Billions of taxpayer bailout dollars just don’t seem to be helping the image of America’s stumbling automobile industry.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Americans now say they wouldn’t buy a car from an automaker in bankruptcy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) say they would buy a car from such a company, and 17% aren’t sure.

In December, 51% said they wouldn’t buy a car from a company in bankruptcy, but 31% said they would.

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Twenty-four percent (24%) of men now say they would buy a car from a bankrupt company, compared to 17% of women. Young people are slightly more likely to buy such a car than their elders.

Interestingly, Democrats, despite the high concentration of union workers in the auto industry, are much less likely to buy from a company in bankruptcy than are Republicans and adults not affiliated with either of the major political parties.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of African-Americans say no to a car from a bankrupt company versus 63% of whites.

Since the first poll appeared, Chrysler has borrowed $4 billion from the federal government to stay in business and has asked for $5 billion more. GM has already borrowed $13.4 billion and is seeking up to $17 billion more. Ford has not sought any government help.

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters oppose any additional taxpayer-backed loans for GM or Chrysler. All three automakers are a lot less popular with the public, particularly the two that are seeking federal help.

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