A survey conducted in March 2010 by the Associated Press and GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media has found that Americans now feel the quality of vehicles produced by domestic manufacturers has surpassed that of their Asian counterparts. According to data in the AP-GfK Poll, 38 percent of those queried claimed they preferred U.S. cars while 33 percent gave the edge to those of Asian makers. German automakers got top marks for quality from 15 percent of the survey respondents. To compile the study, the polling team contacted a random phone sample of 1,002 adults, 702 were interviewed on landlines and 300 on cellular units.
The figures from this new survey indicated some rather pronounced variations from a previous AP-AOL poll on the matter, which was conducted in December 2006. At that point, 46 percent of those individuals contacted felt cars made in Asian countries had the best in quality with just 29 percent finding U.S. makes topping the index and 17 percent deeming German marques superior. Among the biggest variations in the best quality appraisals from 2006 to now are the precipitous drop of Toyota from 25 percent to 15 percent — a decline no doubt greatly influenced by its current raft of recalls — and the equally impressive rise of Ford, which saw its standing in this benchmark category rise from nine to 18 percent. Survey respondents still pegged GM’s “best quality” stat near 16 percent and left Chrysler trailing the domestic mix with a three percent best rating, right where it was in 2006.
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