Inside Colbert Nation…
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
What a week it’s been so far …
First, we had Tuesday’s GMNext centennial celebration and global broadcast, culminating in the reveal of the production Chevrolet Volt, which was a terrific experience. Then Wednesday came an experience I must confess was like no other I’ve had in my career — I was interviewed on The Colbert Report.
I will start off by stating for the record that Stephen Colbert is a comic genius, absolutely manic but absolutely hilarious. He used to do GM Goodwrench TV commercials for us a few years back, FYI. I’d like to thank him and everyone at the show for the opportunity to be a guest. The whole thing was a great time, from the moment we arrived at the studio.
It was an unusual interview, to be sure! As the interviewee, you must understand that he is trying to extract meaningful information, while remaining “in character” as a pompous, self-admiring but largely clueless talk-show host. Satire is one of my favorite things, and that show has it down as well as any.
I was warned not to try to counter his humor with offerings of my own: “He’ll inevitably win. You should just smile, and play it straight.”
I resolved to obey, but lost it as the “interview” began: if one has any sense of humor at all, it’s just impossible not to have it triggered when engaged by Colbert’s brilliant but outrageous persona. It turns out, unfortunately, that “outrageous” is the main bandwidth of my humor, so I found my responses coming reasonably fast and automatically. Although if you see the interview, you’ll notice some pauses on my part. Those pauses were not because I didn’t know what to say; they were time needed to index through and discard the truly dangerous answers!
Once we got going, I think we “connected,” and the time just flew. But “fun challenge” aside, the key facts on Volt came out: 40-mile electric range, great overall range, advanced lithium-ion battery technology and so on. Those facts are now known to the huge Colbert Nation, which consists primarily of millions of educated, successful young people, including many who are not generally predisposed to consider GM cars.
As for Stephen Colbert: totally delightful, charming, funny, sincere off-stage, and obviously brilliant. All in all, an experience as useful as it was unconventional!
- Posted in Bob Lutz
Russell
Absolutely LOVED the interview! I’m curious to know what the response in your brain was when he asked you if the Volt would get him laid.
It got me excited about the car though. 
Bruce Nunnally
Thank you for doing the interview at all. When I first heard you would be on I wondered, has he SEEN the show? But I agree that once the interview got rolling it went about as well as it could have. Thanks you for having a sense of humor about it and being willing to take a chance by going on. The more plain facts that get out to the widest audience, the better for everyone.
Hakim Williams
You were great. It was so hilarious. I swear, I’m getting a Volt as my daily driver and a Camaro SS Convertible as my Weekend Warrior. Such a dynamic duo, but I’m also thinking about getting a Malibu, just because it looks so awesome.
Richard E Archer
MR Lutz
I was very happy to see you do the show. I bet a whole different crowd got to see you. I am very glad to see GM making the car work. I built the same car back in 74-75 at Southern IL University. The
engineering college decided I was crazy so they went and talked to the president. They convinced him to shut down my program even though I had funding from Briggs& Stratton and Firestone. The
car was killed. It still exists in my south forty on the farm. I had one more paper to do on the car. I called a couple of my old students that worked for GM. I told them to get somebody from GM there. I met Dr Wang. He said he was VP for research for GM. I gave him all of my work. I only ask one thing of him—-”keep it alive till its needed”. Well it looks like he kept his end of the bargin. I wish you all the best of luck.
Take Care
Arch
Sorry for the sloppy style. I had a stroke 1 1/2 years ago and tryinh to wright is a chore.
Euroclydon
Towards the end of the interview, Mr Lutz mentions that the Volt will be available with an optional photo-voltaic panel on the roof. But he also told Colbert, “Leave it in a sunny parking lot for two weeks, and you’ll get a full charge.”
Please let us hear more about the “optional” photo-voltaic panel for the roof. Also tell us whether or not Lutz was joking when he said it would take two weeks to get a full charge. How long will it take to charge with the optional photo-voltaic panel? (For sure it can’t be an “overnight” thing.)
Also tell us whether or not Lutz was joking with Colbert during the “man talk” segment when Colbert asked if a Volt would help him attract women. Lutz seemed to be making fun of “no-make up, environmentally correct” women. True? Or was he just caught up in the spirit of the show? (My guess is that he was.)
