Lutz Biography

I was surprised not to see a mention of Cunningham Car Company and the C7. That was such a stunning car. Something like that, if it could have been carried over, would have resonated even in a lower priced GM product (if only the styling had been carried over) - competition for the new Chrysler 300.

A product like the Cunningham C7 is what I'd like to see from Buick - stunning but simply curved design that hints at American Heritage with a brash eggcrate (or waterfall) grille.

dear mr lutz,
i think that our liftgates on our suv's are poorly designed.in the process of lifting the liftgate,if it is raining ,or in the winter,rain or snow drips onto the user of the liftgate.the simple fix is to design a "lip"on the bottom of the liftgate.this would drive the rain or snow to the side of the liftgate.
(a concerned retired mfg eng)
thankyou gordon colorito

I'm impressed with GM's efforts to be specific about future Hydrogen based vehicles but I think there is a technology combination which has been overlooked in the interim. I'm referring to the plug-in hybrid.

The key idea is to increase the battery capacity of hybrids with the focus on allowing a commuter to drive a significant portion of the daily round trip on electric power. It would be up to the consumer to determine what the cheapest option for the power source would be, but in the Southwest part of the country solar is a viable option. By shifting the energy blend from 100% gasoline today to even 30% electric/renewable on new hybrid cars the impact on energy independence would be enormous.

I'm aware the GM ran into issues with pure electric cars a few years ago, regarding range etc. but the range issue disappears if the driver still has the gasoline motor option. The key benefit is not to try and force the technology to be something it can't be i.e. a long range one energy solution for highway driving but to look at how patterns of driving can be optimized.

As a side note, combining plug in hybrids with switching off cylinders in city traffic or while idling would futher increase the efficiency.

When I spoke with Ford about plug in hybrids, they mentioned that consumers didn't want plug in cars. I think most consumers are becoming familiar enough with the technology of hybrids today to see that a plug-in version would just be an extension of that technology.

The only thing more important than quality is design, in my opinion. That is because, if the customer doesn't like the design of the vehicle, he will never get to know its quality, because he will walk away from it. Years ago GM knew the importance of design, but they some how forgot their own history! Their own people, like Ron Zarella, convinced them that cars are just commodities. With that point of view, the only thing that differentiates like-products is price and that is what led to the huge incentives. And GM is paying the price right now for products which can't be differentiated from their peers. GM must get more product to market faster. In 2006, Toyota is going to hit them hard with tons of new product. I have read that GM can get a new product to market in 36 months. From the length of time it took to get the Chevy SSR to market, which was DOA, I don't think 36 months is accurate. GM does not need more products like the ill-fated SSR.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I'm pleased with the way direction Cadillac is headed as a producer of innovative, stylish, world-class automobiles. Each new product reaffirms my decision to "buy American" and own a Cadillac. My latest car replaced a 2004 ETC Collector's Series model, which I greatly enjoyed.

As a proud owner of a Platinum 2004 CTS-V, I offer my sincerest kudos for a job well-done. I love everything about the car with two exceptions: 1) Exceesive wheel hop; 2)Lack of a trunk lid that raises to the fully open position when the key fob is depressed. --A real inconvenience when returning to the car with bags in each hand, especially if its raining.

Thanks for taking a moment to read my letter. I look forward to many enjoyable memories in this vehicle.

All the best,

CC Clarke

This is for Bob Lutz. It's the gist of a thread I started on Autoweek.com.

I'm throwing this challenge out to any or all automakers. We want somebody to build us a:

GREAT BASIC DRIVER'S CAR:

The prerequisites are:

1) Powerful 4-cyl engine (160 hp or greater)
2) Rear wheel drive
3) 4-seater
4) 3-box design (conventional trunk)

In fact, we already have 4 cars with suitable platforms with the necessary hardware in place to "Git-R-Done":

Saturn Sky
Pontiac Solstice
Honda S-2000
Mazda Miata

Remember the late great Sentra SE-R? When it came out, it was heralded as a spiritual successor to the BMW 2002. Well, one of these 4 automakers could do the same thing. Take any one of these very capable platforms and slip it under a practical 2-door sedan body. They all would be easy for us home-grown mechanics to work on - how tough would it be to change the spark plugs, oil, air filter, etc., on a front-engine RWD sedan?

They'd have plenty of room for us to get us through our everyday chores, offer reasonable gas mileage, and because of their design, probably give us a fuel tank with more than adequate capacity. They would be comfortable to live with everyday, with a decent ride. The room would also be there for us to use the car as a weekend getaway vehicle, or to take on a long trip. This would be an excellent and less costly alternative to the Evo or WRX; I don't need to drive a 4-wheeled hand grenade every day.

The powertrain would provide us with an entertaining ride on the twisties; they would also make excellent SCCA weekend racers. And since they wouldn't be seen as pure sports cars by the insurance companies, insurance would probably be reasonable.

And, because it's a simple car, it'll be simple to modify. So if we want to install our own stereos, Recaro seats, whatever, all we need is a socket set.

I'd even be happy with a manual sliding steel sunroof instead of a power moonroof, to save complexity and weight. And for Gawd's sake, keep an automatic transmission off of the options list!

There is no reason this cannot be done, and this car could be brought to market for less than $20K. And I would personally be thrilled to see this come out with an American nameplate (Pontiac Tempest? Saturn Calypso or Hyperion?)

Please make this happen!

To: Bob Lutz
1st MAW fighter pilot & Rumi driver.
From: Iwakuni Triumph driver.
Congrats on your excellent Blog. As ever, you never cease to amaze us.
Aloha, Bryce A. Carr,
Hilo, HI

Bob, Sorry to say a co worker sent this e-mail to me; my thought are alos included (I own a 2001 SS SLP Camaro)

"I have a soft spot for GM because my first car was a '66 Chevy Malibu. They could have, and should have, made the GTO look mean instead of like a blob of nothing. What a major mistake (another mistake). Recently, they added fake hood scoops in an effort to make it look racier. Too little - too late."
______________________________________________
From: Wall, James
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 9:33 AM
To: Okura, Russ
Subject: RE: Yellow goat

Pretty sad, huh?

You don’t have to wonder why general motors are bleeding red ink when they turn out stuff like that. The performance and handling are World class, 400 Horsepower, 0-60 in under 5 seconds, Independent front and rear suspension…These things are BMW M3 killers, and they almost hang with the new Corvette…but they look like another “Jelly Bean” car.

Here was one of the proposed body styles, I can’t believe they didn’t produce this:

_____________________________________________
From: Okura, Russ
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 8:52 AM
To: Wall, James
Subject: Yellow goat

I saw a car yesterday that I thought was an old Chevy Cavalier. I thought to myself, "That Cavalier is in pretty good shape for it's age". Then I saw the badge. It was a new GTO.

Dear Mr. Lutz:

Please say it ain't so. It's all a bad dream. A joke. I just saw the artists conception of the 2008 Pontiac GTO in the August 8, 2005 issue of Autoweek.

Gimicky, ugly, hideous, ill portioned, a face only a mother could love and a thousands other adjectives for same.

You hear from thousands of customers that the current GTO styling is a bit boring and receive unamimous praise for the recent Ram Air IV one off and then the best your people can come up with this retro Sunbird, bad copy of a squared off chunky Mustang wantabe? It doesn't say 60's. It says 70's, the worse era in American automobiles. Amazing. GM styling is beyond hope.

My father, a 30 year GM employee was right when he said "the only thing that will save GM is 200 well placed funerals". The death and dying needs to start in the styling department.

