Ringing out the odd in auto industry.(Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO _Yet another wacky 12 months go down in history.

As evidence:

_To get fresh, youthful new designs in its lineup, General Motors hires retired Chrysler Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, 69, as head of product design. He promptly cancels the concept Buick Bengal, the only fresh, youthful new design in GM's concept studios.

_Ford Motor Co. names Chairman Bill Ford chief executive. To give Ford the CEO title, the automaker issues a "hit the road, Jac" memo to officeholder Jacques Nasser.

_Cynthia Trudell, the first woman to run a major U.S. auto company as president of Saturn, maker of cars, resigns to become president of Sea Ray Group, which, as the marine division of Lake Forest, Ill.-based Brunswick Corp., makes boats.

_The head of GM's Cadillac division, Michael O'Malley, quits to join J. Walter …