AP Pimps For Government Motors, But America Loves Ford

...but, as usual when dealing with whores, what you get is often much different from what you see...

The headlines scream:

AP-GfK Poll: Americans say US cars top Asian autos

Slightly more Americans now say the United States makes better-quality vehicles than Asia does, with 38 percent saying U.S. cars are best and 33 percent preferring autos made by Asian companies, according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll.

So who do you think of? General Motors, first and foremost. And that's what the AP wants you to believe, even though they admit early on it's all about one particular American car company:

The survey suggests those numbers are largely fueled by a plunge in Toyota's reputation and an upsurge in Ford's.

You mean the company that scorned the government, refused taxpayer money, and swore they'd live or die their own way? One might think that America's new love affair with Ford might be a car-crush on the one company who stood up to a loathed president and his henchmen in Congress. Even the AP can't walk away from that supposition without losing all of its credibility, so it hides it in some green blather:

Williams and others also cited a fresh look Americans are giving U.S. automakers, especially Ford and General Motors. Though GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy last year and the federal government invested $80 billion to keep them afloat, GM has revamped its lineup with more fuel-efficient and crossover vehicles. Analysts say Ford revived its reputation by not accepting the taxpayer bailout and improving its vehicles' gasoline mileage.

So it's GM's "fuel efficiency" that's boosted it's standing, and Ford's "gasoline mileage" that has been it's primary mover (oh yeah, and -" not accepting the taxpayer bailout")? Even the AP's own survey don't bear that out:

Highlighting the changing attitudes, 15 percent in the March poll said Toyota makes the best cars, down from 25 percent who said so in 2006. Moving in the opposite direction was Ford, cited as tops by just 9 percent in 2006 but by 18 percent last month.

Eighteen percent said GM cars were best, little changed from 2006. Chrysler — which continues to struggle — remained mired at 3 percent.

Really, if this survey says anything, it is that GM has not gotten a second look, as its survey numbers are "little changed" in four years (and which direction is that "little change", I wonder? Since they don't mention it, I can only assume down). It's Ford which has doubled its positive ratings, and it ain't on fuel economy. It's on the most popular crossover vehicle out there, the Edge (sorry, AP, that's not a G vehicle you're seeing at every red light), the Mustang (with a 5.4L V8, it's pure American gas-slurpin' muscle. "Like it or not", Mr. President, Americans like muscle), and the ubiquitous F-150.

If Americans have turned their roaming eye back to American vehicles, it is only to one, the Ford. General Motors was dead to them the minutes Obama took their money and lavished it on GM's unions. Sorry, AP, but even you can't get me to look twice at the filthy old whore that is now known as "Government Motors"...

Related: Chrysler Group LLC lost a staggering $3.8 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection June 10 through the end of last year....But there were also were signs that Chrysler could have a rough go in the future, especially in the U.S., its key home market. The company's U.S. sales grew 5 percent for the quarter, but lagged behind other automakers as the whole market grew 15.5 percent. About 40 percent of Chrysler's sales for the period were to rental car companies and other fleet buyers, which generally yield lower profits than retail sales to individuals.