Talk About a Crock…

Mr.Lutz you should be used to this retoric by now, if it was toyota they would be praised, the press hates GM and I'm tired of it also, just like the Hummer they keep bashing its just not right when the new toyota suv gets 11 mpg and now one says anything come on my H2 gets 13 mpg. my suggestion is to take off the gloves and start bashing the imports heavy and hard with the truth that GM is FAR superior than its rivals but it has to also has to show in the dealer showrooms and staff unlike here in so.cal. not too empressive here.
love your passion for the industry please give us the CTS coupe soon.

thanks

Bob,
If 1/10th the politicians, upper executives, celebrities, and other high profile personalities were to be as frank and non-apologetic as you were on something you said, then quiet honestly, people would probably stop making such a big deal about it. As you mentioned, opinions are just that- opinions.

Where people took this erroneously was by applying personal opinion to corporate behavior. By doing so, it continues a sort inexplicable lack of trust amongst Americans for large corporations. The mindset for many is that if a company is large... then they must have done so via distasteful transactions and bad professional behavior, which is ironic given the never-ending national quest to grow companies to a high degree of success.

Thus it is easy to see how anyone involved with a large corporation- such as yourself- could be inextricably attached to the corporation, and especially when opinionated observations are made.

You don't need to defend yourself. I have to admit that I too sometimes question whether we actually have a grasp on environmental characteristics given the fact that the science of meteorology is far to young to have the ability to accurately predict historic weather trends. We did have an ice age just 10,000 years ago after all.

Anyhow, the proof is in the product. Get that Volt out the door and prove em wrong!

Bob,
Spot on! Unfortunately there are a lot of people with huge time on their hands and little tolerance. Keep up the good work. Ed

We can't change the world, but we can change and be king of our own little corner of the world-and work on making our corner, no matter how big or small just a little bit more perfect. And by doing that, that is how we, in fact, change the world.

Imagine what GM can accomplish if they do everything Lutz just said. That would be amazing and yes, it would change the world.

The incentive to research alternative fuels is growing bigger everyday. And just as I said yesterday, those incentives are not subsidies, or tax breaks, those incentives are the potential to to take some of the oil industry's $100's of billions of profits from swelling profits statements of oil companies to exploding coffers of oil producing nations.

If we dabble a little in hydrogen and cellulose ethanol while we exercise our ability to take some of those oil profits through ethanol and hybrids, more power to us.

I would rather farmer Joe get more for his corn and wheat that sultan getting another undisclosed obscene amount of cash.

I would rather GM.

Hi Bob: I am not sure what your comment was but it is clear that GM has shown true leadership towards solving this issue. No question that for a while it was off track. Your multi-pronged strategy is effective and is slowly but surely being understood by the public. As GM continues rolling out more and more green products its image will change.

-Uday

GM is clearly headed in the right direction. GM by far is becoming the leading automotive manufacturer in alternative fuel and propulsion methods. Unfortunately the current Congress of our government, along with the mainstream media, is doing everything in their power to make the public believe just the opposite.

We have been granted the right to free speech and that is slowly being taken away. Those that disagree with the mainstream media are potrayed sometimes as evil, un-American or biased. But people like Al Gore (who flies around the world in his Gulfstream(s) and owns a house that is 10,000 square feet) are given the nobel-peace prize for writing a book and making a movie on global warming. This has put pressure on politicians to go against the grain because of the consequences. And therefore the only people that will suffer will be the governed.

So, Bob keeping speaking your mind. As a GM employee I fully support the efforts to bring the Volt to production. I want clear air, energy independence and lower emissions myself. I just wish the government would let the free markets take care of themselves because in the end we will all benefit!

Mr. Lutz,
Timely statement, as a senior management representative of GM you ARE responsible to all manner of critique.
Reasoning, last time I checked GM was a PUBLICLY HELD company. Notability indeed has an associated cost!
Sir, your actions DO reflect on GM efforts in these trying times for transportation ware vendors.
Recommendation, less hyperbole and more GM facts ...

Bob~
I haven't hugged a tree lately, but you want me to rush out and do just that! Keep up the good work!

I love free speech. Call it as you see it.

Just keep talking over the single minded "Greenies" and "Political correctness police". For some reason they just don't seem to see the bigger picture of; lost lives, National security, financing of enemy states, etc...

Once again I have to wonder: Why would I want to buy a "green" car from a man who thinks "global warming is a crock;" isn't that like buying a Corvette from a guy who hates fast cars, or buying a pickup truck from someone who thinks only rednecks should drive them?

And still waiting to read why we should buy a badge-engineered Diahatsu with a tacked-on Chevy logo, rather than a Honda or Toyota built in Indiana by Americans?

Bob,

Unfortunately we live in a world where youre opinion is considered more enlightened if you have a liberal view. Any dissenting opinon is attacked as offensive rather than debating facts. It has forced the US into political correctness at its finest.

The Toyota Prius hybrid factory in Sudbury, Ontario has caused acid rain around the plant has killed all vegitation. Somehow it maintains the perception of enviromentally friendly.

Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for not bowing to the pressure of the 2% lunatic fringe that insists everything we say and do must be politically correct. Sometimes the truth must be told, even if it hurts somebody's feelings or runs contrary to their personal beliefs. Your opinions on global warming are just that, YOURS. The direction that GM is taking to address these serious issues are practical and responsible. If any of your detractors took the time and energy to actually study the problem, they'd realize they're barking up the wrong tree. Two of the most abundant greenhouse gasses are water vapor and methane. One of the biggest producers of methane is cattle flatulence. I guess we'd better outlaw water, and start eating more steak. Keep making sense Mr. Lutz, someone out there has to.

Go get 'em, Bob. Neither the public nor media are used to candor from our industry leaders. Too many years on defense.

Engergy independence should be a national goal, like going to the moon was back in the 1960's.

Personally, as a car guy, I don't like what it is doing to performance vehicles (why oh why did CAFE have to kill Pontiac's RWD plans??) but it's the right thing to do for the country.

We all have to be willing to sacrifice for the good of the nation. Unfortunately, much of the populace is too concerned about themselves to worry about doing what's best for all. We've become a greedy, "me first" nation.

Bob,

Global Warming has become a religion that is more fundamentalist than any other out there. Disagree with the dogma and you are dragged and beaten in the streets. There are numerous climate scientists who know that man-made CO2 is not the only possible explanation for climate change. But like you, they are taken out to the woodshed and beaten into submission to the point where they say "why bother." It's a shame and a sham. You shouldn't have to explain yourself or apologize for calling this debate what it is...a bloody jihad against anyone who disagrees with the elitist position on CO2. The hypocrisy of the so-called scientifically enlightened liberal establishment is shameful.

Mr. Lutz
We have to keep in mind that most people on the internet have nothing better to do with their lives than to sit there bashing others. For some reason they choose to bash more tward GM than other brands, now that is a crock of s**t. I agree with you that this global warming is stupid. There is tons of scientific proof that shows this is a normal cycle that happens over long periods of time. Come on people, listen to the scientists, not politicians! Keep up the great work Mr. Lutz, I can't wait to drive one of the new ZR1s!

Uday said, "I am not sure what your comment was..."

Here is what Mr. Lutz is reported to have said: "Global warming is a “total crock of ****.” Then he added: “I’m a skeptic, not a denier. Having said that, my opinion doesn’t matter. (With the battery-driven Volt), “I’m motivated more by the desire to replace imported oil than by the CO2 (argument).”

Bob, you might be right. But I doubt it. Friends of mine who are PhD-level chemists and chemical engineers specializing in aerosols, VOCs and similar have followed the research (they're fully qualified to read it all) and believe that Anthropogenic Global Warming - AGW - is a real phenomenon with serious consequences. But, sure, you might be right.

However, even if you are right, one of the principal elements of appeal of the Volt will be its CO2-free operation.

Who do you think is willing to shell out a lot of cash for such a car? Global Warming Deniers? Somehow, I don't think so.

So, you're alienating one of your principal target markets. That strikes me as not so smart.

Also, I'm led to doubt the sincerity of your interest in the program. You say that you and GM are dedicated to removing cars from the environmental equation becuase it's the "right thing to do." If AGW is a crock, what makes CO2-free vehicles "right?" If AGW is a crock, CO2-free vehicles are pointless, since most other pollutants have already been effectively managed out of vehicle exhaust.

Something doesn't add up.

Bob:
In short, I´m with you.

Psst, Bob. Guess what? It always gets warmer after an ice age.

And it will probably continue to get warmer -- at least until the next ice age comes along.

It's always a new thing that the 2% fringe are on. South beach diet, trendy coffee shops and oh yes, Global Warming. Global warming is the most brilliant argument ever concieved by mankind to grab your money and land and ultimately your liberty. We all know theres an equal amount of scientists that will refute the evidence as ones that will site and try to prove Global warming to be true.


It's good to protect the environment, GM does in many ways. But will someone tell me what the big reduction in pollution would be with an electric car using energy from a coal based powerstation?


