Buying Car for a New Economy?

Automakers in Detroit, Japan and Germany all seem to be grappling with how to respond to shifting consumer tastes and marketplace demands. Vehicle sales dropped 2.2 percent in November, the once-unstoppable popularity of SUVs has been decelerating for months, and GM announced it is scrapping its venerable Oldsmobile brand. Promising new wheels are on the horizon, including gas/electric hybrids, but other new technologies, like fuel cells, are still in development. With the auto industry in transition, the Business Journal asks:

What would you look for in a new car?

Marie Condron

Co-Founder SupplyCurve.com

Since I think the most important thing we're facing right now is fuel efficiency, as a consumer, I would look for an electric or hybrid car. Personally, I'm really concerned about the effect of fossil fuels on the environment, but as recently as a few years ago, when I was looking for a car, it didn't seem like the options were really there yet. But over the past couple of years I've learned about the advances, so it's more important to me than ever. I want to support those new types of cars and would really like to see them catch on.

Eugene Kallman

Theatrical Producer Reunion Group

I just like four-door sedans. People go crazy thinking about what kind of ride they have, but I take pride in showing up in a 10-year-old car. I have an old Mazda 626 and I'm proud of it. Actually, I recently produced a cast album for my off-Broadway show, and I can't play the CD because my car doesn't have a CD player. But if I were buying a new car, I'd look for one that my wife would be proud of me in, but with the same reliability as my Mazda. I'd like to have a mid-priced American car with the same amount of reliability as my Japanese one, but maybe this time I'd get leather seats and a CD player.

Mark Stephens

Vice president of Marketing Debix Systems

Interestingly enough, right now I drive an Oldsmobile Bravada, which is an early Oldsmobile SUV. So this week I was basically told that my car is a fossil. I have three little boys, so my first priority would be safety rather than gas mileage or brand name. And quite honestly, I like sitting up higher, so I would probably look for something along those lines. A friend recently suggested I look at the Nissan Xterra, so that would be one of the first ones I'd look at.

Hal Meyers

Director of Communications AON Corp.

I'd look for some benefits from features we haven't seen yet. There have to be some new things out there. For instance, windshield wipers that don't flip-flop, outside rearview mirrors that have a reflective coating. But if I were actually to go buy a car, it would be sporty and maneuverable. I've recently been checking out electric cars, although there appears to be some restrictions, given the number of recharging stations out there. I mean, if there was one of those every three blocks, as there are with gas stations, people might be more inclined to drive electric cars.

Kristi VandenBosch

Executive Vice President Direct Partners

I tend to not want to have a giant engine in front of me -- giant, gas-guzzling things. I always look for something that represents me well. Something in black, sexy in design, something that stands out in the crowd and is unexpected. The Jaguar XK8 is one I've seen lately. For practicality, I wind up with four doors, but in my heart of hearts, I'm a coupe person. I try to buy the most practical impractical car I can find. I have to have four doors for clients, but I also have to have something distinctive.