WSJ reports a pair of new surveys suggest buyers aren't completely unwilling to buy a car from an auto maker in bankruptcy court, as long as the federal government is willing to play a role in helping the company restructure.
This contradicts the conventional view of Detroit auto makers that suggests consumers would shun a bankrupt auto maker over fears related to the resale value of a car, the warranty and the ability to secure service and replacement parts.
Merrill Lynch recently completed a study showing 90% of car buyers would consider purchasing a vehicle from a car company in bankruptcy court. Another survey, by CNW Marketing Research, found 48% would consider buying from a bankrupt auto maker if the company were getting help from the government, but that is up from a previous survey conducted by the company.