On a positive note, it was great to see Mr. Lutz has a sense of humor and is not a typical stuffy, senior executive, corporate mogul who is always worried about being politically correct.
bluebaby
Hello Mr. Lutz
Doing his show was good now you should go back to Phil “toyota lovin” Lebou and set the record straight yet again with him, he just loves any negative news when it comes to GM, do you know what car he drives? I bet its a prius! he is so anti- American just like most of so.cal. who loves their hondas and toyotas, keep up the fight and many thanks from all of us GM supporting Americans.
Thanks
Bluebaby
GMisCARKING
Here’s something really interesting: Toyota to Cut Steel Costs (http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=19874).
“Major steelmakers, including Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. , have given Toyota a list some 300 proposals that they believe will help the automaker cut costs, according to the sources.
Based on the proposals, the top Japanese automaker will consider taking specific steps to reduce its production costs, thereby limiting the impact of higher materials prices and boosting its competitiveness, the sources said.
The proposals include the use of the same steel products in different auto models. The steelmakers also proposed that Toyota improve its production methods and reduce the use of steel products with low cost performance.
Toyota is now studying the proposals and intends to run trials for six to 12 months before full implementation, the sources said.
A passenger car requires about one ton of steel, which accounts for about 10 pct of total production costs.”
christopher keene
just saw the interview…laughed til i cryed. sounds like a great car just try to keep it a American made car (or truck….).
Joseph Steig
Bob, I hope you test your cars better than your theories on climate change. That “30,000 scientists who don’t believe in global warming” has been thoroughly debunked. Why don’t you talk to some real scientists and try to understand things a bit instead of just throwing your hat in with the crazies?
Kristy
Great Interview! I watch The Colbert Show daily and I think that is just the kind of press GM needs…thanks for getting the facts out there. As a native of the motor city, I’m rooting for the Volt and GM!
Gary Goggin
Hello from Ireland,
Well done Mr Lutz.. The Colbert report has an audience that will really appreciate what a game changer the Volt really is. Excellent Job!
Ibes
As a lifelong GM fan that grew up with it’s cars and have owned two of them so far, It’s great to see such great products being developed by GM’s most talented and put onto the market for the masses to praise, admire and enjoy. It’s also great to see you connect with millions of viewers who would otherwise not understand the facts that GM is putting forth. With the Volt garnering the world’s attention now and all the positive feedback from the media and bloggers, there is one piece of recent news that I feel has downplayed GM’s recent achievements, and that’s the Pontiac G3.
I understand the G3 is sold in Mexico and Canada, but it is a product that is redundant and unfitting for the Pontiac brand. I also understand GM must adhere to future fuel economy standards and must offer the products that are suited to the current market and economic conditions. GM should not offer products that can hurt a brand’s image and what it stands for. Pontiac always stood for affordable performance, and it’s latest offerings suggested that it is was returning to its performance roots that made it such an iconic brand. Although nothing more than a re-badged Chevrolet Cobalt with tail lights borrowed from the Cobalt sedan, the G5 is excusable because it is an attractive coupe and has some sporting capabilities, and is not a bad entry vehicle into the Pontiac lineup. The G3 is too nothing more than a re-badge, and it’s simply a Chevrolet Aveo with a more attractive nose. The Aveo is currently GM’s least expensive vehicle in it’s North American line up and it suits the Chevrolet brand because it is inexpensive and economic, something Pontiac isn’t. Pontiac stands for affordable performance and exciting styling and the G3 offers non of either whatsoever. It is as plain and economic as the Aveo and shares nothing the Pontiac’s philosophy. GM had mentioned over and over again that Pontiac return to it’s performance roots in order to improve the brand’s and GM’s image and market share. Instead what was a better looking Aveo badged as a Pontiac. I understand that GM needs to save money in as many was as possible but I don’t think it should do so at the expense of a recovering brand’s image. I feel this G3 will damage Pontiac’s reputation and in the process damage GM’s as well. GM suffered because of badge engineering before and it will feel the pain again this time. GM cannot afford to hurt itself anymore and it needs to concentrate on rebuilding each brand’s reputation with superior products to regain market share and return to profitability. I hate to say this, but the G3 is a stark reminder of the awful and forgettable 1986-1994 Pontiac Le Mans, a car that too had plain styling and no performance capabilities. GM should be learning from it’s mistakes, not repeating them. I am not against badge-engineering as long as there are no identical cars sold within the same market.
