New president of local auto trade association optimistic about future

Dave Sloan of Wilmette grew up in suburban Detroit, the heartland of the auto industry. He also followed in his father's footsteps and went into public relations to help serve that industry.

But he never expected the turmoil that erupted in Detroit, which rippled throughout the world last year as major automakers filed bankruptcy and reorganized, workers and longtime brands were shed, and many local dealerships closed.

"I never thought I'd see it happen, with GM and Chrysler going through bankruptcy," Sloan said. "For someone who grew up in the Detroit area, it was upsetting. They were the strongest companies, and the biggest in the world when I was growing up. Then to see the hardships of these dealers, it was terrible."

But those woes didn't stop Sloan, 45, from continuing his career in the industry. This week, he became the new president of the Oakbrook Terrace-based Chicago Automobile Trade Association. He replaced Jerry Cizek III, who retired after 36 years. Cizek will remain as a consultant during the transition in the next few months.

The association has produced the annual Chicago Auto Show since 1935, including the one coming on Feb. 12-21.

The board of directors groomed Sloan for the last 16 years, the association's chairman, Kevin Mize, said in a statement.

"I can't imagine that we could have had a more positive and productive scenario for a change of command," Mize said.

Sloan has his work cut out for him as the industry troubles continue to wreak havoc on local dealerships. The association, which has about 600 members such as dealerships and other companies, saw about 100 leave the ranks last year. Many dealerships closed due to the cutbacks in Detroit and the loss of many longtime brands.

"Dave is one of the cornerstones of that association," said Mark Scarpelli, owner of Raymond Chevrolet and Kia in Antioch and last year's auto show chairman. "He's seen the industry in good times and in some very trying times."

Sloan grew up in suburban Detroit with his mother, Jeanne, and father, Jerry Sloan, a retired public relations executive with Ford. They now live in North Carolina.

After graduating Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in communications, Dave Sloan's first job was doing public relations for GM in its Chicago office. That's when Sloan had his first taste of the auto show and handled the media preview with GM executives on site, he recalled.

In 1993, Sloan started working with CATA as executive vice president and again worked the auto show, this time from the inside.

"We worked to make it a big deal," Sloan said. "And with all the running around, I lost nine pounds and there were nine days of the show left."

The auto show grew from one building to spanning two buildings at McCormick Place in Chicago. While the auto industry itself has been suffering in recent years, the displays at the show did not, he said.

He recalled first promoting product introductions live with WGN-TV starting around 1996.

Displays and exhibits became more sophisticated, including Chrysler's test track where potential car buyers could ride on a track inside the building.

Then Jeep put up a 14-foot hill over water and logs to provide a more intense experience. "People waited about 45 minutes just to do it," Sloan said. "I loved it the first time I went on it. It was like a new ride at an amusement park. It was cool looking down the hill and you were really relying on the technology of that Jeep."

Despite all the innovation, the industry itself endured dramatic changes. Automakers shrank and so did local dealerships, which affected the taxes collected by their respective towns.

"So much of a municipality's budget is made up from the sales taxes from the dealerships. They also help local groups and charities," Sloan said.

Now with the state government in turmoil, Sloan worries that legislators may dump on the remaining dealers even more. "We need to make sure they don't transfer their problems onto the dealers in the form of new taxes," Sloan said. "It's an industry that's in trouble and to add more trouble onto the backs of our dealers isn't smart. They get a lot in fees and taxes from the sale of new cars."

Despites the industry's problems, Sloan remains optimistic about the future. After all, the automakers are introducing vehicles with new technology and more fuel efficiency.

"That's going to get people back in the market, especially those who have been out of it for a while," Sloan said. "There's some pent-up demand, especially for small fuel-efficient vehicles and economy cars and SUV's. That's what will get the people back."