Did Ford have a better idea?

One year ago, this blog was concerned almost weekly with the economic collapse and whether Washington should bail out Detroit’s auto makers (see this one, for example).

Now, Ford has announced its first operating profit since early 2008. Ford, you’ll recall, was the only one of the big three automakers to decide it didn’t want a bailout. Now, although it still has a lot of debt and some big union problems, it seems poised to rebound.

My question to you is, are you more inclined to buy a Ford because the company didn’t take a bailout? Are you less inclined to buy a GM or Chrysler now because of the government’s involvement? Or are you just going to shop for the best car regardless of any of this?

Personally, I grew up in a GM family. We never even considered a Ford. But when I buy again, I’ll certainly take a hard look at them.