91 s-10 Baja
Yes, thank you sir Lutz for showing us your humorous side, it truly was refreshing, entertaining.
Josh Oliver
I…like Bruce wondered aloud “Has Maximum seen the Colbert Report?” Then your e-mail response followed that yes, you really were going on the show. I normally TiVo the show due to being in bed but I waited up for this nights show.
ABSOLUTELY GENIUS performance on the show and after the initial 2 minutes the interview was fabulous the remaining 4 minutes.
I’m just a bit miffed at one thing. My Solstice never has gotten me laid….but you’re willing to bet the Volt will?
I’m counting on your words, Mr. Lutz. I’m counting on your words.
Josh E. Oliver
Edward Hayes
Thanks Colbert,
Thanks for appreciating the breakthrough technology of the Chevy Volt while still appreciating the equally exceptional and superior off-road prowess of Hummer. We don’t want GM to take another big leap forward just to cancel out its excellence by taking a big leap backwards in its off road dominance. Then what have we done? We have only gone in circles.
The photovoltaic (gosh I hope my spelling isn’t that bad) feature on the Volt is a great feature that I have not heard about. Seems the more I hear about this car the more I love it. Don’t get me wrong, I will hug a tree just as tightly as the next guy, heck I grew up in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, over a million uncut acres of prestine never touched pine forests with tea colored streams, stunted pine, and white beach sand soil in the most densely populated state in the country. Over 1,000 people per square mile, while Wyoming for example has 2 per square mile. The poor soil was the reason why the forest was never cut for farms, settlement and deverlopment, thank God.
So I do appreciate the open space, but we need vehicles like Hummer or you will not even be able to see most of the Pine Barrens.
Bottom Line?
Customer wants one thing, EVERYTHING.
So GM’s prowess needs to reign throughout the spectrum of automotive options. To give up one for the other we are simply gerbals on the spinning wheel. Endlessly going everywhere we think, while never really going anywhere.
Let me put it this way, over the next 10 years Americans will buy 150 million new vehicles, the majority of them will likely by profitable trucks. So tell me, you really want to risk the fact that Toyota may yield the expert card on off-roading with say the FJ and risk taking the gleam off of every single truck GM sells for decades.
Where have we seen this battle play out and lost by Detroit before?
Jonpaul
Hi Mr Lutz.
Thanks for being on the Colbert nation, you have won me over with your Volt. I’m the kind of guy who likes electric cars, and like the no make-up, environmentalist ladies. Though we don’t agree on environmental science, I thank you for even putting yourself out there and starting the dialogue. I agree, useful and unconventional, and great PR in my opinion.
Fred
I thought it was great. Of course a lot of people on the internet are tearing it apart and just… well you know they are. What I thought was really interesting though was how positively the audience reacted. I think people are very very ready for this car. Even at the “outrageous” price of $40,000 I don’t think you’ll have any problem selling every single one of them.
I seem to be getting more and more excited about the car, and I liked it from the beginning. The beautiful interior and exterior design, all the gadgets and LCDS, and of course all the perks that come along with an electric car. I’m also really hoping this car will be fun to drive. From what I understand this car’s underpinnings come from the same people who made the Astra, which is something I’m certainly ok with.
Jos Ferguson
Great job Bob. Your responses fit well with his style.
Dave Tuttle
Bob,
I’m a big fan of yours… and we may have a debate on things like global warming… but you are doing great things despite your particular opinion about climate change.. the next time you get a Colbert-like baiting on your position of global warming why don’t you say “look, there are a lot of reasons for the US to import less and consume a lot less oil.. whether you are concerned with sending our gasoline dollars to oil producing countries who hate us and support terrorism, worsening our oil-driven trade deficit by about $700 billion dollars a year (mortgaging our future), energy security, the geopolitical entanglements that arise from our addition to oil, or CO2 emissions.. then bold new technologies like the Chevy Volt can make a huge difference”.
PS: next stop for you should be “The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart”.. you want to let that show’s demographic understand what your are doing with the Volt.