When we go nuclear like the French and really reduce the amount of emissions from our power generators, then use electric cars, we will achieve a lower level of "Overall" pollution and that makes sense. It's sort of like someone putting a toyota badge on a honda and trying to pass it off as something it's not, the energy has to come from somewhere and why not drive our municipalities to go Nuclear and hold them accountable?

We've come too far to regress to the demands of the lunatic fringe!

As I see it, it’s pretty arrogant to think humans are capable of destroying the planet. I agree we’re pretty good at making messes, but the Earth was here long before we showed up and it will continue on long after we’re gone. Ask the dinosaurs how important they thought they were. Now we’re using them to power our cars.

On the other hand, I read a comment lately that said, regardless of the validity of global warming theories, the whole idea of climate change has resulted in many opportunities to make money. If one of those opportunities is hybrid and electric vehicles, then by all means build them. We know how the Y2K scare turned out, but I bet a lot of money was made selling generators and bottled water. Just be sure the meat department of the grocery store still stocks a few high-horsepower Corvettes for those of us who need our fix.

In response to "Charlie H": While apparently none of them are your "PHD friends" there is legitimate debate among scientists as to the degree of human causes (if any) for global warming. With apologies to the Global Warming Kool-Aid Drinkers, we may simply be in a natural cycle of warming/cooling if viewed over a long enough period of time.

You write to Bob: "Something doesn't add up... You say that you and GM are dedicated to removing cars from the environmental equation because it's the 'right thing to do.' If AGW is a crock, what makes CO2-free vehicles right?"

Producing CO2-free vehicles is the right thing to do Charlie, if for no other reason then to appeal to potential buyers such as yourself. GM has in fact taken a leadership position in developing a wide range of eviro-friendly vehicles, as well as recognizing the value of helping to lessen our dependence on foreign producers of oil. If judged on performance rather than rhetoric, GM (and Bob Lutz) will prevail in the marketplace.

Bob,

I have recently gained a great deal of respect for you. GM's unveilings of concepts has impressed the heck out of me. I hope you have received the message I sent you. I honestly believe that GM has the potential to turn the industry around. I think we are seeing that. And it is for that reason that I continue to submit my thoughts to GM and even at times play devil's advocate. The blog pages are great for that. I feel it takes serious thought however to play the role of devil's advocate. And if done properly the result is a better product and customer base for GM.

So once again I have to be devil's advocate and say that I don't beleive its possible (from an engineering standpoint) to remove the auto industry from the environmental equation. As long as cars are using energy and resources (to build) and occupying space on the highway, using tires etc.. then they are impacting the environment. We surely can play the energy game and move around some BTUs or KW*h's but you can't get rid of the fact that cars need energy. GM can and no doubt will go a long way to reduce energy usage and shift the method of production of said energy. But it will always be part of the environmental picture so long as energy is encapsulated in the environmental problem.

Having said that and making my point I want to tell GM to keep up the good work. I hope this forum continues to serve as a grounds for discussion and improvement for GM's products.

Nate

Bob, I applaud your willingness to express your opinions. Especially on global warming. While others may not agree with them, I feel that it's a very good thing when industry leaders are able to speak with such candor. I also applaud your efforts to electrify the automobile. Cars like the Volt are only the beginning, and are an extremely good start in the process. However I feel that GM, Ford and Chrysler need to do a bit more in combining their efforts as well as working with large companies such as Exxon/Mobil to show them that they can still make lots and lots of money if they moved away from petroleum products, and got on board with biofuels. Plastics can also be made from various plants as well. Until the companies which we now call "Big oil" see the profit potential and come on board, our energy independence may be a long time coming.

Mr. Lutz,

Good work and thanks for the personal involvement in the Volt program – I am sure it is a very exciting program for all of the people at GM who are fortunate enough to work on the car. My hope is that GM is thinking in terms of large production quantities for the Volt as I am certain it is going to be wildly successful, probably well beyond your estimates.

I read in another Blog some of the criticisms of what you had said, and I took the time to post a comment concerning the actions of GM and yourself personally, stating, in effect, that you, despite your statement, were doing more to help the environment with the Volt than any other person on Earth, and perhaps in history. That comment applies to all of the people at GM who are working on this project, and it is a reality that is lost among those who claim to be at the center of a movement to improve the environment, but have yet done nothing beyond talking.

I’m on the waiting list for the Volt (#6000 something,) but I would rather be on the waiting list for the Cadillac version. Think about it.

To the person who posted about global warming, as if every scientist agreed it was a problem, please consider this viewpoint. And about 10 more from different angles.

http://ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=287279412587175

Bob Lutz,
I, too, have the same opinions as you do. The fact that you get criticized becaused you go against popular ignorant beliefs just shows how the American media is one sided and close minded. When one says that global warming is caused not by humans but by something else, one is assumed to be ignorant and misinformed. However, when people like Al Gore put out a documentary about global warming that is one sided, close minded, misinformed, and overall exaggerated, they are praised and win awards. People in America truly are stupid, to be frank.

Greg C,

If the point of CO2-free vehicles is, as you suggest, merely one of marketing vehicles to people like me, then for the project leader to say something I take seriously is a "crock," is pretty poor marketing.

As for "legitimate debate," there's debate on the exact effects, but not much on the general effect. The underlying science is really pretty simple and, mostly, fairly old. I'd be delighted if you could show us a mechanism in the Earth's atmosphere that will remove the heat that higher CO2 levels will trap.

My PhD-equipped friends are not research scientists, they work in manufacturing. If AGW is a "crock," they have no reason to accept the theory. They don't have grant money or careers at stake (and many Deniers have charged research scientists are distorting things to keep the money train running). Yet, they are familiar with the research and they do accept the general theory. Why?Maybe because it makes sense?

Matt,

You think it's arrogant to believe we can screw up the planet. Our tracks are everywhere and in a way no other animals's tracks can be. We make tools and, using them, we amplify our effect on the planet far beyond what any other animal can do. Nothing else makes tools or has fire. To presume that we're just another part of the biosphere like any other Great Ape and have only a similar effect it... that's foolish. Do other Great Apes dig hundreds or thousands of feet down and bring up carbon deposits that Nature buried eons ago? Do they live in 2,000 ft**2 houses? Do they strip-mine? Do they smelt aliminum, build jets from it and fly to Cancun on vacation?

Bob of Feb 22 at 3:20am,

There is no Prius factory in Sudbury, Ontario. If you're going to endorse the piffle that the Deniers publish, you should do a more workmalike job of it.

You meant to bring up the issue of the old InCo nickel smelter in Sudbury, which went into operation and destroyed the area around Sudbury at least 40 years before the first Prius was built. But, for Denier purposes, since the current Prius does use nickel in its battery, it's OK to claim the devasation is "caused" by the Prius. The fact that nickel is also a component of regular cars, knives, nickels (that's why we call them that) and a gazillion other things can be readily ignored for purposes of AGW Denial.

Bob Lutz,

I reconsidered my earlier comments and I think I left some important things out...

After "Global Warming is a total crock," you don't get to say, "I'm a skeptic, not a denier" and get some kind of pass. A "skeptic" doesn't say, "total crock." A "skeptic" says, "I'm not convinced" and explains his objections (or just says, "that's insufficient"). "Total crock" is what one says when one wants to demean and belittle those who take it seriously.

I am of the opinion that Bob should voice his personal opinions in a more tasteful manner given the consequences of comments GM's image. There is a difference between saying "evidence is not conclusive" and "crock of s**".

His comments / questions are fair and probably true. However this is a businesss impact point rather than a philosophical point.

GM is making great strides and any negative comments by its leaders makes the uphill climb even more difficult.

Go Volt !

-Uday

Bob,

You hit the nail on the head and told the truth about "Global Warming". It is a crock and it's a shame people are so willing to go along with this while others use it to dictate to others what our lifestyles should be.

Keep it up and never back down!

Mr. Lutz,
You are entitled to your opinion and beliefs. It appears that many others agree with your view that global warming "is a crock of s**t. What does dismay me however is that it's the same kind of arrogance and attitude that lead many a customer to believe that GM management was full of s**t and didn't know how to build automobiles that customers wanted. Believe what you may but your competitors will design and build vehicles that will address the "crock of S**t" long before GM does. Finally, you'd think that a senior GM executive would be a little more discrete in public.

Mr. Lutz,

I very much doubt you posted this in response to my insignificant request in another blog entry comment, but I feel I must thank you all the same. As many have said, here, Internet folks have nothing much better to do than type up stupid reponses to random comments made by people.

I would even venture to tell you to take the media explosion over your comment as a compliment, actually. It proves they are hinging on every word you (and the company) say. Unfortunately, these people just happen to be pessimists and cynics, too. Use this to your advantage. You are Maximum Bob, and whether you like it or not, somewhat of a hero in the Auto Industry. The Volt will be the Exclamation mark at the end of your very impressive Career. And I cannot imagine how more than a few people will ever be able to measure up to you, Bob.