Mr Lutz, I am a 33 yr old single male with a ok job, i don't make a fortune but Im happy. I have a mortgage and insurance on 2 pontiacs.. One is a 96 Grand Am with 160,000 miles,my work car. My baby is a highly modified 89 formula 350( a lot more cubes) with 230,000 miles.. I am working on restoring the car I drove in high school (a 70 formula)...
I guess my point is i want a new car but cannot AFFORD one. The car payment would be more than my house payment!! not to mention the ins !?!?!?!
Build me a 2008 Formula 6 speed for around 20,000!!
things I DO NOT WANT OR NEED STANDARD ..
ABS worthless
AIR BAGS worthless
I HATE NADER AND TREE HUGERS...nuff said
SOUND DEADNER ,seamsealer, rust proofing Y???
A/C Waste of my time.
I don't want power seats power locks,windows hatch or even power steering..
Any extra plastic junk.
Don't really need a console cup holders , extra cig lighters or driving lights either ..
Things i do want
450 HP LS2
a 6 speed
a 12 bolt rear
a nice set of 5 spoke 17" wheels like the last WS6s had
Seat belts
some leg room for driver and pass ..
TTOPS
windshield wipers
Basic AM FM radio
some style (69 T/A?)
no frils
I want a basic car that could be fully optioned if someone else wanted..
the last F cars were almost all fully loaded and way over priced.

Did i say i want it in a Black Firebird FORMULA

End of my rant
Tony

Dear Mr. Lutz: The ongoing selloff by the "big 3" has succeeded in driving the value of my 2002 Chevy Silverado LS extended cab PU to a value of 1/3 its list price after 25,000 miles and not quite 3 years. A Hyundai dealer offered this much as a trade-in amount first and then my Chevy dealer matched that trade-in offer from the Korean car dealer on the next day. That was after buying 2 new Chevy trucks in the past 4 years. Brand/dealer loyalty you say? So, your business policies are set to destroy the value of Chevy trucks in a short time. Chevy trucks used to hold their value pretty well compared to cars made by the "big 3". Our other car was an 02 Toyota Solara convertible, which we traded for the redesigned 05 Solara version one year ago. The experience was vastly different than what I experienced trying to trade Chevy truck for Chevy truck. Thus, I will sell my Silverado pickup for what it will bring on the market and make our second car another Toyota. I am 64 years old and a semi-retired shade tree mechanic who still likes cars and can now afford them as well. It is my expectation to live long enough to observe Toyota becoming the number one car manufacturer in the USA and world-wide. It is likely to take only another decade or so unless you and others in the "little 3" make some significant changes in your business plans.

I don't own GM cars anymore and I'm not surprised GM is loosing market share. You are your own worst enemy. You were at the top of the world as a car maker and rested on your laurels. America went through a gas crisis several years ago, remember in the late 70’s and 80’s. Also similar enough the same time America started building crappy cars. You allowed Toyota, Honda, etc. to take a foot hold in the car market, they built quality affordable fuel efficient cars.

You repeated history. Again we face high fuel cost, and again the overseas auto makers come to market with fuel efficient hybrids and were is GM?

Why do I care, because at one time GM was an American icon? It was right up there with baseball and homemade apple pie.

You guys need to get your act together, your body styles are poor, your quality is starting to slip, and fuel efficiently sucks. We can put a man on the moon, float a hotel in space, but we can’t have a reliable fuel efficient automobile. This is America the greatest smartest country in the world. We can do if GM board put’s their mind to it. For once be a leader and mandate it within your company.

For you Union workers: Take note you are not helping the situation yourself. Your productivity sucks, and your benefits are way out of line. Start letting the dead non-productive people go. Your health care benefits are part of the reason American cars cost so much. Because of Union rules plants are over staffed and employees are not held accountable. You say you can build a better car then BMW, Mercedes, VW, Toyota, Honda or Nissan, Then prove it.

Here is a tip, take all the SUV’s you are trying to sell us and market them in the middle east where they only pay 5 cents a gallon and read this book or listen to the tapes.
The Toyota Way : What Toyota Can Teach Any Business About High Quality, Efficience, and Speed
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932378707/qid=1125145666/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/104-1338982-6500700?v=glance&s=books

Mr Lutz,

I own one GM car, a 2003 Corvette Z06, and it's an amazing car. It is easily a match for far more expensive cars, gets comparable mileage to cars with much less power, and I love it to death. From this we know that GM *can* make great cars, if it tries :)

I think that GM should produce a car to compete with the AWD Subaru Imprezza and Outback models. There are plenty of AWD SUVs and trucks on the market, but many of us who need AWD do not want an SUV. Right now, the only reasonably priced choice for us is Subaru. (Audi etc are expensive!)

I'd like to see GM produce a small AWD 4cyl car, perhaps 150 HP and ~ 3100 lbs in the base model, in the low $20's. Maybe higher end turbo or 6cyl models could hit $30K, but an affordable low end one is important. It should handle well, not boat-like, and be available in a wagon version. There is a large market for such cars where I live (the rocky mnts) due to weather conditions in the winter. Bonus points if the AWD can be engaged only when it's needed so it doesn't hurt fuel economy all the time. More bonus points if there's a hybrid version.

I would buy such a car if it was reliable and performed similar to its competitors.

Mr Lutz,
With this labor day weekend now concluded, I must say I am very disappointed with the Chevy dealerships in the Dayton OH area. A lengthy holiday weekend, save for a single dealership, they were all closed. How does GM expect to make sales if they are not open? Your competition can make an effort to be open! By the way, is it so hard for dealerships to "display" new products like the HHR in an area where the public can view them. I mention this since one of the closed dealerships had an HHR on their lot, but behind a chain link fence leaving it just barely visible. I like the new products you guys are now coming out with. But decisions that your dealerships are making, sure dont make me happy. You can add 20 other people that I encountered on Monday to that list as well.

Mr Lutz
I'm a very faithful GM fan. I own a 1998 chevy cavalier that has over 200k miles and still takes me where ever i need to go. There's just one thing that really disapointed me and well a whole lot more fans. Please take some time to find out for your self. BRING BACK THE F-BODY http://www.gtosource.com/savefbody/frames.html

Dear Sir:

I truly value what you're doing for GM and thus the USofA. However, it's all going to h**l in a handbasket unless the UAW anchor is lifted from around GM's neck.

I only have 2 reequests:
1. build a silky, smooth, fuel-sipping 4 cylinder like Toyota and Honda.
2. kill a few brands + their marketing overhead. no one should have to figure out the diff. btwn a Solstice and Sky.

Thank you & keep fighting the good fight.

-NN

Mr. Lutz,

GM is in a severe identity crisis. If you read this message, please realize that GM is out of touch with today's youth.

1. Lose the chrome. The G6 looks great, but we hate the chrome. Chrome wheels, chrome, chrome, chrome. Give me the option for aliminum wheels on the G6.

2. Choice - Offer Sirius satellite radio in addition to XM.

3. Rethink product names. The Malibu brings to mind a 1982 tank. I am 30 years old. Bad names: Malibu, Caprice, Bonneville (anything with ville in the name)

4. Push Rod engines - go with new sohc or dohc designs

5. Offer manual transmissions on models (not everyone loves automatics) and offer 5 speed automatics, not 4 speed automatics

6. Soften the Cadillac line. Please see the Audi models. Cadillac = excessive Chrome.

7. GM needs a new model name. Cheverolet brings to mind country bumpkins (chevy, etc). Buick is in need of an image overhaul (brings thoughts of senior citizens). Pontiac has a several problem with - too much plastic on the body and the front ends look awful (see the grand prix). Saturn is pretty much a goner.

