What are the dates of the Chicago Auto Show and the Carquest World of Wheels custom car show?
–G.R., Berwyn A: The Chicago Auto Show will be held Friday, Feb. 8, to Sunday, Feb. 17, at McCormick Place, with a show charity night the evening of Feb. 7, said Dave Sloan, executive vice president of the show-sponsoring Chicago Automobile Trade Association. The World of Wheels event is this Friday through Sunday at McCormick Place East. Q: My wife and I are considering a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander but are a bit hesitant because we’re unsure of Mitsubishi’s financial health. We’re wondering if Mitsubishi may decide to pull out of the United States. –J.B., Springfield A: It looks as if Mitsubishi — the only Japanese automaker with an Illinois plant — will sell vehicles in America for quite a while. While 2007 was a mediocre year here for many automakers, sales of Mitsubishi cars and trucks totaled 128,993 units, up from 118,558 units in 2006. Outlander sales more than doubled to 23,285 units here last year from 11,493 in 2006. Mitsubishi is a huge outfit, with its vehicle operation
