Can't Dodge this economic bullet

Trust me with your money, Chrysler President Jim Press asked a tough crowd of Economic Club of Chicago members Thursday. But it's not clear if the audience was buying his sales pitch.

"The domestic auto industry has lost its way," Press said, speaking at a Chicago Auto Show preview luncheon. "We lost sight of the taxpayer. We need help from the government. We need help from taxpayers. It's been humbling."

Chrysler and General Motors received $4 billion and $9 billion bailout loans respectively from the federal government and are due back in Washington Tuesday to (1) explain what they've done with the money and (2) probably ask for more.

To be fair, when Chrysler was Nitro-ing* itself into the poorhouse, Press was CEO of Toyota North America.

This might explain the dual personalities Press exhibited during his speech - sunny optimist and truth-telling pessimist.

Glass-half empty Jim projected annual auto sales in the United States could continue at 10 million for the next four years - a huge downward swing from previous averages of 16 million.

"The mistake would be assuming a 10 million market is an aberration," Press said.

"I tell our dealers that one day we may look back on January 2009 as 'the good old days.'"

Then glass-half full Jim promised the audience that "Chrysler is alive and well."

The company has reinvented and restructured itself in the last 17 months - reducing inventory by 19 percent, discontinuing four models, and cutting 32,000 jobs, he said.

Gloomy Jim then explained it all seemed to be working when the housing market collapsed, credit disappeared, gas prices hit the roof and consumers stopped buying. "It was an automotive nightmare," he said.

Chrysler has used its loan to entice buyers by offering employee pricing and 0 percent loan deals although some willing customers can't get loans. The credit market is tight and 25 percent of the lost sales occur because people can't get loans, he noted.

Cheerful Jim then pointed to partnerships with Nissan and Fiat and the company's push to design electric vehicles.

"There's a heightened need for government and industry to work more closely. We're thankful for the bridge loan. Now we need to design great cars and trucks," he said.

So did Press convince the hundreds of blue-suited men at the lunch who all looked like they have chauffeurs and vacation homes?

"I want my money back," the real estate lawyer on my right said.

The retired banker on my left with a vacation home in Wyoming was more thoughtful when I asked him if he'd give the automakers more money.

"I don't think we have a choice. I hope he makes it a good investment," he commented.

*(The Dodge Nitro was the ill-fated SUV much-maligned in Consumer Reports.)

Marley and me

These days as everyone fears for their jobs, an auto show that screams excess is not the smartest idea. Fortunately there's a way to draw instant crowds and cameras without spending a fortune and that, of course, is dogs.

Auto show organizers cunningly staged a ceremony Thursday with puppies and Kane County police dogs that lured TV cameramen and reporters faster than free tacos in the press room.

At the event, the pet-travel consumer group Bark Buckle UP honored dog- and cat-friendly businesses. Along with awards to American Airlines, Hilton Hotels, PetSmart and GMC's Acadia, they gave out some thought-provoking statistics including the fact pet travel has increased 300 percent since 2005 and 98 percent of dogs travel unrestrained.

When accidents occur, dogs without seat-belt harnesses become projectiles, injuring themselves and passengers.

The other problem after a crash, explained Kane County sheriff's Deputy Matthew Goncher, is that a traumatized and unsecured dog can attack emergency responders trying to rescue people inside the vehicle or run away when the doors open.

Goncher was accompanied by K-9 unit Marshall, a 5-year German shepherd sporting a seat belt harness.

"We keep our children secure when we're driving, why not your dog?" Goncher asked.

For travel tips and recommended products, check out barkbuckleup.com.

Mailbag

In Transit reader Gaile DiGuido wants to prevent accidents at a busy shopping mall in Addison near Route 53 and Lake Street. "At the southwest corner, the shopping center has a Sam's, Walmart, Best Buy, Denny's and various other businesses," she writes. "A lot going on and yet there is no traffic light guiding traffic light out of the center."

Addison officials explain that a temporary traffic signal should be going in this year. The light is temporary because the Illinois Department of Transportation plans to widen and improve Route 53 from Thorndale Avenue to Army Trail Road, Addison Assistant Village Manager John Berley wrote.