Like the Scion brand of Toyota, GM needs a brand that is in touch with today's youth (market below 40 yrs). Offer - no chrome!, 5 and 6 speed manuals, turbocharged or multivalve high response engines, sunroofs, Sirius radio in addition to XM, decent bucket seats (see the Audi seats), standard spoilers (not the tricked out oversize unattractive spoilers on the cobalt ss - we dont live in "The fast and the furious"). The Audi A3/A4 is a perfect example of what GM should strive for. The Scion tc is also excellent. Additionally, the center mounted dashboards are tacky - lose them. Who ever thought of center mounted dashes, even though they save money, should be repremanded (think Toyota Echo).

Americans love BMWs, Audis, Toyotas, and Infinitys. Give Americans what they want - European Styling, options, and choice. How many production BMWs are running down the road with factory installed chrome wheels?

Mr. Lutz
I am sure that you believe that your company is going in the right direction. I am only an Aviation Safety Inspector, with no knowledge of automobile manufacturing! And as much as I personally dislike the word BUT I have to use it.
But in my (younger) lifetime I was forced to buy for convience! I could not afford much, so I purchased used vehicles.
That is the reason for this letter!I have owned two vehicles that were produced years ago.Vehicles that met my finacial needs,and still met my trasportation requirements.
The first requiremnt was reliable transportation, the second was good milage. The two vehicles I refer to are The Simca, and a Voxaull(not sure of the spelling). It would seem to me, both of these cars would be the perfect SECOND affordable vehicle for a family of today.
I realize your production is directed to the larger car! but maybe, just maybe a market is there that would meet the requirements of; Newly married couples, students, business travelers! and that of a second family car, which many homes can not afford today.
I realize your corporation spends a lot of money on demographics, but maybe this is a market overlooked, and the production of a size model that provided comfort, style, and above all moderate fuel consumption!
Thank you for taking the time to read this message! Although I am sure public opinion never effects change!

I have a 2004 GTO. I thank Mr. Lutz for bringing this vehicle to us. Get past the name and realize the car that it is! He's a man with taste.

Mr Lutz, I just finished viewing the new camaro concept vehicle, sign me up. I have been a GM fan all my life, and I can't wait for you to build this one it is a home run! I think the pony car revival is a hit, GM needs this one in the market. Looking forward to buying one of the new camaro's!

Mr. Lutz,

You probably do not remember me but I worked with you under Bob Eaton at Chrysler Corp when you were the President. I wanted to wish you an upcoming Happy Birthday and knowing that you are on board with GM; I know that GM will be turned around and show profitability once again. You did wonders at Chrysler Corporation when I was there and I know that you still have some magic let to do the same at GM. You gave me inspiration and the leadership skill to start a profitable corporation seven years ago with GM, Ford and Chrysler. I am thankful and god bless you and your family

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I am a Patriot rather than a customer of GM. It’s time for a turn around! I’d like to see GM succeed. The last GM car I personally bought was a 1966 F85 Body Olds 442 with a Hurst Shifter and a Bench Seat. It was red with a white top – very nice.

I live in California where everyone has a car. Why doesn’t GM have a design studio here like Toyota/Lexus, BMW, and Volkswagen/Audi? It seems like you guys are out of touch with the Market? Here, we want cars that look good, handle well, and are reliable. We are picky. In California, everyone talks about what they have and why they bought it.

It seems like the key problem for GM is Design. Across your entire auto product line, the front of your vehicles look like Parrots - everyone has a beak. The secret name for GM here is “Parrotmobile.” Does someone in GM - Design like birds? All the Cadillacs and even the new Camero has one? I sure hope the guys who designed and the guys who approved the Pontiac Aztek are gone?

Many of your cars still have materials with the tactile feeling of children’s toys (read hard plastic and vinyl) in the passenger compartment. Has anyone ever really looked at a Toyota Camry or a BMW 325?

At MB/Chrysler, you almost got it right. The Chrysler 300 is precise on the road, looks reasonably good from the outside – from the back it looks like a new Bentley – and it has a distinctive design. Unfortunately, even there, the interior is still a little tacky around the dash and steering wheel, with poorly selected (read cheap feeling hard plastic) materials. How about some of the same or even better magic at GM?

It’s too bad that gas prices are so high and people are thinking about passenger cars again. Your GMC and Chevy trucks are much better than your car line. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Avalanche is seriously ugly! Also, while on this subject, the front of all Chevy trucks could definitely do with a tweak. The problem is the silver line from the Chevy Symbol to the sides of the vehicle - it breaks up the look. Every car and truck has a face. My recommendation, skip the silver French pencil mustache.

I sure hope you can do something. Attractive products, good materials, careful assembly, and focused after sale support and feedback are the keys but Design is the beginning of a turn around.

Good luck,
John Riddle

Mr. Lutz,
I am a 4th year student at Saint Louis University and I want to work in the automotive industry. You're work is very fascinating, and I would like some advice as to how I could get involved in this exciting business.
Thank You,
Eric Fultz

If your son attended the University of Alabama in Fall of 1991, he helped me move into my apartment. He noticed my '71 Challenger and gave me your office number in the event I ever had any problems with my car(s). The other one was a LHS. I have always wanted to know what became of your son. He was a business major, and a very hard worker. I kept the number for years, it burned up in my house about 5 years ago. As you know, I never called the number, so I don't know if it really was your son or your office number. I am curious about whether it really was your number and what happened to the young man that I so very much appreciated his help.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

At present, I owe a 2002 Blazer 2 dr 4x4 and this is my 4th one. The middle two where leased, both 4 door models and used by my wife for her company.

Her company then proceeded to lease fleet cars, through GE Leasing (majority GM vechiles)in 2002. After test driving all the cars, picked the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, with the 3.8 litre engine. Although there are a few minor issues on the design of the interior and exterior, we were very satisfied with the Bonneville. It had the looks, comfort, was mechanically sound and for a large car, was very economical on fuel. Example, business trip with two people and luggage, travelling from Toronto, Ontario to Sherbrooke, Quebec,Canada,(720km) used one tank of gas, cruising at an average speed of 115 km/hr.

Unfortunaley, the lease has expired, and to our dismay, Pontiac has dropped the Bonneyville. The only GM car that was compatible was the Buick Lucerne, but was not on the fleet list (I found that this car was to much of a old mans or retirement car). The Bonneyville had that European look and feel.
(close to BMW's)

We looked and test drove the larger GM cars, as the Chevy Impala, Buick Allure, Chevy Equinox and the Pontiac Grand Prix. Although the outside design was favourable, the interiors, as per our tastes, was a let done. The material had that plastic feel and very cold. The seats, both front and especially the rear, felt like we were seating on plywood. This is very true for the back seats, backrest (Pontiac Grand Prix was the worst, Chevy Equinox second). Also, the interior rear in all the cars tested, very little leg room. The Buick Allure was the best overall.

In conclusion, the new generation of GM cars we tested, did not meet our expectations. Must mentioned that my wife and I have always owned GM cars, as well as our parents.

Thus we had picked the FORD 500 LTD with AWD and CVT transmission. I have never been a fan of FORD, but I was very impressed with the FORD 500. The interior was excellent, in the amount of room and the materials used. The 500 had that European drive I was looking for. The way the controls were set up (very similiar to the Bonneyville), the seating, overall visiblity, all excellent (would like see more gauges,informing conditions at any time). The front grille design could be redesigned a bit more aggresively, but car design must appeal to a larger segment of the population.