So, once again - Thank you for addressing this, it's more than many others would have done. Which is one more reason I have to be proud for driving a GM vehicle. I will continue to try and 'convert' people, just as you continue to converse with us customers.

A GM guy for life -
Joe

Bob, you rock! The new GM is about free spirits, open thinkers and challenging the status quo. GM could not have evolved into the great corporation that it is today without 100 years of encouraging its people to be the individuals. Bob, you are the epitome of GM - a free-spirited individual that is woven into a colorful tapestry that makes up a global corporation.

So, do what you do best - be fresh, mix it up, push the envelope... just be you.

T-Gib

Dear Mr. Lutz,

Damage control won't save you or GM.

The reason GM's market share goes down each year is because you and your cronies are out of touch!

The fact is, once someone switches from an American car to either Toyota or Honda, they (almost) never go back. You got to wonder why.

Hint: it's not because Japanese cars are cheaper or that they spend more money on advertising.

Charlie H,

Since you singled me out, I’ll reply. In my comment, I said that we humans are “pretty good at making messes”. That was intended to be a humorous way of admitting to all the problems we do cause, be they oil spills, destruction of rain forests, or whatever. I’m sorry you didn’t pick up on that. You did a good job of explaining how we are different from the animals on the planet, and I agree with you that humans are greater than the animals. I also believe that humans are part of the creation and not the Creator, which puts us in our place. As I understand the popular view of global warming, our actions are supposed to result in melting of ice caps, rising of oceans, and destruction of the world as we know it. Those things may all happen, but yes, I think it’s arrogant to believe that we are able to do that on our own. Science can help us learn many things about our surroundings, but about the time we think we’re in control, natural events can put us in our place faster than we know what hit us. Hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes were around long before we started building cars, and they are a humbling reminder of the forces we’re really dealing with.

Since this is supposed to be a blog about cars and the auto industry, I’d like to put us back on track by saying I find Mr. Lutz’s comments refreshing in this world of political correctness where you can’t say anything for fear of insulting someone. Whether it’s calling global warming a crock, or calling the new CAFE rules “just stupid”, Bob Lutz lets us know where he stands. Wishy washy executives will run a wishy washy company. GM’s starting to shake things up, and I’d like to see it continue. That includes building cars that measure performance in miles per gallon as well as those that measure it in horsepower and handling. There are plenty of people willing to buy both. Bob Lutz isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and that’s why he’s been able to turn things around. Thanks, Bob.

Just read this:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/COL14/802210312/1015/BUSINESS02

Can Toyota and Honda compete with this? ...... No!

Mr. Lutz-
Your comments above exemplify why GM is failing as an automaker (see GM 2007 loss). If you were more educated about this topic, you would not have made the remarks, and certainly would not continue maintain a position not supported by science or logic .Your "head in the sand" aproach is the reason GM is always playing catch up to other manufacturers.

HP,
You seem to be confusing what many of us were saying, which in almost every case here was to simply agree with Bob that yes- he has the right just like anyone else to voice an opinion.

And to Charlie, First of all, the planet has already proven it's remarkable ability to heal from catastrophic amounts of pollution. The best example I think that exists out there is the extinction of the dinosaurs. A huge meteorite basically blotted out the sun and killed almost everything on the planet and alerted the atmosphere and temperatures immediately. That was several hundred million years ago, which isn't exactly that long ago in earth history. Bottom line- if man destroys the planet several times over, then we may not be here, but the earth will and very easily heal and obliterate any trace that humans once lived here... only to perhaps be discovered hundreds of millions of years later by another curious life form. My point being is that if global warming is being caused by humans, then we're more than likely destroying ourselves versus the planet. It's not the other way around.

Additionally, I think it worthy of note that a single and more importantly- natural volcanic eruption produces more pollution and carbon dioxide than 200 years worth of industrial pollution. I would be curious to see just how much of the equation humans really add to the grand total.

The stance that Mr Lutz is taking in my opinion speaks louder than his stated opinion. Many people talk about how BAD things are and how we MUST do something about it. Well here you have a 70+ year old man, who has been in the automotive industry all his life, and is now working on what many deem a truly revolutionary automobile that has the real potential to actually help solve some of the very problems you and others bring up.So what have YOU personally done to make a difference?

There's a big difference between doing something about a problem versus identifying one.

Well said, Bob. Keep up the good work and keep calling it like you see it.

Dear Mr. Lutz,
The reaction of the 'believers' towards 'skeptics', 'heretics' or 'unbelievers' is the same every time - to shout as loud as possible and 'shoot the messenger'. No surprise there at all. Best is to ask the questions and let the 'believers' talk among themselves.

There are legitimate objections raised by informed scientists to the hyperbole surrounding AGW, that are all worth the debate.

I'm on the fence myself and a couple of sites I regularly follow (I'm affiliated to neither) are www.junkscience.com and www.realclimate.org, to see passionate arguments on either side.

It is not my place to advise, but something along the lines of the attractiveness of alt fuel vehicles to alleviate energy security/diversity, balance of payments and reestablish GM's technology leadership, would have been more in keeping with your elevated, leadership stature within the auto industry.

Good for you Sir
More people need to expose this lie. It is unfortunate that so many intelligent industry leaders are scared to admit the truth, that the global warming “enthusiast” are misguided and misinformed. Which is why the leaders of that movement refuse to debate the matter. Regards.

You are correct in your comments regarding global warming. A function of the sun's cycles rather than anything man made. Thank you for sticking to your guns!!

Way to go! I wish politicians had the brains and/or guts to declare global warming a crock. But then it is politicians who have created the whole mess, not the scientists. The politicians see the money tree of selling (and controlling) carbon emissions. There is money to be made by all of these scoundrels here in the US, but especially at the UN

Bravo, Mr. Lutz.

The conceit of the Chicken Little whack-jobs who claim the sky is falling because of human activity have no conception of the scope and arrogance of their conceit.

I appreciate you calling 'em as you see 'em.

Mr. Lutz,

I applaud you for taking a stand against the anti-capitalist agenda of global warming.

30 years ago, it was global cooling that was on the cover of Time. Today, it is warming.

Bob, don't justify your comments, they're right on. Global warming is a pant load of crap. Those who follow the cult of global warming are anti-capitalists at heart and would love to see GM fail. Based on your comments, I may now make a GM vehicle my next car purchase. Don't cave into these zealots. Thanks for your candor.

Amen. What is really sad is that
a big segment of the public is buying this gw crap hook line and sinker.

Bravo Mr. Lutz! Refreshing to see a "real" corp. exc. not cow tow to the politically motivated crowd. Your opinions are yours,and your job is to sell cars the public will wants. Keep up the good work.

GM (And Ford) have had opinions for 50 yrs. It was GM's opinion that Toyota and Honda should do all the R & D with Hybrids. GM exes were wrong. Two foreign companies dominate those markets now.
GM bet on high performance cars with low MPG. They were wrong. Gas prices went up and people have bought newer vehicles with higher MPG.
GM and Ford not only do not dominate the auto industry, that even Pres Bush ignored their lobby against higher MPG.
Feel free to have your opinion.
Your company is a dinosaur. Your views on global warming will be proven wrong.
And BTW, reducing carbons in the air just might be healthy anyways, regardless if they reduce global warming.

Sorry Bob, but your personal viewpoint is actually a huge problem for GM, and in a very practical way. If you want to attract the smartest and most creative engineers and scientists to work on GM's car development projects, you're going to have to learn enough about the problem to understand and accept what they say about climate change. Denial of the conclusions of the scientific community in this area makes GM an undesirable place to work for those of us who have enough education to understand the situation. You're not wanting to hire those ignorant and misinformed people who deny the problem, but the ones clever enough to do something about it. But right now they're looking at Toyota and Honda and NREL as more interesting places to work.

YES!!! I do agree with Lutz a 100%. This "global warming" crap is nothing more than crooks like the Gores, Suzukis and the likes are milking for a VERY PROFITABLE, comfortable living. For sure 6.5 billion humans are polluting the earth, but "global warming" is a natural phenomena, started 10,000 years ago, ending the ice age, and will go on as long as the earth exist! go guys, hug a tree and..........

I'm a Ford guy, but I may just have to give the nod to GM next time I'm in the market for a truck.

Way to go Mr. Lutz!

The comments you made, and continue to defend show me, a consumer, that neither you or GM really cares anything about this planet, or the people inhabiting it. This worldview seems to be one of the causes for the obsolescence of the American car industry, as witnessed by the recent huge losses suffered by GM. Toyota gets it, Honda gets it. When will Detroit wake up? Probably when the factory gates are being chained shut.

Bob:

You're right on about so-called global warming being a crock. You might not understand, though, that many of those who spew vitriol at you are not interested in honest debate, discussion, analysis of potential environmental problems. To them it is a politically correct agenda where disagreement is an incitement to hatred. The PC crowd conveniently disregard real scientific evidence and known facts (the Medieval warm period for one example) that contradicts and discounts the PC position. Global warming theory needs an honest and open, non-political debate to determine exactly what is going on in the environment and not a hate-filled diatribe from the PC liberals. Keep on telling it like it is.

Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for saying what more high profile execs need to say: what they think. And then differentiating that from what they think about their company and what it should be doing.

Good on 'ya!!

Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for having the guts to call out global warming for what it is.

Great post.

"The Crock" talk was the first and only thing GM has done right in 40 years. Right on Lutz. Now just build a car as good as Honda and Toyota and I'll buy it. You must realize that I must hear it from my friends on just how good the car is, not from an ad or Fisher or whatever. Build the friggin' car and they'll come.

Mr. Lutz,
Very well put. Thank you.

Mr Lutz, I think you've been the best think that's happen to GM. Get that CTS coupe on and a reskin of the SRX with those Provoq clothes would make another winner. Get the Alpha platform moving with a Nomad for Chevy and I'll be in heaven.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

THANK-YOU for challenging the establishment on the global warming hoax! NASA just released images and a report showing that the North Pole sea ice has returned to its average levels in 6 short months, and the South Pole sea ice is 1/3 LARGER than its average. Sunspot activity (or lack thereof) has been zero for longer than expected, possibly indicating the beginning of a 100-year mini ice age. These folks are going to wish humans could cause the planet to warm! Thanks again!

Bob,
I and many others agree with you! I am tired of the PC and Green crowds trying to control our every thought and action! Look at the mess with ethanol. Lets save the planet by using ethanol and the only result is the price of wheat goes through the roof! I guess we all feel better though. It's just stupid! Your the best for having the guts to tell the truth!

Thanks,

MM

Welcome to the world of Internet! I think since you are a public voice of GM more than any other executive, you should be extra careful to keep your private and public discourse consistent.

Congratulations on some straight talk.

Three cheers for the viewpoint of Mr. Lutz. To even begin speaking on AGW, one must spend at least a year reading science articles on the web to found an understanding of global warming theory and then to discover how proponents of that alarmist view fail and are refuted by the cautious skeptics (who, by the way, orient the starting point of many of their articles upon the proponents' allegedly scientific claims). Alternatively, as Mr. Lutz likely has, one can read the results of one's research team focused on the merits and weaknesses of the articles. I was a believer until I had spent more than a year reading as much as I could pro and con. The conskis are the winners, providing a mountain of scientific reasoning and refutation that absolves industrial mankind with his minuscule climate influence by way of an even more minuscule influence of CO2 on climate evolution. It is not in our stars, but that we are underlings. Of the Sun, of our planet's orbit, of oscillatory global winds and currents. See for yourself, at: http://www.junkscience.com/MSU_Temps/Warming_Look.html#UAH%20MSU
and focus on the mid-troposphere temperature histories by satellite and radiosonde monitoring. It is in that portion of the atmosphere that global warming is supposed to be most pronounced; yet the mid-troposphere temperature has been flat for 7 years, and over the last year has magically declined by approximately 0.5°C. Two impossibilities were greenhouse-gas warming theory an accurate description of the climate process in play. While science, still in its infancy, can't purport to know whether this cycle of post-ice age warming is entirely natural or not, it is quite clear that CO2 is not a climate driver, despite the IPCC-inflated estimates of climate sensitivity and CO2 forcing. Is it not a tell-tale sign that the IPCC has continuously, throughout its reporting history, reduced its initially catastrophic estimates for delta T, sea level rise, CO2 forcing, etc. as it has been faced, and faced down, by genuine scientific research highlighting the bureaucratically-alarmist exaggeration? And the surface temperature record, upon which His Highness (in more ways than one) Al Gore so maniacally depends, is fraught with mass monitoring site closures over the decades, non-compliant locations (due in great part to expanding urbanization and heat-island effect - Watts Up With That), as well as outdated min/max thermometer technology. And to boot, the southern hemisphere is actually cooling and has been doing so quite some extended time; thus, at worst, we have very moderate, likely natural, northern area hemispherical warming (NAHW!).
Recent history includes 3 previous "cataclysmic" climate scares - which panned out to be more of a human psychological tendency than a lasting, significant climate event. Al Gore said one must exaggerate the threat so as to give it more impetus. Clearly, he and a legion of green, warmly-funded scientists have given their best effort on behalf of that philosophy - despite its utter lacking in scientific foundation or respectable reason. So all the alarmist should consider cooling it, as the Earth is very soon to do itself, being a helpless subordinate of the Sun.

Bob,

I agree with you whole heartedly. This global warming hoax is just a way to allow the governments of the world to take more freedoms away from people, put more controls and regulations in their lives, reduce choices and to raise taxes. It is primarily driven by a bunch of "religious" people who worship the creation instead of the Creator. This leads to the responses they have -- they attack peoples' character but won't debate the facts.

I work for Chrysler and miss having you as one of our leaders.

Keep up the good work and don't let people tell you what to say and how to say it -- it is so refreshing when someone actually speaks their mind!

Mr. Lutz,

My husband and I are looking for a new car. While we are not 'tree huggers' we find it unseemly that you are so dismissive of global warming. It is too much like cigarette executives who denied and denied that smoking could cause lung cancer.

Please be assured we will not be buying a GM car after your comments. With attitudes such as yours it is unsurprising that Americans are choosing other companies than yours.

I agree with Bob Lutz. I think global warming is a crock of ****. there is science on both sides of the issue, we don't know if it is cyclical, we don't know what causes it. The issue has become political bull****.

I agree with you on the science but more importantly admire your steadfastness in the face of opposition. Way to go!

Mr Lutz

I appreciated the refreshing honesty earlier, and I understood it was your view and not GM's. Even better, I agree with your personal view. And I also think you hit the nail on the head here. It doesn't matter what you personally believe about global warming. The fact is, plenty of people have been fooled, and are willing to pay big money so that they look righteous in front of their peers. For GM to not cater to that crowd would be foolish. Sure its annoying for the rest of us who see through the commercialization, the corruption, and the hypocrisy, but I can't blame GM for taking advantage of it, especially if they are criticized by the media if they don't. Obviously this whole thing has been fueled by the funding of the companies that have a vested interest in creating environmental hysteria. As long as you keep making cars for those of us who understand that, feel free to also make these so-called green cars.

Sir: You are a smug little man who should probably quit while he is ahead. GM will continue on its due course to the ash heap of history, with or without you.

Good to see someone telling it like it is. I'm tired of fellow Americans and other countries saying we're destroying the earth. GM is building cars for all sorts of people. If 'green' is your thing then buy a GM hybrid. Unfortunately many people rely on the government to solve our problems when government is the problem. Market forces are the way to go and not politically correct congress people with their heads so far (well you know) telling us what to do.
Oh, and the ice is mysteriously back:
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/global_warming_or_cooling/2008/02/19/73798.html?s=sp&promo_code=4582-1

Charlie H
Do they live in 20,000 sq. ft. houses? Do they strip-mine? Do they smelt aliminum, build jets from it and fly to Cancun on vacation?" No... AlGore does!

Bob,

I completely agree with your "Crock..." comment about Global Warming. Your candor is refreshing. You are right about the progress GM has made to date and the exciting vehicles on the horizon. The Volt could change everything for GM, the consumer and the environment. GM is lucky to have a leader like you, Bob. Every car maker should have a business leader who loves cars pointing the way to the future.

Thank you.
Dan D

Bob,
God bless you, you are absolutely correct. Apparently Chicken Little is alive and well in the MSM and the Environmental Movement.

Bob,

I just read all the comments, and most of them are thinking in the same direction. Please do not bother for the handful people who just want to catch others words and publicize it. The whole world is with you. Keep your spirits high as we get energy from you.

Best Regards
Neelu

You go, Bob!

Come on Lutz, confess. Your crackpot faithbased hatred of climatology has set GM in exactly the wrong direction.

Come on over to a real environmental blog and defend yourself, if you dare.

Yeah, I'm calling you a coward and blaming you for destroying the US automotive manufacturing base. Toyota already has a plugin hybrid hypercar. With over 150 mpg.

Meet us on gristmill...

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/22/143252/110

Bring your posse no problem.

Just an addition : We should unshackle the American worker and lobby Congress to allow GM to compete in the smaller vehicle market. We should stop the foreign investment and tech-transfer that is hurting the US.

I'll be surprised if this gets posted, as any and all critical comments have clearly been filtered - abusive or not.

I'd just like Bob to know that as his career enters its twilight's twilight, this will be one of his last memorable public statements, and will be what he is remembered for. Helluva legacy. Even more unfortunate is that he uttered it just as we're beginning to observe the beginning of most plainly destructive results of man-forced climate change.

Much credit goes to Bob for his outsized personal contribution to our world's decline.

Right on! The whole global warming thing is indeed the biggest steaming pile ever. I'm so glad somebody like you has the balls to just say it like it is. It's BS! I mean total BS! And the people who get suckered into it are so blind to reality it's pathetic. I cannot wait for this era of ignorance to be behind us. Thanks Mr. Lutz for saying what you said! Gosh, I wish more people would just get a clue already.