CDAVIS
_____________________________________________________________________________
You did a great job on the Colbert show.
Very funny!
You also did a good job getting the VOLT word out on that show; thats not easy to do.
Thanks!
CDAVIS
_____________________________________________________________________________
teidsmore
Loved the interview. For years now I’ve been rooting for GM to pull through these times and get back to making great passenger cars so to see you talk about the Volt on Colbert Report, which I love, was fantastic. Doing this showed many young American’s that GM isn’t run entirely by reclusive businessmen and can actually build great cars. Next time tell this audience about the “vehicles” you have in your own garage and you’ll no doubt score some serious extra points.
Fred
I thought it was a great interview. Funny and informative. Good on you for being brave enough to do it.
For your interest, I’m all the way out in Hong Kong, so I think you’ve drawn a larger audience than you anticipated!
I wish you and GM all the best with the Volt. You should also consider a hybrid minivan. I have no idea why Toyota didn’t release the hybrid Alphard in the US. I think they’d have done a roaring trade in them. Anyway, they’ve left the door open for someone else to do it first.
Elizabeth Crawford
Well done, Mr. Lutz! Just because people don’t don’t agree on everything, doesn’t mean we can’t respect one another - and even sit down and have a good time together, as you and Stephen clearly did.
I was amazed to hear about the Volt, and really like the idea of 80% of drivers in the US no longer having to buy gas. If it helps us get off our oil addiction, I hope every one of them buys a Chevy Volt!
Tilman
Great interview, Mr. Lutz - but one thing struck me: You know that all the scientists and engineers at your company believe in and make their living with scientific knowledge. They cringe when you suggest that this same method would have failed in climate science. The peer-reviewed scientific research literature of the last two, three decades is undoubtedly showing that climate change is caused by humans, as the 20000 scientists of the IPCC showed by reviewing these papers. To dispute that, one would have to gather another 20000 scientists, do research for another 20 to 30 years, collect the data, do the calculations, write thousands of scientific papers and conclude a completely different result. If that happens, we have a debate. But as for now, the case is clear and the facts are there.
SaturnBob
The best part was when Colbert asked if he could charge his Volt through the cigarette lighter in his Hummer.
Sam Scime
Great interview!
I applaud Rick Wagoner, Bob Lutz and the rest of the staff for taking a more proactive approach with the media lately. I look forward to seeing more engaging interviews in order to educate the public – like the current EPA CAFÉ rating games that are being played with the Volt.
Keep up the good work.
Tom Williams
As a Bob Lutz/Volt/EFCEV fan, when I learned of this video I couldn’t wait to see it. I laughed so hard I just had to share the fun and I put a link on Project Driveway. I had to drive the fuel cell right after that and I couldn’t help it, for no reason at all I would just burst out laughing. Thank you for having such a great sense of humor. And thank you for the Volt and all the other cars it will generate.
Tracy
I’m suprised all the comments here are so positive. I saw the interview too and I think you looked like a pompous ass and you alienated your target customer base. Does no one remember GM’s EV1? The electric car that came out in the late 90s? GM decided it didn’t want to piss off big oil and killed the car - GM also teemed up with the other automakers and killed the zero emissions laws that had been passed in California.
It is only fair that after taking the EV1s back at lease end (and wrecking them instead of recycling them as they had originally promised) and pushing it’s fleet of large gas -hogging SUVs, that GM is in the situation it’s in now. I personally am all for options other than gas to power our vehicles, but I think GM’s Volt is too little too late.
Allan Skoropa
Great job Bob. You got the info about the VOLT out and displayed your humor.
I’d say GM saved millions on commercials with this appearance!
Quentin Oliver
A big G’Day to Bob from the GM Holden LTD, Holden Vehicle Operations, BodyShop 0020 Maintenance Group.
Congrats on the interview and surviving the potentially disastrous rhetoric of Stephen.
We’re all excited about the volt down here in Australia and we hope that it’s a huge success.
I hope you’re enjoying our G8’s over there and are excited about the GXP and ST prospects.