In conclusion, we find that GM cars are falling behind in all aspects of car design and component realibility compared to the other manufacturers.

My other question to you is, will GM be producing a 2 or 4 door 4x4 model (with frame chassis) of the Canyon or Colorado? There seems that all car companies either have a small or large SUV's but not in between as the S-10 Blazer.

Zen Pozniak, Ind. Eng.

Dear sir, I am 55 years old and have owned everything from a 65 mustang to olds wagon and everything in between. I recently boutght a chev malibu and I am very impressed! I never see any ads for this vehicle. I think it is understated and rated in the market. readh the comments on edmonds and you will see. I highly recomend GM advertise this jewel and also some downward price adjustments for competetive reasons. this is really a great car.
Thank You

GM have a good position at the moment to start build new fuel efficient cars. Look at fuel prices –they keep changing and energy reserves keep decreasing, efficient methods of energy conversion and utilization should be used .All new designs are really going to cut pollution. And all the car giants will have to start use alternative engines The government departments will have to start investing into this researches. If overall energy utilization at the national level has the priority, driving a heat pump by an electric motor is not the best method, due to the inefficient conversion of fossil fuel into electricity at the power station. Therefore, engine-driven heat pumps have been preferred using gas engines, diesel engines or gas turbines. The output of the heat pump is expected to be about 65% higher than electrically driven systems, based on the same amount of fuel used. The advantages of these systems are mainly due to local generation of shaft power and providing engine heat that can be usefully employed , by recovering part of the waste energy of the gases and engine coolant. Such systems can operate continuously in comparison with solar systems.. Primary energy was found to be saved by about 50% when using engine-driven heat pumps. The superiority of the gas turbine system was quite clear. This would be a kind of alternative to fuel or diesel engines on strong point of CO2 emission and global warming ,don’t you think? All that and some more I have pointed in my dissertation for Thermodynamic analysis of exhaust gas .In case some one interested or may need information for your researches ,you may look in here (http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/sprtengi3.htm)

Dear Mr Lutz,

I am 55 years old and I have been retired from the GM Fairfax Plant for 4 years. Just wanted you to know of my true blue relationship with GM and Chevy trucks. At present, I own a 1984 Chevy C-20 pickup with 346k miles on it, all put on by me and it still is running very well. I orderdd it brand new in the fall of 1983. I changed an engine in it, but all the rest of the truck is OE! I also own a 1993 Chevy Suburban with over 200k on it. It is going very well too! Just thought you would like to know this. When I reach 500k miles on the pickup, I plan to drive to Detroit and park in front of the GM building and ask to meet you personally to come down and see it.

Sincerely yours,

A.William Anderson
Platte City Missouri

Bob,

I have owned GM cars from every divison since I started driving 1977. I liked the idea of the new GTO, but not the look... Another Grand Prix Grand Am look a like was not the ticket. A 1970 1971 retro this would have been great as long as Wagner had nothing to do with adjusting the look. He is out of touch with the car owners wants. The possible up and coming Camaro looking like a 69 would have been better before his adjustments also. I agree that GM is falling behind instead of leading your trailing. This is bad why not make a retro 70 Chevelle of a 1987 Grand National. People do not seem to realize now that Toyota is making more cars it is now having growing pains.. Look at who is recalling millions.
My children tell me how their friends say Japan builds the best of everything. Made in America only means something to those people who have been around for awhile, but to see WW II aged people driving Jap cars is a slap in the face. Their is no American pride in them either. You can't tell me when the going gets tough the tough buy Japanese. My dad always ask me when I was screwing up if I needed to take a chance on a tractor and I would say for what?
His reply" To pull your head out of your A@*! I think it is time for GM to take a chance on a tractor. Pull Wagners head from his can and start turning the company around and produce some great cars.. Think 60s and early 70s... The new Z06 corvette what a car. One more item why is GM not on the web site madeinamerica.com ??????

Mr. Lutz:

I just bought a 2006 Saab 93 Aero with the automatic (for my wife). We are very pleased with the car. I am glad to see that Saab is on the right track. It is fast, tight and a pleasure to drive. Our dealer, Gary Blake Saab in Exeter NH was great. Our Sales man was professional, friendly and sincere. We have no gripes with the car; I sold Saabs in 1996 which was not a great time to be involved with Saab as the quality was less than desired, and I am so happy to see the brand hit the mark with this car.

When compared to the BMW 3 series, The Audi A4 and the offerings burning rice the choice was very simple for us. As long as you keep building cars like the 93 Aero we will continue to buy them.

Thank you for getting this brand on track.

Tucker D. Lindquist

Mr. Lutz,

My wife and I just bought a 2006 Saab 93 Aero from Gary Blake Saab in Exeter, NH and I would like to tell you that we are very pleased with the car and our dealership experience.

I am a full blown car nut and have owned a couple of Saab’s (1986 SPG, 1985 Turbo). In 1995 and 1996 I was selling Saab’s for Herb Chambers in Boston which was not a great time to be selling Saabs. When I was a kid I grew up driving my friend Jim Mullen’s collection and while working for Mr. Chambers I was fortunate to drive his personal collection. I am letting you know this because when I rant and rave about a new car it is with the seat time of some very special cars that I can not yet afford but have been trusted to exercise.

Our Saab is terrific. It is fast for its class. It is competent and has great road manners. I think it is handsome when compared to its competition and a great little car. It is refreshing to me that this car brings the brand back to its roots. I am not a full blown Saab geek, however I enjoy driving a car with a renewed heritage that many feared was lost when GM took over the brand.

The 93 Aero in my opinion is full of personality and fun. It is not generic. It is different and not just because the key is in a strange place. My favorite cars are “sleepers” and this car fits the bill. Its beauty lies in its subtle approach. It is not a boy racer, rather it looks and plays the part of a mature sedan with a kind of ‘punk’ attitude. My wife, who is not at all a car person, describes it as a rocket ship. I love that.

So many cars seem lost when trying to establish their personality. This is not the case with the Aero. I do not understand why the automotive media has not yet picked this car up on their radar. Thank you for getting Saab on track.

Respectfully and with Great Admiration,

Tucker D. Lindquist
Kittery, Maine

Mr. Lutz,
I've just read that GM is considering bringing the new Holden Commodore VSS into the US as a Pontiac. This is one of the best styled and up to date (safety, etc.) performance cars of its type to come along in years.

I stongly urge you/GM to bring this car to the US. Also please make some of the two-tone interiors available as they are in Australia.

I for one would be very interested in purchasing this vehicle in 2008.

Mr. Lutz,

My wife and I love our 2006 Saab 93 Aero. Why do we have buttons on the dash and steering wheel for hands free cellular however our dealer claims this service is unavailable? This is a source of frustration.

Thank You,

Tucker

Bob Lutz mentioned in an article on cnn.com that GM needed new Hummer Products to give it sufficient market coverage. I have an idea, but when going to http://www.gm.com/automotive/innovations/new_devices it states Ideas and suggestions that can not be patented and those concerning such things as the following will not be considered: styling of products. This is part of my idea, and I would like to submit it, any ideas how I can?

Bob,

Please bring back the SATURN SL1 (with updates). This car maybe outdated but the simple SL1 idea was a great one...and owning two of them over a decade I was very unhappy to see it replaced with a mediocre ION. The cheapness in this card, its motor, and interior (center console)..made my old SL1 look superior. Toyota will always have a corolla in their dealerships regardless or profit margin or oil fluctuations..so why not bring back the SL1 that is basic but not cheap. Most people like me will not pay the higher price for the AURA vs. a cheaper toyota corolla with a better motor and reputation.

