Most want protection against car imports

A nationwide survey commissioned by the Detroit Free Press indicates that 70 percent of the American people favor government action to protect US automakers from foreign competition, even though about half of those questioned said imported cars are better made. The survey reinforced the notion that American autos have a serious image problem, with only 51 percent of those responding saying the United States makes the best cars. Nineteen percent said Japanese cars are best and 18 percent named German cars. Younger Americans and small car drivers -- often one and the same -- held the lowest opinions of American-built autos.