JANESVILLE, Wis. -- When it comes to buying a vehicle, where it was made used to be a deciding factor. But as the economy slows and budgets tighten, it's not the influence it once was.

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Jerry Johnson, of Delavan, said his two-seat convertible won't cut it as a full-time family car.

"We're a two-car family, and we're thinking of going down to one vehicle," Johnson said. "(We want) something that has fairly decent gas mileage (and) that's got a little room in it.

I used to own pickup trucks, and I'd like to kind of have that old pickup truck feel where I can at least throw something in the back."

On Friday, Johnson was checking out a Ford, but he said the fact it's American doesn't matter. He said he's just looking for the best car for his money.

"I hate to see the jobs leave that the Americans have, but that's business. In my point of view, the Big Three just never kept up," Johnson said.

"In this very tough economic time, the most important thing for folks is, 'What does this mean to me economically? How does this affect my pocketbook?'" said Deborah Mitchell, associate dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison enterprise MBA program.

Mitchell said customers make decisions based on a personal connection. At one time, that connection was to support American companies. Now, she said consumers are being forced to look out for themselves.

"The things that are going to be important to them are going to be related to economic concerns, and also for many people, what makes sense for the world, the environment," Mitchell said.

Many consumers still purchase cars from the big three American automakers because they like the cars. When Johnson picks his new vehicle, he said it will be because it's a perfect fit -- whether it's American or an import.

"We'll look. It'll take time, but it'll be out there," Johnson said.

Mitchell also said that the uncertain future of the American auto industry could drive away consumers who fear maintenance will be difficult if the dealerships are gone.