CHICAGO (WBBM) - If it's green, glitzy or new and on wheels, odds are that you can find it at the 100th Chicago Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public Friday.
WBBM’s Bob Roberts has the story.
The Auto Show sprawls across McCormick Place North and South, and the vehicles range in size from Dodge's tiny all- electric two-seater Gem to International's massive LoneStar truck cab, which comes complete with built-in microwave, television and DVD player, clothes lockers and seating for five in a back-of-the-cab space that can be converted into a pull-down bed.
Dodge and Jeep are back with their obstacle courses, and more concept and production hybrid and all-electric cars are featured than ever before, although Show Chairman Bob Loquercio said it is by no means the first time hat alternative fuel cars have played a major role at the Auto Show.
"A hundred years ago, the Auto Show had steam cars, electric cars and gasoline (powered) cars," he said. "Now, 100 years later, we have electric cars again."
But not steam?
"Thank goodness that steam has gone by the way of the railroads," he said.
You'd think that in 100 years, publicists for the auto manufacturers and dealerships would have tried everything at the Auto Show. But Loquercio said Dodge will present a first on Valentine's Day.
A wedding.
Dodge is throwing in a Journey cover band for the wedding of firefighter Blake Humphre to teacher Jackie Rohner. Their 100 closest friends also will be on hand, most of whom are coming to Chicago from Rock Island.
"They put their name in a drum," Loquercio said. "And yes, they'll get married down on the show floor."
No doubt next to the car of their dreams.
"One can only hope so," he said.
Loquercio's favorite car on the Auto Show floor is the 2008 Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck. He also loves Toyota's restyled Prius,which he said would be a "hot car" even if it weren't hybrid, but he said Toyota no longer owns the markets for hybrids at the Auto Show.
In fact, virtually every major manufacturer has either an electric, a hybrid, or both on display. Dodge is even showing an all-electric concept sports coupe, the Xeo, which is designed to have a 250-mile range.
The show runs through Feb. 17.
On the Net: www.chicagoautoshow.com
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