The auto companies should receive government loans, according to most of the 250 high school students polled in a recent survey. Almost all of the students polled were from Michigan.
The results of the poll were a bit confusing, as 64% of respondents felt that the US auto industry was "very important" to the economy. On the other hand, a high percentage of Michigan youths also said that they would buy foreign automobiles rather than good old American cars.
There was a big difference between male and female responses, as 17% more boys than girls said that they would buy a foreign car. In addition, 16% more girls think Congress should give the auto companies a $25 billion bridge loan.
America’s Marketing High School Web site conducts surveys to encourage students to be more engaged in what is going on in the news about the world around them. The site is provided to high school business and marketing classrooms locally and throughout the United States. Founders of the website are Paul Galbenski, Oakland Schools intermediate district technology center instructor, and Mike Bernacchi, University of Detroit marketing professor.
These exercises are great, but I wonder how much these young respondents really understand what's going on. They don't even pay the taxes that will provide the loans.
For that matter, how much do any of us know? It's so complicated and political that even I don't know how I feel. I've lived in Michigan my whole life but just don't like the government constantly doling out cash. I do know that I have never bought a foreign car, nor do I intend to.
High school survey reveals students support Detroit 3
Thursday, December 4, 2008 6:12 AM EST
Most students who participated in a high school marketing
survey would bail out the three Detroit automakers, but girls are more
sympathetic to the industry's struggle than the boys.
In fact, 17 percent more boys than girls said they would buy a car with a
foreign nameplate. Girls appear to be more loyal to the American brands,
according to data from the America’s High School Poll regarding a possible auto
industry bailout. Fourteen percent more girls said they think the automobile
industry is ‘very important’ to the U.S. economy and 16 percent more girls think
Congress should give the auto companies a $25 billion bridge loan.
The marketing Web site on which the survey was offered is coordinated by its
founders Paul Galbenski, Oakland Schools intermediate district technology center
instructor, and Mike Bernacchi, University of Detroit marketing professor. The
Web site is provided to high school business and marketing classrooms locally
and throughout the United States.
About 250 Michigan students participated in the computer
survey, about half of them from Oakland County, Bernacchi said. Students from
only one out-of state school participated in this survey.
“That shows the fate of the auto industry is not on the radar screen as much as
in Michigan,” Bernacchi said.“I feel fairly comfortable this is the view of the
majority of metropolitan kids … and I think that flows fairly well with the
adult population.”
But for Bernacchi, the most surprising result was the difference between male
and female responses and also the high percentage of Michigan youths that would
buy foreign cars.
Had he made any predictions, Bernacchi would have said a
Michigan student would likely say he or she would buy an American car. “The fact
that most of these kids were Michigan kids, we can’t be accused of duping the
data when they say they would buy foreign nameplates. That is a different way of
viewing things,” Bernacchi said. Female respondents were both “highly more
likely to buy an American car and select ‘highly important’ on the bailout.
“I don’t know if that is appeal or gut instinct. If I try to justify the
responses, I can’t,” Bernacchi said.
Galbenski said the surveys have encouraged students to be more engaged in what
is going on in the news about the world around them.
“My students are saying, “They aren’t asking for $25 billion anymore, it is $34
million.' They are on top of what is happening with this.We obviously are
effected by the auto industry; parents, grandparents, friends, relatives and
neighbors. We want them to be engaged and be informed citizens. I am glad we are
able to offer that opportunity to them and provide solid discussions about
whether (the loan) should be granted,” Galbenski said.
In addition, he also thinks they are becoming more aware of the terms used in
various news stories. “It is not a bailout. It is a loan,” Galbenski said.
The goal of the American High School surveys is to provide high school students
with an opportunity to have their “voice” heard with regards to marketing and
economic topics.
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