-Q.
bluebaby
Mr. Lutz
Please remove the side vents from the Pontiac car coming from the other country because it takes away from the Caddy and makes it look to much out there, don’t get me wrong it was a great move on the Caddy but not every dam car, why not put them on your helicopter why your at it. just kidding.
bluebaby
Craig Dupler
The interview was funny, but disappointing. It’s hard to imagine a Toyota exec doing something similar. How can it possibly be that someone with so little regard for science can rise so high at GM? I don’t know what was more of a suprise, the global warming comment or the make-up one. Let’s say for a moment that the car is as good as you say, How exactly would you describe the target customer, and what percentage of that target did you manage to insult? It’s no wonder GM is still on a downward slide.
Steve K.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
Enjoyed the interview and I think you did a great job. As you say, the important points came out and in a way that was clear and easy to understand and remember.
If jump on a soap box for a minute, I think one of the most important effects of the Volt will be turning attention to electricity generation and I hope, nuclear power.
I wish your mind could be changed regarding CO2, etc. However, given the evidence out there (stated opinions of the national science academies of every developed nation on Earth, etc.) that seems unlikely, but I wanted to let you know that I see:
Chevy Volt + Nuclear Energy providing a safe, clean world for my children.
The Volt really will be the beginning of a huge and positive change for the world.
Best Regards
Best Regards
MontyInnj
Good Job Bob!
Now on to Letterman and Leno. At Leno’s stop mention options for the ICE (CNG) and know about the PickensPlan.
Monty
Justin Weber
Mr. Lutz,
Great interview! I’ve been a fan of Stephen Colbert since he was on the Daily Show as a correspondent. His interviews are always quite unconventional, but I think you successfully managed to walk the “tight rope,” by not getting into a “sparring match” with him and instead “playing along,” and also you delivered the Volt’s (and GM’s) message, which was key. Nice work, you stuck it.
Kristy
Tracy-
Yes I remember the EC1 and that upsets me, but everyone gets a chance to make up for their mistakes. Better late than never. Just trying to stay positive and hopeful for MI and America.
Charlie H
Bob, while your sense of humor is pretty good, your sense of science leaves a great deal to be desired.
When you say 32,000 scientists disagree about the Global Warming phenomenon, what 32,000 scientists are you referring to? Because we can’t find them.
The Big Skeptics Conference, the Heartland Institute’s March shindig, attracted just 20 scientists. Did you happen to hear about that thing? Did you know they were offering free rooms and waived attendance fees for government officials? Why do you suppose that might be? Because they were digging in to the nitty-gritty of the science and needed political types to check their math? Did you notice that one track featured a comedian?
Are you getting the picture on the nature of the “science” among the “scientists” who dispute Global Warming?
crmisc
Mr Lutz,
Way to go with VOLT and way to go with getting the show on the road. Keep the publicity going.
By the way, paint the whole car with photovoltaic paint! Great idea. Harvest those electrons from everywhere. I’d drive my 26 miles to work, pop the trunk, and fold out an extra solar panel to squeeze 8 hrs of trickle charge in order to get a couple more miles. I suppose it will charge while driving? Anyway, any little bit of extra charge should crank up the MPGs up a lot on this baby.
Improvements over the next few years for trickle charging the VOLT might change people from talking MPGs to MPF (fill-up)! If you guys can think of a way to let the public come up with their own power sources to charge, a lot of interesting ideas will pop up. Such access could become the equivalent to “USB”, but for charging GM vehicles!
Thanks for your vision and great job GM.
Kind regards,crmisc
Nate
Bob,
Respectfully, I think this video clip demonstrates the problems facing GM. Colbert seems to have caught you off guard. Good for him. As much as I love GM, I honestly was hoping to see a better representation. Why should you have had to flip through the dangerous responses? Needless to say I think Colbert hit the main points that needed to be hit not on the GM advertising machine side but on the reality check side. I think it was pretty clear the parts of the interview where you were stunningly full of it. Run 40 miles without using a drop of fuel? To bad thats not quite the truth. Where does the power come from? Power plants running Nuclear and Fossil fuels or gasoline from the generator… C’mon Bob quit trying to pull one over on all of us educated people. I’m still waiting for you and GM to realize that people like myself aren’t buying into some of the GM propaganda. The Volt is a great car and idea but the spokes people need to get a clue.
