According, to a new poll conducted by the Associated Press and AOL Autos, 58% of US car owners believe that foreign manufacturers make the best quality cars, yet only 17% stated that they actually preferred to buy foreign cars as opposed to American brands.

44% believed that Japan makes the best quality cars, out-pacing the United States (29%) and Germany (15%).

However, whilst quality appeared to still be an important factor, in terms of preferred options leather fared extremely badly. According to the poll, safety was their main concern with 21% of car owners and buyers naming side airbags as preferred options, followed closely by anti-lock braking systems, with 18% choosing navigation systems. Leather was the least popular preferred option, recording only 2% of the vote.