Study finds bankruptcy would turn off car buyers

7/17/2008

DETROIT More than 80 percent of Americans who intend to buy a new car would abandon their plans if the automaker behind the brand filed for bankruptcy, according to a study released yesterday.

The survey by auto market research firm CNW Research of 6,000 people who intend to buy new vehicles within six months found the sales losses would be highest for the U.S. automakers.

About 90 percent of the prospective buyers said they would abandon Chrysler LLC if it filed for bankruptcy. About 80 percent said they would drop plans to buy a vehicle from General Motors Corp. or Ford Motor Co. in the event of a bankruptcy.