Congress now has sent its “Cash for Clunkers” bill to President Obama to sign into law, but most Americans oppose the plan to encourage people to trade in old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models. Few adults plan to take advantage of the program at this time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% oppose the “Cash for Clunkers” proposal. Thirty-five percent (35%) favor the plan, and 12% are undecided.

Last month, 42% favored the proposal to offer car owners up to $4,500 if they turn in their old vehicle and put the money toward an energy-saving replacement. Just 34% opposed it at that time.

However, the differing numbers are most likely the result of different question wording. The first survey, showing modest support for the plan, did not mention how much the program might cost the federal government. The second survey, showing majority opposition, did indicate that the program could cost up to $4 billion.

Men points like the program better than women and those under 30 are far more supportive than their elders.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of investors oppose the program, even though some believe it will help domestic auto sales. Government employees like it more than those who work in the private sector.

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Seventeen percent (17%) of all Americans say they are very likely buy a new car this year because of the new program. Another 18% say they are somewhat likely to do so if they qualify. But 64% don’t plan to take advantage of the cash for clunkers program to buy a car this year.

Fifty percent (50%) of all adults say the program should be limited to those who purchase cars made in America. Twenty-nine percent (29%) oppose any such limit, and 21% are not sure.

In January, 51% of Americans favored providing tax credits to individuals who purchase alternative fuel cars. Given a choice between a car recently developed that ran on an alternative fuel source and a traditional gas powered car, 49% said they would buy the alternative fuel vehicle. Thirty-four percent (34%) said they would opt for a traditionally fuelled car.

As part of the ongoing bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, the federal government now has a major ownership stake in both automakers. Eighty percent (80%) of U.S. voters want the government to sell its stake in both companies as soon as possible.

Forty-one percent (41%) of Americans expect the quality of GM cars to get worse now that the government is the majority owner of the company.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) say it’s at least somewhat likely that they will be personally impacted by the closing of GM and Chrysler dealerships across the country as part of the bankruptcies.

Because of the government’s ownership stake in the automakers, most Americans (57%) believe it’s likely the government will pass laws and regulations giving those firms an unfair advantage over other car companies.

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