A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 84% of adults consider the U.S. automobile industry at least somewhat important to the financial stability of the overall economy. That includes 39% who believe it is Very Important.

Only 8% of those surveyed think the auto industry is not very important to the U.S. economy.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of adults say it is good for the economy when foreign automakers open plants in the United States. Twenty-two percent (22%) disagree and say it is bad for the economy, while 27% are not sure.

Americans are fairly evenly divided as to whether the government should provide direct financial incentives to help the auto industry-- 42% say it should provide tax incentives for anyone who buys a domestic car. Thirty-five percent (35%) disagree.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe the government should charge a tarrif on any purchase of a foreign car. Forty-three percent (43%) do not share this view.

Forty-four percent (44%) of adults believe auto companies are more to blame for the problems of the United States Auto Industry while 26% blame problems on the United Auto Workers union. Another 29% are not sure who is to blame.

In recent years, the domestic auto industry has seen a steady decline of sales in the United States. Between 2000 and 2006, GM, Ford and Chrysler saw a 10% drop in sales. Last year, Ford saw a 12% drop in sales.

At the same time, the Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures the economic confidence of consumers on a daily basis, has fallen to its lowest levels in nearly five years. Consumer confidence is lower today than it was in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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