Despite a long-term slump in the auto industry-hitting jobs hardest in Michigan-most Americans view the country's big auto makers at least somewhat favorably. An overwhelming majority (84%) say the U.S. auto industry is at least somewhat important to the financial stability of the national economy overall, with 49% saying it is "very important."

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that 58% of Americans now say it's good for the economy when foreign automakers open plants stateside. That figure includes 63% of men and 53% of women. Overall, just 19% say it's bad.

Last July, responding to a slightly different question, 44% agreed that foreign investment in American companies is a good thing (including 57% of men and only 32% of women). Then, 33% of all respondents disagreed.

Unaffiliated Americans are slightly more bullish about foreign investment, with 65% saying it's a boon versus 58% of Republicans and 52% of Democrats.

As for the Big Three auto manufacturers, the Ford Motor Company is viewed favorably by 57% and unfavorably by 30%.

General Motors, which despite its own struggles remains the top car maker and posted strong sales last month, is viewed favorably by 69% and unfavorably by 22%, a jump for GM in our polling. In July of last year we found that 48% held a favorable opinion of the firm. (A proposed alliance then in the news between GM and Renault & Nissan never came to pass.)

Chrysler is regarded favorably by just 51%, unfavorably by 31%. The company is the American division of DaimlerChrysler, formed from a 1998 merger between Chrysler and Germany-based Daimler-Benz. High production costs in the U.S., including union-protected wage rates, have kept Chrysler from performing to parent company's satisfaction. The latter is now seeking to shed its acquisition even as Chrysler sheds 13,000 jobs.

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