I recently did a"pull ahead" on my 2003 CTS for a 2006 STS4. I cannot express my dismay with the lack of comfort while driving. I have this car for 27 months and I do not know what I will do.I have sat on more comfortable seats in a stadium. After an hour driving in that car it takes me two hours to just relieve my back pain. I have tried all the recommendations for seat adjustments ,pads etc but doesn't seem to help.I have never had such a problem in any of the cars I have driven. I AM LEASING 4 GM CARS AT THIS TIME FOR MY FAMILY AND NO ONE EVEN WANTS TO DRIVE THIS CAR.

It is sad to see Mr. Lutz continue to fight against the increase in CAFE standards. The last century is littered with giant companies that were completely unable to see paradigm shifts that permanently affecting its industry. The United State national security is at risk due to our dependence on oil from the most volatile regions in the world and when the US is at risk, major changes occur. You will find little sympathy from the average American who watches you close plants and lay-off workers while Toyota and Honda build new plants and hire workers. GM needs fresh ideas and you keep singing the same old song.

Dear Mr. Lutz:

I was watching your interview on CBS Sunday Morning television show. What GM along with the other American auto makers can't seem to understand, is that American consumers are tired of spending their hard earned dollars on automobiles that are cheaply made and unreliable. You may think that GM is catching up on quality, but you are mistaken. Consumers want value for their dollars, not a flashy car that has to go to the shop all the time.

Bob,
Keep up the great work.
With your help, GM can
turn this around.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

My wife and I bought a GMC Envoy in 2002 with the I-6 motor and absolutely love the SUV. We want to buy a 2008 or future Envoy but want one with the GM 6L80 automatic transmission. Please, please make it available with the I-6 and we will buy one! The Acadia offers the six speed automatic but does not offer rear wheel drive. The I-6 is a fabulous motor and with the 6L80 it's an outstanding combination. Thank you for considering this. With admiration and respect.

Bob,
I really don't think the message is getting thru to the general public with regards to the turnaround of General Motors. The people here in Indianapolis that I've talked with (Joe Public) don't really seem to care what GM is doing. Some even get upset even talking about the GM turnaround. Young people today look back at the old name plates on GM cars and remember .... oh that's the model my granddad drove years ago. I don't want an old man's car. GM's small cars have to run on a half a quart of motor oil without blowing up as Toyota small cars do. I had a young guy tell me that you can abuse a Toyota and they keep on running. Years ago Toyota took alot of interest in building small cars. At a time when GM had the Vega. Let's face it Vega was a bomb. Alot of GM's small cars were bombs. Back in the early 90's I jumped on the GMC bandwagon.... I still do. I just bought a 2007 model. Great Truck !!! During these years I saw the GM car models slipping away. In 1999 I had to get a loaner car from my Chevy dealer. I drove a new Malibu. I was shocked !!!! My feeling for the car was cheap, cheap, cheap. I had been out of the car market for nine years and I couldn't believe the direction the car had taken. The 08 Camero should have been a 07.... A little slow Bob. I won't be a General Motors employee much longer as my plant is on sale block.... Allison Transmission. I don't think Detroit realizes how much the Allison personal are pro GM. More so than any other GM location. We worked hard to get Allison's were it's at today. Someday Bob GM will have to draw a line in the sand and stop cutting arms and legs off. Good luck Bob.....

Dear Mr. Lutz
I am a retiree from GM/Delphi. I am driving a Freightliner Sprinter van in a delivery business. I wanted to buy a Chevy or GMC to help the pension check. But they are too small. I have seen the Opel Movano online. I would sure like to give my money to GM instead of DimelerCrysler. Any chance of importing the Movano into the US. I think there would be a market.

Mr. Lutz,
Just saw you on Fox News, you were constantly being asked "what's the deal, why is GM not performing like foreign cars", you claimed it was bad press. Perhaps to a small degree, that is correct. Let me share with you my conversations with other in my age group, age 44. We grew up with GM, Ford and Dodge muscle cars, my Olds Cutlass, with over 150,000 miles never failed me.
However, we saw all that change in the 80's and early 90's and during this time all American automakers put out, let's say it, crap. This is the reason we the buying public have steered away from American Automakers. Moreover than bad press, if what you claim that American made cars are of high quality and will last over 100,000 miles like my Toyota's have, then I believe the American automakers need to do some heavy duty marketing and advertising asking the American public to trust your product and that American prided and workmanship is back.
This may mean that you need to one up your competition and stand by your product with better and longer warranty’s, until there is a trust that your products are every bit as good.
The bottom line, with me and many others I have talked with is after the 80's and 90's there is a lack of trust in your product.
I for one would love to come back to American made autos but don't want to risk the high cost of buying a car only to find they won't last as long as my Toyota.

Mr. Lutz,
Just want to let you know that Chevrolet is out of touch with it pickup truck owners. Let me explain. My father-in-law has been a Chevy man for 50 plus years, buying a new pick up every 10-12 years. His last new purchase was a 1992 C3500 Extended Cab Long Box with a 350 and a 5 speed manual transmission. It now has about 300,000 miles on it and he went shopping for a new Chevy pickup last week, however the local dealer could not sell him one. You see, he wants a manual transmission, but you don’t sell any 2007 C3500 pickups trucks with manual transmissions. So he goes to the Dodge dealer, same thing, no manual transmission. Now, myself, I prefer Ford pickups, so I go to Ford and guess what, that new 2008 F350 SuperDuty has killer looks with a MANUAL transmission. Now I just have to convert a diehard Chevy man to the big Blue Oval.

If Dale Earnhardt, Jr or Tony Stewart or Kevin Harvick or Jeff Gordan or Kyle Bush or Jimmy Johnson or Jeff Burton or any of the top 15 Chevy NASCAR drivers came up to you and said, Bob, I am looking for a pickup with a MANUAL transmission, you guys’ would have it parked in their driveway over night.

Auto manufactures needs to understand, not everyone wants an automatic transmission. Would the Z06 be the hit it is if it only came with an automatic? I don’t think so. I really don’t care for the Automatic in my 1995 Indy Pace Car Corvette but I really like the Car and the LT1. I really like the Super T-10 4 speed manual transmission in my 1978 Indy Pace Car Corvette and my 1979 Tenth Anniversary Trans Am and the ZF 6 speed manual transmission in my 2002 Ford F350 CC SuperDuty!

Who cares that market research shows 97% of the people prefer automatics. You need to look out for the 3% that want to shift themselves; the rest of the people will take what is on the lot.

Sincerely,
Greg Hoyer

Dear Sir:

I had occasion to rent a new G6 from Budget the other
day over a two day period and was tremendously
impressed by this very fine car.
The one thing that was bad about the car was the
steering wheel which had a very cheap feel about it.
The most intimate part of a car a driver feels is the
steering wheel and I hope you don't mind me saying to
you that if you change the wheel or wrap a tailored
leather cover around it, your sales will boom. As it
is the feel is so cheap that I thought my 1991 Alfa
164 felt better overall than the G6 until I realised
that it was the steering wheel that was letting the
car down.
I congratulate you on a fine addition to the Pontiac
family, my own family has owned Pontiacs from a
Bonneville 1950s, in Sri Lanka and in 1970s Africa,
where a desperately adored Grand Prix, will never fade
from my mind. It used to fishtail when automatically
changing from 1st to 2nd! Delightful car.
I wish more Americans would realise how really good
American cars are again and have been for more than 10
years.

