CAR QUIZ; What we asked our readers

* Do you feel that Japanese automobile imports are contributing to the big rate of unemployment in the United States: Yes 715 No 414

* What factors do you feel have led to the crisis facing the American automobile industry? Please number the following from the most important to the least important:

Total by ratings 1 2 3 4 5 6 Poor planning by US auto industry 514 266 109 38 19 2 Higher labor costs 257 348 212 78 14 3 Unfair labor costs 29 33 75 133 311 89 US government ''meddling'' 19 57 134 278 194 39 Changing preferences 62 53 55 48 21 37

* Do you (or members of your family) own and drive a Japanese car?

Yes 578 No 566

* In terms of workmanship, fuel economy, and safety, how do you rate Japanese cars in comparison with American-made cars?

Workmanship Fuel economy Safety Vastly superior 373 Vastly superior 253 Vastly superior 29 Superior 374 Superior 413 Superior 71 Much better 205 Much better 273 Much better 98 About the same 142 About the same 169 About the same 566 Poor 23 Poor 4 Poor 260 Very poor 3 Very poor 0 Very poor 72

* Are you aware of the fact that sales of American-made cars in Japan have recently been on the decline?

Yes 593 No 541

* Do you think the United states should take steps to require Japan to import more American-made cars?

Yes 295 No 809

* What factors do you feel are contributing to the poor sales performance of American-made cars in Japan? Please rank in order of importance.

Totals by ratings 1 2 3 4 5 6 Inadequate marketing 38 101 118 91 131 100 Import taxes 84 161 139 113 67 27 High tariffs 86 139 121 95 67 40 Nontariff barriers 170 148 153 85 59 34 Unsuitability 483 116 73 65 58 22 Low level of overall growth 7 61 52 77 80 179 Other 57 39 8 11 6 5

* Do you think Japan is making enough of an effort to encourage automobile imports?

Yes 189 No 750

* Do you think the United States should take steps to limit imports of Japanese cars?

Yes 267 No 848

* How would you evaulate the American public's understanding of the US-Japanese automobile trade issue? Nonexistant 69 Limited 484 Aware, but weak 514 Well informed 33

[The totals do not add up to the 1,153 responses because of blanks left on the ballots.]