Bob Lutz,
I, too, have the same opinions as you do. The fact that you get criticized becaused you go against popular ignorant beliefs just shows how the American media is one sided and close minded. When one says that global warming is caused not by humans but by something else, one is assumed to be ignorant and misinformed. However, when people like Al Gore put out a documentary about global warming that is one sided, close minded, misinformed, and overall exaggerated, they are praised and win awards. People in America truly are stupid, to be frank.

Crock - Good for you!! It is about time a businessman stood up against the PC %$#@(*&^.

This incident reminds me of the childhood story "The King has no clothes." The truth often riles a blustering non thinker. (No apologies to Al Gore, the inventor of internet)

The warming's being measured (albeit, the series is short). The increasing CO2 is being measured. We know that human CO2 production is of over 100x greater volume than postulated volcanic emissions, on average. There is a plausible mechanism linking these phenomena. What is your better theory?

Even if the CO2 is not causing the warming, the CO2 is increasing rapidly, and to levels that have not prevailed during industrial civilization or current geographic settlement patterns...

And none of this is really in dispute by anyone who bothers to look at the data.

Some people just seem to get bored or tired or feel ornery, and would rather talk about crockery. As many posters here have pointed out, that is their right. But it doesn't sound very forward-looking, and perceptions matter in business...don't they?

OMG! Crock of S**t! Brilliant! Just Brilliant!

I find it amazing that what we do here on Earth is causing global warming on the other planets in our solar system.

Yes, global warming does exist, within normal geological variations on this planet.

I don't see how economically destroying the USA will alter increased solar activity and other natural processes that are causing the present global warming.

You're right, Bob ... global warming is a crock of sh*t.

Bob:

Your leadership is the crock not global warming. Are you really serious when you say your personal ideas and beliefs are not incorporated into how you behave at work? You have to be kidding me! All the employees who thought they were working for the good of the environment now "know" that their boss thinks it is all a crock! That does not affect your leadership? Come on.

For those of us old enough it sure sounds like 1970's all over again. As the US Auto makers were saying no one wants small cars, the energy crisis was a "crock" and they would "go out of business if forced to put on emissions control", Toyota and Honda were making small cars, making them reliable and making them energy efficient.

Then you and your cronies woke up and found that you had lost 30% of the market.

Sir, YOU and YOUR PEERS are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for destroying the US Auto industry. It has been under YOUR WATCH that new upstart companies have cleaned your clock. This is yet another example of the backward thinking of the US Auto industry.

Glad to hear there's some straight thinkers at GM!! Way to go Mr. Lutz!

Global warming is a total scam designed to curry global political control by self-described environmental experts.

Thinking men everywhere know it's a scam, that needs to be cut down by direct comments like yours. Keep up the great candor!

That said, who doesn't want a cleaner environment anyway! GO CHEVY VOLT! I'm looking forward to that; I own 3 GM vehicles, but also do drive a Ford Escape Hybrid, which I would gladly sell to get a VOLT! How about some solar panels to go with that.

Keep up the great work!
"hoax of the century," so described by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., ranking member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

FINALLY! Someone who is thinking clearly about this non-issue.

The debunking of the Mann "Hockey Stick" graph should be enough for anyone to know that something is fishy regarding this issue.

Consensus in science is not science, it's politics.

Gorebal Warming is not an "opinion" or a "fact" it's nothing more than politics at others expense.

Correlation is not causation and it would do some people well to understand science before opening their pie-hole.

You go Lutz! Don't be intimidated by these ecoterrorist-human hater types, they're punks.

BTW- question the motives of those who seek to silence you or seek to be offended by your comments- they are frauds who are threatened of being unmasked as the charlatans they are and want to silence those who reveal their sham along with their personal self-interest and personal agenda on this issue.

Mr. Lutz,

As a VP for one of the American big 3, I have to admit that I am not all that shocked to hear that one of its leaders holds this view.

Let's set aside the fact of whether or not GW is occuring because it quite honestly is irrelevant at this point.

What is relevant is that a large portion (not 2%) of consumers are looking for leadership from your industry, and you have summed it up really nicely.

If there is a crock of ****, you are holding it, and it is called the U.S. auto fleet.

My proof? How many factories are you closing? How many people are you planning to layoff? ... and why are you having to do so.

Look around you and you will see that Japanese, Korean, and yes.. Chinese cars.. are being created to be efficient, light, and fuel efficient... and consumers are buying them.

the 2% now is the Corvette owners, not the Prius, and perhaps if GM got their head around that at the leadership level, they would put out a car that the market would pay for ... perhaps a premium for.

personal opinion or not, we have been given a glimpse of the current thought leadership , and more than anything I appreciate that.

At least stockholders can make a fair decision now.

Bob,

Way to go! Finally someone who matters states it like it is. Every scientist with an ounce of integrity knows that "Global Warming" is a political and now even a religious movement, NOT a scientific reality. The reason GM is coming back (TWO cars on Car and Driver's 10 Best? Awesome!). The reason why GM has come back is dogged determination like yours that says we're not playing second to the Japanese or Germans and we CAN BEAT them!

Mr Lutz,
Before giving the appearance of belittling others who have a different opinion, maybe you should explore ways to overcome the record $39B loss at GM. Your kind of thinking by GM execs in the 70s is exactly what led to GM in this state today.
When I think about all that has happened with the US auto industry, only one thing comes to mind, the Executive Management of the Big 3 let everyone down. And it is due such brash thinking of yours (compare to making cars that dont last too long so people have to buy more often) is what let them down. But you need to be aware that this affects millions of workers who are dependent on the industry and have to go through needless suffering so that you can get your demeaning opinions out in public.

Next time you want to play with the futures and fortunes of all those who work and toil for your kind to make millions in bonuses, give it a rest, smoke a cigar, and let those fumes out elsewhere.

Bob,
I have been saying the same thing for months on end. The facts are the facts and they continue to lead to climate change but not global warming. I would not want the alarmists on my jury, there would be no looking at the facts, just watching another movie and becoming a believing robot. This year already is a big disappointment to the alarmists because NASA is already saying this year will not be a record "hot" year. Now they have gone into depression. By the way, I have to say that I love my country. I always have, through good and bad times and will until I die. I would also like to mention that I would die for my country, and nearly did.

I'm glad I've made the choice not to own a GM vehicle for over 15 years.

GM was a good company. Roger Smith and the rest of the bean-counters and yes; even you Bob, have left a bad taste in the world's mouth.

GM most definately is a crock of sh*****.

Bob,

You are correct, GW *is* a crock.

It seems the ones ripping you aren't old enough to remember the 70's, when cars were huge, they belched raw gasoline and got horrible gas mileage...

What did the Deciders of Opinion fret about at that time?

GLOBAL COOLING.

It's a trendy thing to frighten people into turning to the Mommy Government for help. this fear mongering is one reason I don't own a tv.

And to think that these people who attack you actually think that the science is settled is dumbfounding.

SCIENCE IS NEVER SETTLED. Just ask Niels Bohr, look him up.

All good things and best of luck turning GM around.

Regards.

Mr. Lutz - Thanks for the courage to speak your mind. It's good to push for more efficiency, less waste and less CO2/noxious emissions from our autos and every other aspect of our lives. Most humans know this without being told. They also want to have jobs, food and shelter and to see their offspring do a little better than they did for themselves. The vast majority of Americans have no use for the zealotry of eco-Puritanism. We all need to speak up and drown out the noisy fringe in our society and across the water.

I am all for getting off foreign oil, but this anthropogenic global warming is "a crock" Hope that isn't considered plagarism. What casues all weather on Earth? The Sun!! There is so little data on the true workings/temperature fluctuations of our sun. Just like our climate, it is always in a state of flux. How about all those huge solar flares a couple years ago? Think the changes in the sun leading up to them and after them will impact our weather here? Based on sunspot analysis, sounds like global cooling may beon the way.

Where I live the ice was once a mile thick, where I live was once a tropical paradise. Venus, Mars and even Pluto has shown evidence of warming. Was that anthropogenic? I'm all for taking care of the planet. Solar and wind power the way to go. For those that say ethanol, do you know what a huge byproduct of ethanol is? CO2!!! Takes a lot of energy to make it. You know what one of the major reasons our economy is tanking? The cost of food! So much is based on the price of corn that has sky rocketed over the past few years. We will go down as the greatest nation on Earth to burn up it's food supply to try and stop a natural occuring process. Kyoto? Carbon tax? Yeah, India and China exempt? Putin the environmentalist? Sounds like a lot of people stand to make a lot of money in that bureaucratic BS! selling pollution credits.

We all heard about the massive chunks of ice breaking off Antarctica a couple years ago. Funny how we don't hear about how it is now 30% larger than the historical average. The ice broke off because it is GROWING!

thanks bob for having the courage to stand up to the completely fictional boogey man spook story of global warming that's intentions were invented to round up and rally all the everyday socialists behind a fraudulent lie where every good socialists goal is to ultimately destroy the free market capitalist engine. i thank you for being a non capitulating hero in the fight against the lie of global warming.

mike in a relatively cool phoenix

ps the big yellow one is the sun, that's the cause if any of (cue menacing announcer voice)"global warming" but socialist wont go after that, no human moral to ruin and bring down to the lowest common denominator.

