Naturally, during the 2006 San Antonio auto show, there was no sign of the concept Challenger. And two weeks after I get my '09, Challengers show up at the 2008 show. Oh, well, at least I saved the admission fee. (By the way, I'm working tonight. Oddly, a little picture of a Challenger appears on Page 1A in a promo to this story. )

San Antonio Express-News 10-5-08:

Fuel economy steals spotlight at auto show

Camaro, Challenger just eye candy, while hybrids draw a big share of oohs and ahs.

By G. Chambers Williams III
Special to the Express-News

High-performance vehicles such as the retro-styled Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro convertible drew swarms of visitors Saturday afternoon at the San Antonio International Auto and Truck Show.
But a few exhibits away, the crowds seemed to be more in awe of the fuel-economy estimates printed on the display sticker for the Toyota Prius hybrid sedan: 48 miles per gallon city/45 highway.
“The Challenger is a dream car, and is a fun vehicle to consider because of the nostalgia and the power,” Steve Renner, 52, of Schertz said as he looked at the Prius. “But if this thing really has mileage that good, it’s the car I want.”
His wife, Bonnie, a home-health nurse, said she’s ready to trade her 1999 Nissan Maxima for a Prius just because of the impressive mileage.
“It’s important to me because I work out of my car,” she said. “I just need better mileage.”
The annual show, which concludes today, features about 400 new vehicles — virtually all of the new 2009 models — on the floor of the Convention Center downtown. Gas mileage, though, was a theme repeated by a number of show visitors, including Jack and Lola Desmond, both 62, of San Antonio.
Looking over the prototype of the 2009 Toyota Venza crossover sedan, which goes on sale in December, Jack Desmond asked, “Is this one a hybrid?”
When he was told that it wasn’t, he said, “I’m not interested, then. I’m about to retire and start taking 2,000-mile road trips, and I want something with good mileage.”
Michael Carruthers, 40, of Buda, who said he has been coming to the San Antonio auto show the past 14 years, described himself as a “real car guy.” But Carruthers added that he too was more impressed with the hybrids this year than anything else.
“I’m getting ready to order a Prius,” he said. “I used to come here to look at all the big, fancy cars and say I want this one or that one. Not anymore. I want something smaller and more fuel-efficient.”
Despite the slow economy and higher fuel prices, many visitors said they were attending the show because they intend to buy a new car soon and wanted to see what’s on the market without having to visit a lot of different dealerships.
“We’re probably going to buy something within the next couple of weeks,” said Chris Breeding, 33, of San Antonio who was checking out the cars with his wife, Leah, 27. “We like the American cars, especially the Pontiacs and Chevrolets.”
Leah Breeding said she was impressed by the many features included on some domestic models at what she considered to be bargain prices.
“They’re very well-equipped, but they’re priced so people can actually afford them,” she said.
Some visitors said they’re too concerned about the economy to consider buying a car right now, but a few said they believe its probably a good time to buy because of all the incentives automakers are offering.
“I came to look at everything that I’m not going to buy right now,” said Gary Smith, 53, of Fair Oaks Ranch. “Because of the good deals, now might actually be the best time to buy. But people are pretty scared.”
Nonetheless, the auto show has been flooded with visitors since it opened Thursday, said Minda Welch, president of the show’s sponsor, the San Antonio Auto Dealers Association. This is the 40th year for the show.
chambers@express-news.net