Feizal Mansoor
Sri Lanka
currently visiting the US.

Mr. Lutz,

First let me congratulate you on the vision you've displayed in the Chevy Volt concept vehicle. I think that the time is right for the introduction of electric cars that not only put this country on the road to energy independence, but also start to address the global warming issue head on!

As a frame of reference, I have owned GM vehicles for over 35 years now, including high performance vehicles from the 60's ('67 SS396 Chevelle, '69 Z-28 and many more).

I would encourage you to research the following vehicles thoroughly before finalizing the engineering on the Volt and other Electric Vehicles to allow GM to get the best possible option to us.

The Tesla electric sportscar has been getting some great press and has acheived a level of performance unheard of in electric vehicles before, at an operating cost that is unbelievable. They have been able to achieve the equivalent to .01 per mile (or approx. 135+ miles per gallon at current prices)while achieving a 0-60 time of 4 seconds(that's that I'm talkin about)!!!

The second vehicle is the ZAP-X...http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4560.....this is similar in performance and operating cost to the Tesla but in a different Crossover configuration. The beauty of the ZAP-X is that you can recharge in 10 minutes, thus eliminating the need for multi-fuel backup powerplant (or using it as the recharging station while on the road).

I think that from an engineering and technology perpective, that these vehicles represent the future of electric cars. Imagine being able to able to go back to the equivalent of .30 cents per gallon of gas...imagine the decrease in greenhouse gasses...imagine the increase in discretionary income and the postive effect that would have on our economy. I know you HAVE imagined all of these things and are implemeting your vision for them.

Now, the old gearhad in me still likes the rumble of the GTO exhaust, but the performance of these new electric vehicles can approach and even surpass the old "Glory Days" of the muscle car!!

I know that you, and the brilliant engineers at GM stay abreast of all the news related to these new developments...I just wanted to express my enthusiasm for GM's direction related to the Volt as well as my opinion on newer developments that should be considered before taking the Volt and other Electric cars into production. I think by utilizing some of these newer technolgies on the Skateboard platform, you can revolutionize the way we buy, customize and drive our vehicles.

Thank you for providing the forum in which to get these thoughts out to you.

Regards,
Ken

Mr. Lutz,

I have owned a '98 jeep wrangler (love it) but have upgraded to a '06 Pontiac G6 coupe. I have enjoyed this car up until I wrecked it on Valentine's Day, someone t-boned me in the mall parking lot. That's not where the problem comes in. It has been in the shop ever since. It has been through 3 QUARTER PANELS for the passenger side. NONE of them fit. I'm just concerned because I know it costs money to make those panels, but money and time is being wasted if it doesn't fit as a replacement. Please let me know what I should do next.

Just heard Bob on NPR's "Wait, Wait -- Don't Tell Me!" He expressed his desire to mass produce The Volt. I'm expressing my desire to purchase it. So what is Detroit waiting for? Wait, wait -- don't tell me.

Mr Lutz, First of all, I'd like to thank you for all you've done for the automobile industry. More importantly, the Zeta platform and the Chevelle. Has it been discussed behind closed doors as a possible re-release of the Chevelle.I say this because alot of the folks I talk to in the performance industry say "I wish GM would bring back the Chevelle". And the current GTO owners don't want to see that because the Chevelle outclassed them in 1966 with the mark IV BBC's. They don't want to see that happen again. But those of us Chevrolet fans would buy them up in a heartbeat because of the love and history of this model. You stated in Auto week recently that the Impala and Monte Carlo lines are going to be replaced. Can you say or hint at this time, as what new model,and what impact will it have on North American Motorsports such as NASCAR where the Monte Carlo is the longest winning model in the history of NASCAR, and the Impala has already won every COT NASCAR event this season.I'm not a big Camero fan, but I do thank GM for bringing back the Camero becuase of the love so many Americans have for it.
Kind Regards
Rocky

Dear Mr. Lutz:
In 1954, I was stationed in Casual Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina.

A friend of mine, whose name was Bob Lutz and was from Switzerland, was there at the same time. He was just out of boot camp and was a PFC.

Are you the same Bob Lutz?

Emil Roman

I read your article about debut the Volt car. The price is $30,000 to go 40 miles on a charge.Remember the 78 electric cars you people killed in 2003,Duh. It could have been your revival instead of your death.Try watching the movie who killed the electric car again and maybe you will get the point.

Mr Lutz.

You obviously have alot of experiemce in the automobile industry and its interesting you are a fellow aviator, and I hope you still share this passion. As a private pilot reliability is everything as your life may very well depend upon it. Well, purchasing a new car is similar. That is why some who have struggled financially during the earlier years, and the challenges of wrenching on your own is a requisite. Usually when the first opportunity arises to buy new one days. Well I recently bought a new 2007 Saturn Ion Quad in the color black, my favorite.Only to dicover in three weeks paint problems. Much to the credit of honoring the thirty day exchange I was given another one (at a cost to me) delivered July 13th, 2007.Of course I picked black because lighting could not stike twice!!Not so same problem. So what people want is simple, no problems. Now Saturn tells me the problem is the color, not the paint?

I will love GM till I die...I wonder who will go first, me or them. I'm only about 60 so I think I may outlast you. GM could have owned the car world..something went terribly wrong!

Wow, I thought GM was in trouble...not any more! Now I Know it is! I won't bore you with the many problems I have had with the last 4 new Chevy's we bought in the last 7 or 8 years. I have been very stubborn and refused to look at the truth, but after listening to some response video thing about GM car reliability by Bob Lutz, well you guys are doomed. I don't see any way out for GM at this point. Where did all the smart people go?

The Greatest loss Chrysler suffered was when Bob Lutz was Passed over in favor of Bob Eaton as Chief operating officer of Chrysler.
The GTO from Holden may have been a failer but Bob is passionate to bring greatness back to GM like the 1960`s. I`m a big 3 fan. My freedom I credit to the surviving American auto industry from the WWII days.RIP STudebaker Bantum Willys and others. Good Dealer service is what GM needs to focus on now. I wish Bob were 40 years younger so GM could have him longer

I want to thank Bob Lutz for his direction and insight at this most critical time for GM and the auto industry. His recent comments on Autoline Detroit announcing the dawn of the "electrification of the automobile" were most encouraging and exciting. As the son and grandson of GM employees I support his efforts and encourage others to do so as well.
My suggestion is to apply the eflex technology to a racing program to assist in the marketing much as Audi has done with the TDI R10 ALMS program. Thanks for listening.

Dear Bob Lutz, I have a few ideas for you.

Don't sell electric cars with battery packs; make the battery pack easy to change, like camara battery. Think of it as a 1300 lb vcr tape.

You pull the car up to a "pump", slide your credit card, battery pack is changed out in 60 seconds. The credit card is charged for the prorated life of the battery, ie: the price of battery pack divided by recharges. Lets say $6000/3000=$2 per charge + a fee for the charge $6. So for $8 you can drive 60 mile, that is $.13 per mile.

Next Idea.
Hydrogen cars, don't store the Hydrogen, make it on demand. Work on a more efficient electrolizer. With modern digital control and coils, water can be broken down fast enough to do this. Electrical pulses like a hammer drill can break apart the bonds easier than a constant voltage. It isn't the amperage which brake the bonds, it is the voltage. Try a million volts, not 12.
You can burn the hydrogen or Browns gas.