When is GM going to offer a similar car in a Cadillac or Pontiac? Maybe something the size of a G6 or Aura?
As a last comment, I have trouble watching videos about GMs new products without laughing for a long time. There’s just something about them that I find funny and not convincing. Sorry to have to be so harsh. Keep up the hard work I hope to soon be sold on some of the GMs out there.
Nate
Euroclydon,
Unfortunately I don’t think Bob was far off with the 2 weeks to charge thing. Cars take a lot of power to drive and run. Even the best solar panels today aren’t that efficient, and the area of a roof is small making the amount of solar energy it collects also very small. 2 weeks would probably be a miracle though I don’t have Bob’s numbers…. unfortunately Bob seems to represent some of GMs products in a way that makes me not even want to listen to him talk… I’m not sure why but oh well.
Somewhere I read that there are a lot of women who like guys with Toyota Prius’s (not sure how to spell that one). So Maybe a Volt is similar.
As an aside it sounds to me like the Chevy Volt is nothing more then a slightly improved version of a Prius with a built in battery charger.
Ibes,
I agree GM should have re-badged the new Hatchback Opel that is now a Saturn as a Pontiac. Throw in a turbo and they are good to go. Not sure WHO makes those kind of decisions at GM but very very very often I ask what they are thinking. Are they purposely trying to put the company under?
I think what GM needs is a VW Rabbit killer with a diesel of their own for the economy performance segment And an AWD G6. That would be both cool and nice (and I’m part of the demographic GM is trying to sell to right now).
Tracy,
I have to agree every time Bob makes a video appearance I think less and less of him (sorry Bob). I remember the video of him doing a walk around tour of the Malibu talking about the Chrome strips (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI71XNi0-Q) . In that video he truly sounded like an exec with a huge disconnect from the actual work side of the company. I think this was yet another video that showed how distanced he really is from his target audience and the real world. Maybe he’s spent to much time in Big Blocks or Jets or whatever but I can tell something just isn’t right when he makes videos.
I can’t help but wonder if GM isn’t full of … well you know. They make whatever people want and it appears they don’t have the ability to predict the future market that well.
Oh Well Keep trying GM I’m waiting to replace my 1990 Buick with the right product.. Preferably a Diesel or CNG car.
Nate
SaturnBob
Hear, hear, I second MontyInnj’s idea for Bob Lutz on Jay Leno !!!!! Jay is THE car guy! Bob, what about it?
Bart Snapp
Hi Bob,
You are doing good with the Chevy Volt - However, your claims on global warming are either ignorant or deceitful.
Science is a tough subject and scientists often disagree. With the experts, the true “climate” scientists, there is little doubt. Man is causing global warming. See
http://www.realclimate.org/
I found your so-called list of “30,000 scientists rejecting global warming”
These are just people with science degrees who reject global warming - check it out:
http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/al_gore_global_warming/2008/05/19/97307.html
Seeing that we have around 225,000, scientists graduate *every year* with a science degree, this is weaker than saying “1/13 of our science majors didn’t get it” (which is quite possible)
In conclusion, you look like a fool when say scientists don’t agree on the cause global warming.
Bart Snapp
Argg - math strikes again, in my haste - I realized I reduced the fraction wrong!!!
It should be 1/8th not 1/13!
D’oh! (but my point still stands)
Andrew
I had never heard of the Volt until your appearance on TCR (”the colbert report” for those in the know). After watching “Who Killed The Electric Car?” and fuming at the screen for the way you guys handled the EV-1, I’m skeptical, but still very excited for this. A quick google led me to http://gm-volt.com and my name is now on the list of the eagerly awaiting. I’m currently in the process of telling all my friends, too, so I really hope you’re serious about this (that the Volt will be an actual mass-produced cost-effective solution, rather than a forgotten niche item for all but enthusiasts). Sell it well, and you won’t be running out of buyers anytime soon.