Bravo Mr. Lutz! Your comment about the latest "liberal" fake crisis (in the 1970s it was "global cooling-forzen -earth-by-the-80's", in the 80s "acid rain", "deforrestation", "save-the-rain-forrest", 90s "ozone depletion") is the same as that held by the overwhelming majority.
Is concern for our environment a good idea. You bet it is! Is an irrational movement based on feelings vice considering all the facts a good idea? No.
Very very few "liberal-proponents" of the "global warming" craze are being honest about the entire situation (which indicates a lack of complete honesty, full comprehension and knowledge, and nothing but a political agenda to hype). For example 30-40 years ago - the auto industry of the USA lead the way (globally) in technological innovations that produced the cleanest engine-exhaust emissions in the world. Fact is - today's air quality in the USA is much cleaner than it was then, with more autovehicles on the roads than ever, and much cleaner than any other nation on earth (honest "global warming alarmists" who have ever traveled to any other nations must admit to themseleves and all that this is fact). Do the "global warming" fanatics recognize or acknowledge this fact. No. Why not?
"Global warming" alarmists do not even admit that science "by consensus" is not science -that upon which their latest holy grail of "climate change" is based. It is in fact - an inconvenient consensus and at the same time a convenient act of blatant propaganda and refusal to even participate in a full-range debate on this subject -that allows these fear mongers to get away with what is in reality nothing but a political agenda (which is anti-capitalist, pro-socialists, tyrannical central government dictatorship by micro-managing controlling-maniacs, anti-USA, massive theft of the people via more unaccountable taxation, ...).
Another inconvenient fact that these people willfully ignore is that GM and others of the USA auto industry have lead the way - for decades - and continue to do so now - in lowering all harmful combustion-engine emissions.
Mr. Lutz and GM - keep up your good works by producing products that most Americans like and want - that are also - environmentally clean while providing work for millions and millions of people world-wide and ignore the hype of the political movement disguised as "concern for the environment".

I grew up in Detroit in the 1950s. My dad’s best friend was VP for sales of Chrysler Corp. In the late ‘50s when Detroit automobile products became larger, my father suggested to his best friend that automobiles of the ‘30s were better sized. In his opinion, cars were becoming too large for routine transportation. As a boy very interested in cars, I remember the conversation well. My dad’s best friend explained that the labor costs were the same to build a small car as a large car and there was only about $50 difference in materials cost. Nevertheless, the public was willing to pay more for large cars. There was more profit in larger cars. It was a business decision by Detroit auto makers to emphasize larger cars and leave the small car market to foreign makers. Detroit more or less gave that market away. Besides, it would saddle foreign companies with the lower profit sector.

For several reasons, including but not limited to cheaper fuel, longer driving distances, lack of public transportation, and lower population density, the American market favored (and still does) larger automobiles. Europe was the only foreign competition in the 1950s. In the 1960s Japanese makers came into the market with more small cars. Both of these foreign regions had more crowded roads and higher fuel taxes. They needed small cars, almost the opposite market to America. On top of those disadvantages for American manufacturers, there was, and is, a political climate in foreign regions that dictate against American products by charging punitive import duties, plus behind the scenes manipulations against American companies. There was really a conspiracy deep within foreign markets against American automobiles. Very little has changed to this day except we have people in our own country who truly hate business and they have successfully done grievous harm to us.

If the Ralph Naders of the world had left the American auto manufacturers alone, they would have continued to make corporate decisions based on market forces. The American automobile companies would have continued to be wildly profitable. The employees would have continued receiving good health and retirement benefits. Yes, Detroit would have continued to build larger cars with little attention to the European or Japanese markets. Those Americans who wished to do so could have purchased smaller foreign cars. Detroit would not care because the small car market is less profitable. All would have been happiness. But the jealous socialists Joan Claybrooks, Ralph Naders, and Al Gores of the world could not stand seeing business success. It is nothing but green eyed jealously. And guess who suffers? The American worker, that’s who!

Now we are living in a new world due to the changing petroleum market. Every barrel of oil we buy out of the Middle East has a military cost to the American public of about $7 a barrel because we must protect the transportation system. In addition to protecting the oil transportation system for America, our military is protecting it for the rest of the world too. This is the main reason that President Bush is visiting Africa, because we plan to shift somewhat to African Oil imports in the next 10years. As anyone who watches the news can see, terrorists are moving to Africa because there is a conscious decision on the part of Al Queda to attack the West through asymmetrical methods in Africa, just as in the Middle East. There is more complexity to this, but it is not rocket science. Unfortunately, our leaders have not taken the time and effort to educate the American public about these trends. To do so, might go against another religion, Globalization and Multiculturalism. It is not working. We already allowed a bunch of foreigners to bleed out Chrysler at American expense. Is the same planned for GM? I hope the corporate people have better sense than to let that happen again.

For pete's sake people, take Lutz with a grain of salt. if you haven't noticed by now, Bob is an old curmudgeon that speaks his mind.

I think it is easy for people that do not like American automobile manufacturers to use what Lutz says as an excuse for more bashing.

In my honest opinion - that cantankerous old fart is responsible for turning GM around. Personally, I enjoy what he says and love the fact that he doesn't pander himself to the media.

Keep speaking your mind Bob. Don't let the "greenies" steal your voice because unfortunately most level headed americans that think the same as you aren't allowed a voice. Global Warming is a CROCK.

Fifty years ago when I first got interested in cars, GM had 56% of the US auto market.

They now have considerably less market share.

In between times we have had financial disaster after financial disaster and reorganization after reorganization. All to no avail.

My view of GM, reinforced by the history of the last half century, is that this is a company going backwards as fast as the management bureaucracy will let it. I am not particularly happy about that. It's been disheartening to watch an American company coming in last in the race for the hearts, minds and wallets of the American consumer, while their more progressive rivals are so far down the road that GM management can't even see them, let alone catch up.

The big losers in this story of GM management, with their heads firmly placed in the sand, aren't the series of overpaid executives parroting the bureaucratic group think over the years, but the workers who've had their economic well being thrown away by those who were suppose to be their bosses, who were suppose to know better.

The big losers have been the towns, cities and counties devastated by the decimation of their tax bases brought on by the poor management decisions of GM.

The big losers have be you and me, as wealth has been take out of the America away from our shores never to return.

I wish it weren't so, I wish GM was the American version of Honda or Toyota, but it's not and probably never will be if Mr. Lutz's comments are any indication of the mindset of GM management and I'm sure it is.

It is the nature of bureaucracies to protect themselves first and then get on with the business at hand second. Breaking that cycle is difficult. The result in the case of GM has been the history of the last fifty years. Mr Lutz's comments are to be expected placed in the context of that history. Unfortunately he isn't the person to turn the ship around, maybe that person doesn't exist, who knows.

The past is prologue as Mr Lutz's comments and GM's continued decline so aptly prove.

Bob,
You are right that global warming is a crock. Keep speaking the truth. The rest of the U.S. and world are behaving as brainwashed, close minded robots. Remember how CFC's were destroying the ozone? The molecular weight of CFC's is over 100, air is about 29. CFC's cannot get into the atmosphere other than shooting them with a rocket. CFC's destroying the ozone is about a logical as lead balloons disrupting migratory bird patterns. Notice how the ozone crisis has disappeared? Obviously the propoganda machine for that fell apart, due to our lack of understanding.

Global warming is so unscientific I could scream; it is a belief system. No tested models (just computer simulations that are wrought with tons of assumptions and predispositions.)

Look up the "green house" gases in the atmosphere and the respective percentages. The biggest component of green house gases is water vapor. We have one hundred years of temperature data (plus or minus) out of the earths age. We don't understand the energy cycle the sun goes through, the natural cycles of the oceans, the natural cycles of the plants. People are blinding following an idea based on agendas.

Look at some of the biggest proponents of the global warming. They say it is happening but DO NOTHING ABOUT IT PERSONALLY. See Hollywood, politicians, musicians, etc etc. If they really believed it, they would live it themselves and not expect someone else to do it. It is the same hypocritical living as Osama Bin Laden. If it is the best to be a martyr, why isn't he first in line?

Add it all up, and you have what you aptly described, A CROCK.

We forget that we are all entitled to our opinions. And the fact that GM is doing more for environmental car and truck production now is a sign that we can our own opinions on global warming yet work to make the world a more sustainable place. Great job Bob! Now get those G8s over here!
Eric

Bob, you are right. Global warming is a crock! Bravo!