Idea three.
make the electric car. The electric can be from a battery pack, fuel cell or from a generator which is ran by a gas turbine. The turbine can be very small, the size of a turbocharger, it can be ran on the gas of choice, Hydrogen, o2, o1, Browns gas, methane, alkahol...

Idea four.
If you are in a political bind and need to use infrastructure, build a massive electrolizer which is water turbine driven. You would have the source of water and electricity. Can be by falling water, or better by, by the Gulf Stream, which is close, strong, and fast just off of the coast of South Florida.

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss in detail any of these ideas.

Doug Fleck

I live and work in Michigan, and therefore have always been a proponent of American made cars. It is sad for me to see us lose out to Asian and European competitors. My question has always been, why? Then I went into the local
Cadillac dealership and asked the salesperson what new technologies, including "green" initiatives that were roling out in '08 and she said nothing green, and that Cadillac customers are not interested in the social responsibility that comes with fuel economy or were willing to pay for new technologies that would produce less carbon, and I was left thinking "Why would GM invest in it's low cost platforms to introduce cutting edge innovation? Do I choose between a Saturn or a Chevy?

Mr. Lutz,

I just wanted to drop you a line (if you read this at all) regarding the 2008 Chevy Malibu. I currently own a 2000 Malibu LS, have almost 98000 miles on it, and think it's a great car. It's been worth every penny of the $16K I purchased it for brand new (the original sticker was a tick over $21K, and the epa estimates were 20/30). It has some quirks, but for the most part, I'd do it again in 2000...but not for 2008.

I'm very disappointed in the new '08 Malibu, in that the much talked about 4 cylinder / 6 speed combo will only come out in the top of the line LTZ model, and sometime in Spring of '08, most likely later than that. The EPA estimates are also simular to the 2000 V6...so there's no reason for me to spend X amt of dollars for a new car if I don't get better gas mileage.

Going by what the pricing website quoted, a LTZ starts at $24K. Unless there's something I don't see, the 4 cylinder version should be at least a grand less.

The also much hyped choices for interior only have outragous color choices for the LTZ. I just want the black charcoal ebony interior with silver trim that can be had on the LT1 and LT2 models.

It also seems like backpedaling on the original premise that there would be so many different combinations that could be had.

And offering a mild hybrid isn't going to cut it. This is the 21st century, and we need a car that gets about 40 MTG in the city, without sacrificing size or horsepower to get there. My 170 hp v-6 gets me where I need to go, and the 4 cylinder engines seem to be at the same levels of hp.

How will GM start winning over Customers who can get a more fuel efficient, better economic valued car when GM will still be higher priced? I really want to buy American, but unless there's something more reasonably priced for my family and I, we're going to have to look at other Foreign autos.

You've said that the Malibu is the car that will turn GM around. Lower the price and it will. Don't and it won't.

Mr. Lutz,

Please don't skip this comment. It's short. Electric cars like the Volt will need creative financing schemes to make them work. Just like with the EV1, please consider going to a lease model where a person can drive off the lot for something like $400 a month. Then the owner can see how much they're saving in gasoline per month more starkly. If they have to pony up 30 grand for a small car, you might not get enough early adopters because they won't see the advantages of cheap electricity against petroleum.

God bless you, sir... you're one of the best helmsmen for GM in years!

Ralph Taite

Hello Mr. Lutz,
One question...At the risk of sounding like Simon Cowell of American Idol:
Are you as tired of Losing ground to Toyota as I am of hearing about it ?

Not sure of any other way of making contact with you, so I will do it in your Blog.

If GM wants a great advantage over Toyota/Honda and others in the PHEV market, then I have the Concept that will do just that...and more.

It can be done quickly and relatively...let's just say, simply. Yet, it will have a tremendous impact.

Is there a better way of making contact with the proper persons who might want to hear what it is ?

I hope the best in the future for GM..."This is our Country" is not just a Ad Slogan.

Best Regards, B.S. LA, Ca.

Bob Lutz, I want to thank you for so clearly stating the truth about global warming and its peddlers-global warming is otherwise known to thinking people as the continued eb and flow of climate over ions of time.

Yes !! Bob. Global warming is a crock. You are my new hero. Keep telling it like it is, and don't let the lefties wear you down. If you keep this up, my next Ford will be a Chevy. Thanks for having the balls to stand up to those "s*** for brains" girly-men.

Hey Bob,
I just read where you said global warming is a "crock of ****". It's thinking of that nature that has lead to the demise of GM. It will lead to the demise of all of us in the long run. You might want to bone up on the science and reconsider. A man of you position has a responsibility to the facts, as your influence flows far and wide.

As regards Mr. Lutz's comment that Global Warming is a crop, we have cyclical climate changes but there has been no scientific evidence that there is any tie between man and such changes. Those,who argue contra, are those who believe in scientifc consensus rather than scientific proof. Build cars that people want, and they buy them. Buy cars that government shoves down your throat, get ready to answer to the Share Holders. Hang in there.

Mr. Lutz: Right on, global warming is the biggest hoax ever played on the world. Chicago is having is coldest and longest winter in memory and five times the snow it had last year. What a crock of horse hockey it is. Thanks for speaking out.

Thank you Mr. Lutz! It takes common sense and courage to speak truth to the followers of the Global Warming religion.

Genuine science warns we are entering an ICE AGE.

Climate change is a "crock of ****"? C'mon Bob! You can't be that blind or obtuse.
We've s*** in our own nest and this is part of the penalty. Deal with it.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

Thank You, for speaking out about the tripe being foisted upon us by the "green" movement. It seems that thirty years ago it was the "red" movement. "Protected" workers in the peoples republics were not sufficiently greatful for the controls imposed on them for their own good, at the point of a gun.
It seems that the very same players have learned and now want to "protect" mother earth. Her voice can be manipulated by "adgenda science" I find interesting that the guns are still being pointed at us workers.

Anthropogenic Global Warming is a Fraud!

The principle greenhouse gas is water vapor. It is responsible for 99.875% of all atmospheric warming, but is ignored by government because it cannot be controlled or taxed.

3% of air is water vapor and 0.038% is CO2. In terms of molecules, there are 193 times as many water molecules in air as CO2.

Each water molecule absorbs four times as much infrared heat energy as every CO2 molecule. Thus, water vapor has 772 times the effect of CO2 or 99.875% of all absorption.

The anthropogenic global warming panic pushers have found something to tax and control. It's just that simple.

Adrian Vance

Mr. Lutz,

I agree with your comments. I'm glad that GM engineers don't rely on the same *scientific* methods that global warmists do to determine whether its cars are safe (i.e. 50 years of *data* out of a few billion years of no data have solidified it for hardcore global warmists). Real scientists would lose their jobs and/or be the laughing stock of their peers with such claims of impending doom based on skewed data. Please continue using sound engineering methods to design cars rather than the Al Gore technique of cutting corners to support a bogus theory.

At last someone of note stands up to the lunacy of "Global warming". There are two sides to
every story but so far only one side has been allowed to reach
the public ear. The sky is falling, says Al Gore, and the hen house goes crazy. Thanks
Bill Lutz for taking a stand against
the fear mongers.

Bob,
You're right on target with your comment about global warming being a crock. There's no science to back it up, only false awards for algore. Those of us who can think for ourselves can't ignore the fact that they've dropped the "global warming" moniker and jumped on the "climate change" bandwagon. That helps them explain why the natural cycle is beginning to cool the earth again. Back in the 1970's algore was on the "global cooling" schtick, but it seems that inventing the internet made him and so many others much smarter.
BTW, kudos to GM on the new Malibu. Looks like a winner.

