This week’s automotive news centers on the auto shows and what the cars of the future will bring. As we slowly emerge from the economic downturn of the last few years, the automotive industry is finding that the car market has changed. To begin with, it’s a younger market that’s entering the showroom. And of course, the market is still being challenged by the housing slump and uncertainty over gas prices. Still, it’s being predicted that Americans will likely buy a million more new cars in 2011 than they bought in 2010. So, what will those new cars be? Hybrids? American made? Compact cars?

Here are some of the questions facing the decision-makers of auto manufacturing. Kids today are more interested in getting the latest smart phone than their driver’s license. How do we change that? Teenagers and young adults are the largest portion of this year’s car buying population, but trends show they aren’t particularly interested in having new cars. For those of us in the older age brackets, we’re still worried about the housing and job markets and that dampens our desire to rush out and buy the latest and greatest of anything. So, like the younger folks, if we do consider a car purchase, many of us aren’t looking for a new car, or at least not a luxury car. Finally, the auto industry believes that gas prices, which are predicted to top $4 a gallon this year, will impact car buying decisions. But, is that enough to push folks over to the hybrid market? Interest in electric cars was strong at the auto shows, but reality shows that small truck sales, which include pickups, vans, and SUVs, have not lost many buyers to the smaller, greener vehicles.

So, what kind of ride will you have in 2011? If you are looking for a new car, we recommend that part of your shopping experience include talking to your insurance agent and your auto repair professional. They can tell you a lot about a car’s safety rating, reliability, and cost of repair. If you are in the market for a used car, we once again talking to these same professionals – plus, having a pre-purchase inspection performed on the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line. This can save you a ton of money and headache. Or, if you are planning to hang on to your current ride for a little longer, make sure you are doing what you can to keep it on the road and getting the best mileage you can. How? Preventative maintenance! Little things like changing your oil, airing up those tires, and cleaning the injectors can give your car new life and save many miles per gallon.

Happy trails to you and your chosen car this year!