Congratulations. You are one of the few leaders of industry willing to tell the truth about global warming.
Data from Britain's Climate Research Unit show the following:
Earth warmed about 0.8 degress in the 20th century
Warming peaked in 1998.
2007 was 0.143 degrees cooler than 1998.
2007 was cooler than 2006,2005,2004,2003,2002 and 2001.
During the last 10 years CO2 rose 5% with no net warming.
Dec 2007 was cooler than Dec 1987. - 20 years with CO2 rising 10% and no net warming.
Latest GISS data show Jan 2008 is 0.28 degrees cooler even than Dec 2007.Earth is cooling fast.
The IPCC anthropogenic warming paradigm is flawed to the point of fraudulence.
Solar studies suggest that the earth may be entering a 20 - 40 year cooling period.This would be be a far greater threat to humanity tham a little warming.We may well need to increase CO2 emissions because while CO2 has little effect on temperature ( the forcing equation is logarithmic) increasing CO2 would increase crop production in the least environmentally harmful way.There are abundant scientific papers supporting the above positions.I would be happy to provide Bob with the references. Please publicize these facts whenever you can - Thanks

Unenlightened arrogance like this, which places profits before the interests of the nation and the world, is the reason why Toyota is number one and GM is going down the toilet.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. GM is committed to the environment and is building environmentally friendly vehicles.

That, Mr. Lutz is the biggest crock of ****.

Frankly, I'm not surprised at all that you said this Bob. But I am surprised that you don't have GM's marketing department banging down your door. After all, they spend tons of money hyping the "green-ness" of your cars and you contradict them in one short, tactless phrase. If I were them I'd be more than a little pissed. You're making their job of convincing people that GM cares at all about the environment much more difficult.

Dear Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for having the guts to stand up to the scam of human caused global warming. Billions are being spent on trying to stop the cyclical affect of the sun instead of on adapting to the changes or on so many other more important things that we humans can affect like education, poverty, medical advancements, etc. We should still be conservation minded by not being wasteful, but lets focus on what we can do and not pour money into programs and to dictatorial governments that to nothing to benefit mankind. Keep speaking out. Someone has to.

Thank you for your candor, Mr. Lutz. The idea that a slight change in the temperature of the Earth is caused by a gas that humans are created to expel with every breath they take is utterly ridiculous. It does not stand up to scientific experimentation, which is why green fundamentalists must vilify people such as you in the press.

More people need to stand up and tell the environmental movement to shut it. The goal of the green movement is control over human life, not about the environment.

Keep it up.

Sir - Keep posting your opinions on the subject. There is no conflict between environmental protection, improved fuel economy and the view that "GW" is a "crock". It is a sorry state when so many executives feel the need to get on the GW bandwagon with Al Gore rather than providing an honest assessment. There are quite a few of us in the scientific community who do not agree with the "consensus" but rather see a great deal of contradictory information and maintain our healthy scientific skepticism. It is nice to see someone in the business community standing up to the political correctness of this situation that is so negatively impacting the research and science that must be done to really understand climate and the environment. I applaud you.

I'm with you Bob! And I was going to go with another Toyota, but this leads me to think maybe GM management could be clear-minded, strong, fearless, adult and serious - so now I'm eager to think again about GM product. Thanks.

Mr. Lutz,

Thank you for standing firm in your beliefs on 'global warming'.

Global Warmings 'Inconvenient Truth' #1 It's Consensus of the Cyclically Challenged.
#2 It's not man made.

Bob-

If you - and presumably other GM execs - believe that global warming is a "crock," then isn't the company's effort to develop green technology really an effort to capitalize on a market trend (e.g. make money) and fend off regulators, rather than a genuine concern for the future of the planet? See, e.g., the E.V.

Also, as the Vice Chairman of a huge, visible company, what you say does matter.

Many of us work for the auto industry or are car enthusiasts. But just reading these comments, one can see how much old school groupthink and denial still exist in our industry. GM has been advertising heavily and developing some great new products, to try to foster a greener image. Senior management needs to not undermine that with off the cuff remarks that are easily misinterpreted and spread all over the internet. Are we really doing enough? For at least 10 years we've been in denial, skewing our mix to guzzling sport utes in order to satisfy "what our customers wanted." Yes we need to build those vehicles, but they need to get better and consume fewer resources. And they need to be part of a total, small to large product line mix which GM is only now really making competitive. Wouldn't it have been great if GM had been the first one out with a Prius? We could all have gone with pride in front of our neighbors who buy Toyotas and Hondas and show what we've done. They buy those vehicles because as a whole, they are more socially responsible, as well as high in quality. We need to appeal to those markets as well as the more "testosterone driven" ones. It's not news that we have been losing market share as more and more people want more economical and responsible transportation. Let's work on the entire mix. I can't wait to own a GM hybrid that gains 10% to 40% in fuel economy, without breaking my pocketbook. I plan to buy one, a new Malibu, Vue, or hopefully Acadia crossover, when I need my next new car. We've had an Acadia for a year now and I love it; great job executing that vehicle. However it could be better; it still only gets all around, average 19.5 mpg. It could probably be 500 pounds lighter, and have smaller lighter wheels for less inertia and rolling resistance. Keep up the good work, but I hope as an organization we really keep economy and sustainability top among our values, and maintain that attitude internally and in our public image.

Bob, Thank you for adding you voice to those who take the time to honestly research this subjct and then have the courage to speak out in opposition to the conventional wisdom. The sun is what really controls earth's temperature and right now and for the near term is actually in a cooling phase. So accordingly the earth will be cooling as well. Giving in to "chicken little" thinking will destroy our economy. Thank you again for lending the weight of your voice to those of us who have no "bully pulpit" My deepest regards sir.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I recently read a quote that sums up what we all are going though in this current day and age:

"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
- Charlton Heston (1924-)

Can you spell, “Nine-teen-eighty-four”? Double-speak, indeed.

I'm writing to back you up on the global warming issue.

My father, Mr. John F. Pope, was an expert on the environment. In his life he was approached by professors, editors, public officials and Forestry Department heads to speak about ‘Global Warming’.

What was his Ph.D? Repeated exposure to the environment itself, one cork boot at a time.

In his 76 year lifetime (which, unfortunately came to an end 2 years ago) he walked tens of thousands of miles of the forests of Oregon. A natural scientist, with an IQ in the genius band, he studied every bit of ground he walked on - what lived there, what didn't and HOW it all worked together.

On the subject of global warming, he studied everything he could get his hands on and had countless conversations with ‘experts’ on both sides of the global warming ‘crock,’ as you so eloquently put it.

How did my dad come in such close contact with the environment? He was a logger.

Yes, an "evil logger". We used to laugh about that after seeing a Dick Tracy comic where the villain was "The Evil Logger." What propaganda.

You've had a long life, Mr. Lutz. Have you ever met an "evil logger"? Well, provided he didn't have too many Schlitz Malt Liquor's packed away? lol

Nor have I. Just hard working men who wanted to provide for their families and to supply lumber for people to have shelter and for the most natural of the naturalists to have their very own, 10-foot-high, high beam ceilings in their multi-million dollar homes.

"The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it."
- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

My point in telling you this is that there are small groups of experts who have been speaking out against this notion of global warming for the last 20 - 25 years. They speak out against the foreboding warnings about global warming, even though they feel the self-righteous wrath of the self-appointed "politically correct".

So welcome to the club, Sir. We're glad to have you.

If I may, I'll leave you with one more quote.

"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
- H. G. Wells (1866-1946)

Please continue your good work in the maelstrom. :)

I agree with Uday's comments. I don't disagree with Mr. Lutz's comments about global warming, but it's a bit disconcerting that a GM executive would make a comment in such a way that would draw attention to him and the company in a negative light.

It's not a "freedom of speech" issue, as someone implied. This is a pet peeve of mine. The government is not getting involved and telling Mr. Lutz what he can and cannot say.

If the general public want to criticize him, that's their right and their free speech.

That said, words do have consequences and I'm afraid that Mr. Lutz saying "crock of s***" makes the company look bad and he should, with his experience, no better.

If he were in politics, he could say whatever he wants. But, he's a highly paid executive of a public company, and an important one at that.

Sometimes, you gotta know when to keep your mouth shut.

Thank you, Mr. Lutz. My current and next car will be a GM. If we made a purposful, global attempt to raise the temperature of this planet, we couldn't do it. To think that after millions of years of belching volcanoes our tiny output of CO2 can change the climate of this planet is the peak of arrogance.
Thanks again,
John M. Memoli

Mr. Lutz,

Thank you for your courageous "crock" declaration! Obviously, few people realize that the National Science Foundation formally invalidated the IPCCs "high temperature claims", or, that atmospheric CO2 increases result from (lagging by 800 years), rather than cause, global warming. Given the world's hunger & poverty problems, it's especially tragic that this political fraud paints CO2 as undesirable, rather than the lifeblood of food production and a critical nutrient which once helped the Vikings to farm Greenland, when it wasn't so icy.

Please continue to promote the easily researched truth about this globalist tax swindle, despite the Kool Aid drinkers.

I love free speech, even free moronic speech. You qualify, Bob, babe.

Mr. Lutz:
Like it or not, you are the most visible face of GM to the general public. The face you presented does not help the corporation you so enthusiastically claim to support. I also suspect it bears little relationship to the truth. Through your irresponsible comments on a subject about which I question your credentials, you have given comfort to those whose concern for the future extends no further than their own lives.

I cannot claim any real expertise on the subject, but I'll wager I know more about it than the average "global warming hoax" proponent. And not one of the several such people I have talked with has given me so much as inkling how they think we can avoid global warming when we:

1. dump signficant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere;
2. reduce the biosphere's ability to remove such gases from the atmosphere while simultaneously decreasing the albedo of the earth's surface.

Perhaps you could explain that to me so that I too could realize that global warming is a "crock" invented by a bunch of kooky left wing nutcases. Until you, or someone does, I shall continue too regard global warming as the greatest threat to the survival of humanity.

What don't you understand?

1) Carbon dioxide absorbs energy.

2) We are releasing carbon dioxide through burning lots of fossil fuels.

3) There is now more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than at any time in the last 1 million years and it is increasing rapidly.

4) The surface of the Earth is warming and this is a risk to us and especially our children.

These are easily demonstrable facts.

Bob,

Let's forget for a moment whether global warming is 'real' or not. It does seem a bit tactless to have made a statement that could alienate your potential customers, no matter how few, no matter how misguided you think they are.

And 'ragweed?' Sure, why not alienate the internet community while you're at it.

These are negative remarks, Bob, and you could've avoided making them altogether. Is this what you call doing "what makes the most business sense for GM?" You know that your remarks made Reuters today, don't you? Glad I don't own GM stock.

I will say, you seem to be in close touch with your inner blowhard.

Without a retraction of your global warming comment and a statement that you now understand the seriousness of the global warming risk, for the sake of my children, I cannot consider buying GM products.

Bob, you are right on. "Man made global warming" is a scam. Maybe if all the man made GW crowd held their breaths we could reduce CO2 emissions.

Bob,

By forming a "big picture" of GM, I, as a concerned consumer, have always seen GM as a dinosaur of a company, desperately holding on to its market share with ridiculous products like the Suburban. Now that you have expressed your opinion on global warming, its clear that GM is only interested in its public image and not actually helping to save the environment.

You antiquated view on the world is what made the American industrial sector the joke of the world. We need people with a genuine progressive view of the world, not your finite, ignorant, fact denying, unscientific, imbecilic view. You are why America is falling behind.

I don't buy anything or select certain companies because they are "green". i buy what and from whom has what i want

In 1948 I was given stock in GM. It did well; I loved those special Xmas dividends. I sold it shortly after riding in a 240Z which was perfectly built and cheap as--pardon the expression--shit. Proved to be a great car, car company, and a great move on my part. Bob, you are much like those at GM who preceded you---big pay, big jerk.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of so-called global warming. While we should be good stewards of our planet and its resources, I agree with those who see it as a ploy by some to make a buck with something that doesn't even exist: "carbon credits", and by the political elite to control our liberty (which is fading fast).
I may not agree with you on many issues, but you have hit the nail precisely on the head with this issue and I applaud the fact that someone out there in corporate land can actually think for themselves!

"Global warming is a “total crock of ****.” Finally someone with enough guts to tell it like it is. Thank you Bob Lutz!!!
I drove Ford trucks all my life but now because Bob has the fortitude to tell the truth about this "Global Warming Lie", I'll be buying GM's for now on. Thanks, Bob

http://www.junkscience.com/

Only when GM cars are low cost safe and run on junk mail and car brochures will we believe that the personal beliefs of GM directors and management about stuff like global warming and their financial positions in the energy and fuel industries don't affect the kinds of cars they build.

What really is a crock is that you claim to want to take GM out of the picture when you put things out like the escalade. GM's has a serious lack of leadership when it revolves around user studies and focus groups. You want to know why your sales are sinking, just look to the lack of leadership on serious issues that some believe to be important. It's true that we shouldn't care what you think, but you want to know what people have against the brand, just look to irresponsible comments from management and their actions of blaming GMs bad designs and initiatives on the unions. I suggest a serious rebranding effort.

Mr Lutz, thank you for your voice of sanity in an insane discussion.
Those who believe in the "RELIGION" of global warming will shout down and attack anyone who does not believe in their religion. It is a belief structure, it is not science!
As soon as the global warming true believers can explain to me what caused the warming from the LAST (of many) ice age, then I will maybe believe that they have a CLUE of what they are talking about!
Until then, they can't tell us what will happen 5 DAYS from now!
Having said that, kudos to you for continuing to develop and advance new technologies and methods of making our cars run!

With all due respect Mr. Lutz, especially given your impeccable credentials as a corporate car enthusiast, I think your publicly stated views have an influence on internal GM decision-making as well as how the company is viewed by consumers. The truth is GM has been a laggard in the development of hybrid and auto diesel technologies, and your comments will do nothing to change public opinions. Consumers in CA perceive (and reward) Toyota, Honda and BMW as the leaders in alternative engine technology. Which is my perception too, despite all the good changes you have made at GM during the past 5 years. Your actions have consequences: take some responsibility.

Good Job Bob!

Don't let a "consensus of opinion" dictate what we in America should think! We did not make this planet and we couldn't ruin it if we wanted to! "Green" is a code word for regulation, taxation and liberalism! We won't go there not now not ever. Kudos to you!

Wow, good going. I've been planning my 2009-model purchase and was really looking at the Camaro.

Now I guess I'll just stick with a Crossfire like I had planned.

You're a real turd, aren't you? Keep shooting your mouth off.

I agree with your right to an opinion.

I also agree that the anthropogenic global warming theory is a crock and unsubstantiated by science--consensus is not science.

Alex

Mr. Lutz: Keep on with the good work!!! There may be global warming, (although I'm not convinced of that) but why it's warming is the big question. The planet has been cooling and warming for thousands of years.

Mr. Lutz,

Thank God that a major corp executive hasn't drank the "green cool-aid" based on junk science. This "climate change" excrement is a result of a new world religion.

Building more efficent vehicles simply amounts to common sense in today's market as well as being a good stewart of the earth.... but Global Warming?.. that's a crock of sh*t! Thank you for speeking out.

My next new vehicle will be a GM vehicle.

Bob,
My next vehicle is likely to be a GM. I've owned Ford proucts for the last thirty years but your comment comes across like a breath of fresh air.

Bob,

Whether you agree with the scientific community or not regarding global warming - you are entitled to free speech and your own opinion. However, since being seen as "green" is one of GM's biggest PR goals you should at least be savvy enough to restrain your public opinion on the subject. After all, you are GM's most vocal and respected public mouth piece.

I must say that I am disappointed that you have shown such disregard to a subject so important to many GM customers.

John

Bob,

I believe that you have a right to your own beliefs. However, when your beliefs cause people to doubt your employer's dedication to the idea of "greener" cars. A comment like that only causes harms to projects like the VOLT because consumers feel that you and GM only half-heartedly support the goal. This may be wrong, but that's the perspective we get.

You think climate change is a Crock? Are you so foolish as to believe that climate is static? Sir, you may be the real problem here.

Charlie H said "...Friends of mine who are PhD-level chemists and chemical engineers specializing in aerosols, VOCs and similar have followed the research (they're fully qualified to read it all) and believe that Anthropogenic Global Warming - AGW - is a real phenomenon with serious consequences. But, sure, you might be right."

Charlie,
Real scientists say global warming is a trillion dollar gold mine for the hoaxers like Al Gore who squanders carbon based energy as if this were the 1930's.

If there were a consensus of scientists who agree that human caused global warming is real, why do the majority of scientists disagree along with the general population?

If your "friends with PhD's" are qualified to read the articles, ask them about the very real possibility of global cooling as a result of decreased solar activity.

Build and sell what the market place demands.

Give'm Hell Bob!

The PR battle on Global Warming is lost in Canada But hopefully their is hope still in USA.I would suggest leading Corporations should Arrange for leading scientists to debate this issue on TV or even buy space in Newspapers to get "Facts" out.Cost spent would be far less than trying to reduce Co2.
I'm all for better operating costs but not for some organization or government telling me size of vehicle i can operate.

Energy Independence Now!

No more Oil Wars!

Stop funding the terrorists!

Drill in Anwar.

Build more nuclear power plants

Use More coal.

Use more natural gas

Turn trash into energy

Double the efficiency of windmills and solar cells.

If France can do nuclear power so can we.

If Brazil can do biomass/ethanol power so can we.

If Australia can do LNG power so can we.

Domestically produced energy will end recession and spur the economy.

I think you should be dismissed as the crank that you are.

I totally agree with you. I am happy to see people posting supporting you. It seems evident to me that the science does not support man made global warming. It is also evident that the people pushing global warming are the same ones that are benefiting financially from it.

Mr Lutz is a perfect representative of the "Hummer mentality" of yesteryear that will continue to drag GM sales down and lead to more downsizing that gets blamed on everything except their own outdated worldview. In their world tough guys don't care about the planet. Great model, that. Thank goodness such perspectives are no longer relevant (as GM is fast becoming).Mr Lutz is a perfect representative of the "Hummer mentality" of yesteryear that will continue to drag GM sales down and lead to more downsizing that gets blamed on everyt