Mr. Lutz, regarding the global warming hoax. Please do not back down from those who will try to ruin you. The global warming issue is a total hoax. History proves, over and over, that climate changes are a natural ebb and flow on this Planet. Society needs people who will stand up to the enviro-pagans and stick the finger of truth and facts in their eye. Maybe, someday, the media will take a few minutes to look at the facts and then expose the truth. It's called the Sun, the Oceans, the jet stream et-al.

ask the eskimos if climate is changing.
whether natural or man made,
something is going on.
deny the obvious and toyota will still be eating your lunch for years to come.
if padding your pockets is more important than the enviroment your future generations live in ,
keep up your polluting ways
(hey a billion chinese in cars will bring changes nobody can imagine)

Why put out products you don't believe in? No wonder your company is dragging its feet. GM is following instead of leading. What a shame and a step down from former days of glory.

Mr. Lutz

I too agree that the Global warming histaria is a fraud. If you want to turn the auto industry around you have to now only make the vehicles more fuel efficient but easier and simpler to work on. The average person with mechanically ability should be able to change the spark plugs with out tilting and engine, replace ingnition wires, belts, alternator, fuel pump and fuel filter without having to go to a dealer or mechanic. In the mid 90's a professional car racer and engineer stated that if the U.S. auto industry does not make cars simpler by 2000, the U.S. auto industry is doomed. He is right. I mayself will not buy a new car. They are not worth it. I know you have been subjected to a lot of government regulations, but the fact is you need to fire all of your engineers and hire new ones. Before a car is put on the market the engineers themselves should be able to do basic maintainance on the vehicles such as I mentioned earlier.

Thank you

"Hydrogen cars, don't store the Hydrogen, make it on demand. Work on a more efficient electrolizer. With modern digital control and coils, water can be broken down fast enough to do this. Electrical pulses like a hammer drill can break apart the bonds easier than a constant voltage." by Douglas Fleck

Mr Fleck,

Any car that could carry enough electrical energy to "make hydrogen on demand" could run more efficiently on that electrical energy alone.

There would be no reason to use that electricity to make hydrogen and undergo the inevitable thermodynamic and conversion losses.

Mark said: "Before a car is put on the market the engineers themselves should be able to do basic maintenance on the vehicles..."

Absolutely correct Mark, but let's go one step further: Mr Wagoner and Mr Lutz should have to demonstrate they can personally change the spark plugs (except diesels), belts, and oil on every model GM makes before it can go on a showroom floor. (Sometimes it seems the engineers who designed the cars must be in cahoots with the dealer maintenance people. Otherwise, why would they make it so hard to do basic maintenance?)

The annual auto shows at Detroit, Chicago, and New York would be a great place for Wagoner and Lutz to demonstrate the ease of maintenance of GM models. I even bet it would be a big attendance draw. (I know the press would love it.)

Heck, we might as well go all the way and also require the CEOs and senior VPs of all the auto companies be able to show they can drive a car with a manual transmission at those same auto shows.

Best,

Gary Dikkers

Mr. Lutz:
While you are entitled to your personal position regarding global warming, a careful review of all the available evidence by most of the world's scientists has come to a contrary position. True, there are some scientists who challenge CO2's role in global warming just as there were scientists who for more than three decades contended, against the great weight of scientific evidence, that smoking was not harmful to health while three million Americans died of cancer. Notwithstanding your personal position, does GM have a corporate position recognizing the automobile's contribution to Global Warming? If not, I'm afraid that I can no-longer purchase GM products. I just can't have faith in any company that could be so uninformed against the great weight of world scientific thought. I have been an exclusive GM customer for more than 50 years and I currently own two GM vehicles. Please advise.

As typical, GM is multiple years late and billions short while the world moves towards small city cars like the Fiat 500 and Mini. GM's response, why of course the Aveo, garbage on wheels.

The 2009 roll out of the second coming of the Camaro, all 2 tons of it is what the General thinks America is waiting for. Unbelievable. Sales will be brisk until the fading baby boomers have their fill and then the Camaro will be stacking up unsold on dealer lots within 3 years.

There is absolutely no coherent vision at GM nor any other Detroit based automaker. Midwest centric and removed from the reality of world of $4 per gallon and higher gasoline.

The latest news is that GM is evaluating the Mini concept, with a 4 year time horizon to possible production. Oh, swell. GM ponders while BMW sells. It's just pathetic seeing another American ikon fall flat on it's ass.

It sure was a great move by the GM brain trust to pay Fiat $2 billion to terminate the call option, just as Marchionne was about to turn Fiat into a winner. How about a trade,that is while he's still breathing, Lutz for Marchionne.

Bob Lutz,
I am a retired GM skilled employee and a devout general motors truck and auto buyer, and always will be. My question to you is, Why is it when an exciting new product like the limited addition ZR1 is introduced, the devoted GM worker has little to no chance of buying one ? I am also a 40 year corvette enthusiast,and tried almost everywhare to buy one and was turned down. This has been my experience as always in the past as it has been when I have tried to purchase many other of the first off GM products. This includes the first and second generation Z06's, the first of the Cadillac SLR and to say the least one of the first C-5's. Whats more heartening than ever is finding out that the one's that are promised these cars, are the same affluent
people that buy them to just make a profit. Also These individuals drive anything but GM vehicals because they think the high price european brands are the cars that are quote"the prestigious class" drives. What is it going to take for an average, GM enthsiast, to buy one of the first, if not the first ZR1 corvette's produced. Thank You. Sincerly a true Corvette guy Jim

Mr. Lutz;

It just seems as though the malaise of the eighties is still around, and nobody @ GM Styling cares about 'outside the box' identity looks anymore. Most of the comments I've read have addressed this, but as a 30-year GM veteran, it pains me to agree. How can you sell bland, uninspired cars and expect high sales numbers? The cars that are excellent, not many can afford.Exclusivity can't keep us above the waterline.

I am glad to see at least GM is starting to move in the right direction. It's not that easy for a business to just up and change everything, you have to evaluate the costs and be concerned about loosing existing costumers. I hope GM will continue to move toward fuel savbing vehicles and alternative vehicles. I would be excited if the U.S. would be independant with its energy needs.
The time is now to make a difference and GM is the company that can do it.
I have faith in your GM, dont let America become a third world country

Dear Mr.Lutz,
You are indeed an expert and will remain so many years to come.Those sterliing qualities in you manifested earlier in life and you were able to hold on to them and in turn exhibited wonderful brillance and intelligence. Is GM doing anything deliberate to bring up someone like you educationally? By the way, are you a relation of Herbert Lutz?Let the cars keep rolling into Africa, the modern Canaan! Remain blessed.
Joe Johnson

Dear Bob Lutz,

I don't pretend to know something about electric cars that GM doesn't know. But GM data that I have seen suggest that the Chevy Volt doesn't have to be so far in the future. The Chevy Volt is said to be waiting for battery technology to catch up to Volt vehicle requirements. Why not just reduce the performance potential of the Volt from 120 kilowats (160HP) down to 53 kilowats (Volt's alternator capacity). That provides about 70HP at a level the alternator can sustain indefinitely without stopping for a recharge. No new battery technology is required if the car can run on its alternator. As battery technology improves the performance of the Volt can be improved. The question remains: (at the Volt's weight) will 70HP provide adequate performance? If not, hop up the alternator/engine a bit.
I would like to see GM shortcut the process and get Volt on the road.

Max Limpert