Poll: Overwhelming Majority Opposed To State House Involvement In Manufacturer/Retailer Contracts

New Hampshire Consumers Want Car Buying Reform, Not Dealer Protection

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Independent poll results released today by automakers show the overwhelming majority of New Hampshire residents are opposed to state legislature involvement in the private business relationships between auto manufacturers and retail car dealers.  Seventy-one (71) percent of respondents say government should stay out of such private business matters, with only 11 percent supportive of legislative involvement. 

"New Hampshire consumers are clearly opposed to the State House interceding in private business contracts between two willing parties, and 7 out of 10 respondents oppose any state legislative action that would block automakers from implementing much-needed reforms to improve the car buying process," said Dan Gage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.  "Senate Bill 126 is an unfair favor for wealthy car dealers at the expense of everyone else.  It will cost consumers more."

Gage indicated that poll results demonstrate that New Hampshire consumers support automakers' ongoing efforts to reform and improve the car buying process:

• 70 percent currently do not look forward to the car buying process;
• 66 percent want to be treated more like a VIP when buying a new vehicle;
• 94 percent believe more transparent pricing that lists hidden dealer costs is either very important (84 percent) or somewhat important (10 percent);
• 79 percent believe a consumer-friendly shopping experience is either very important (50 percent) or somewhat important (29 percent);
• 76 percent believe an end to unnecessary pressure from car salesmen is either very important (47 percent) or somewhat important (29 percent);
• 78 percent say a faster, easier process of selecting vehicle options is either very important (44 percent) or somewhat important (34 percent);
• 68 percent say automakers should have a say in how their products are sold and represented to consumers; and
• 69 percent oppose any state action intended to block manufacturer reforms.

"This polling shows that the overwhelming majority of New Hampshire consumers support ongoing manufacturer-led initiatives to make the car buying process simpler, more transparent, and more consumer-friendly," said Gage.  "Dealers argue that their legislation is pro-consumer, but nothing in their special favor bill would address a single important reform identified by consumers or lower their costs.  It will instead do the opposite and preserve the status quo."

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), car dealers in 2012 made the highest profits ever recorded in NADA's history, rising 6% from previous record setting profits recorded in 2011 and proving dealers do not need special protections or favors from Concord.

"Lawmakers have a clear decision ahead – side with wealthy car dealers or side with New Hampshire consumers," added Gage.  "Quite simply, it's a bill by dealers for dealers and no one else."

The poll of 800 New Hampshire adults, with a +/-4 percentage points margin of sampling error, was conducted on May 8^th by Pulse Opinion Research on behalf of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the leading advocacy group for the auto industry, represents 77% of all car and light truck sales in the United States, including the BMW Group, Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen Group of America and Volvo Cars North America.

SOURCE Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers