 11 percent said they weren't sure. The results appear to back up the claims of automakers that filing bankruptcy would severely cripple their businesses.

Watch Steve Liesman's report at left

• See the complete demographic breakdown of responses

The concern is widespread. The survey finds that more than half of all respondents in every demographic group measured—including age, political affiliation, income or region of the country—is unwilling or unsure of buying a car from a company under bankruptcy protection.

Women are among the most likely to avoid such a situation; 57 percent said they are unwilling to buy from an automaker in bankruptcy, compared with 46 percent of men. Those who live in the southern region as well as those lower income Americans are also wary, with 60 percent of those making less than $30,000 a year saying they are unwilling.

What do you think? Would the company's fiscal status impact your buying decision?

Related Links:

• Congress Weighing Major Restructuring of Automakers
• How A Bailout Might Work
• GM, Chrysler Open to Merger

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