VIDEOS: The Goodwrench Report with Stephen Colbert | driive.com
[...] sides were still hurting from the Bob Lutz interview on the Colbert Report when we read through the GM vice-chairman’s thoughts on having appeared alongside the pseudo news anchor, whom he referred to as a “comic genius”. We [...]
udham
I am a member of the colbert nation and I drive a GM car (a 2006 pontiac GTO)
Dji Renhard
Thanks for appearing on the Colbert Report! You held your own in the comedy wordplay and made me interested in buying a Volt. I think your next move will be to partner with the utilities industry in planning for the additional power grid demands needed for overnight charging. Just like oil prices moving people to fuel efficient cars, dependable no brown out electricity will affect the mass purchase of Volts. I’m a total fan of the Chevy S10 Truck, still driving and loving it!
Be on TV for GM more often, you are a natural!
Joe
Lutz,
I hope you understand that Colbert made you look like an idiot and totally dominated you in the hot seat. Global warming doesn’t exist?? How much did you post in losses CYTD? Maybe it is YOU behind the catastrophic losses your company is seeing. The years of making crappy cars are finally catching up, aren’t they? You know that Nissan is going to beat the whole market with the first full plug-in right?
Please watch the interview over again without your ‘yes-men’ in the room who get your coffee and wipe your a$$ after you use the john and maybe you will see how poorly you represented your company.
I bet you will be voting for whichever candidate bails GM out, huh?
Christy Garwood
Hello Nate, first I must let you know that I am a GM employe. I would like to invite you to check my math instead of relying on the GM propaganda that you don’t buy into. One source of info is from the LA Times blog article titled “What is This Volt Thingy, Anyhow?” . http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/
It has some facts regarding the fuel usage of the Volt. The Volt will use 8 kilowatt/hours per charge and one charge will allow a 40 mile trip before the gas engine turns on.
From US Gov’t web sites, one kWh of electricity generated from coal has a CO2 emission rate of 2.1 lbs. And one gallon of gas has a CO2 emission rate of 19.4 lbs. (Note that wind generated electricity would not have any CO2 emissions.)
Let’s say you drive an internal combustion engine vehicle that gets 40 mpg in city driving, (this is usually a Highway mileage rating) then 19.4 lbs. of CO2 are emitted. If you believe GM’s Lutz and the LA Times, then the Volt will use 8kWh per 40 miles and 16.8 lbs of CO2 will have been emitted when the coal was fired to generate the electricity that charged the Volt battery. And the coal in the power plant was probably mined in the USA. That is 19.4 minus 16.8 or 2.6 lbs less of CO2 emitted per 40 miles driven. (Most people drive 40 miles or less in one day.)
In summary, reliance on foreign oil for gas was decreased, CO2 emissions were decreased, and depending on how much is paid for the kWh from the power grid, the cost to the consumer to fuel the trip was decreased. Using facts, GM’s Volt design is directionally correct considering US foreign oil reliance at the moment, the current financial crisis, and the case of global warming.
Best regards
Wingo Wango
“Those pauses were not because I didn’t know what to say; they were time needed to index through and discard the truly dangerous answers!”
Mocking “non-makeup wearing, environmentally-correct” women wasn’t in the danger category? (At least you let Colbert bring up the issue of them not shaving their legs.)
Christopher Gunn
RE: Global warming. “30,000 scientists don’t believe..”
Question: How does one choose sides in a scintific argument one is not an expert in?
Answer: Look at the relevant published papers.
On the Global warming subject, the results have be unanimous some years (on the relevant question). There is basicaly zero doubt.
How then is there doubt in the public mind?
Apparently, the same director who made a film supporting the claim that cigarette smoking does not cause cancer (supported by the tabacco industry) did a film claiming CO2 does not affect global warming (supported by the oil industry). I saw it. It was sad.
Can we respect people such as Bob Lutz, who say such retarded things? Hey, nobody’s perfect. I enjoy his enthusiasm and the good he has done in promoting the Volt.
Chritopher Gunn.
Chuck Dye
Wow, what a letdown. No, I’m not referring to the volt’s look (which I think makes much more sense for the first production car but maybe they should have given it a new name), I’m referring to the global warming comment. I have been a Honda/Toyota driver for years and was excited that an american car company was actually doing something right.
But following that comment, I just don’t know how I could have any faith in GM.
I remember watching Sean Hannity on Fox news speak of all these scientists against global warming and he had a large display of names scrolling behind him. Well I used my TIVO to stop it so I could Google about 25 of the names and guess what - approx 3/4 of the names he listed were either community college professors (teachers?) or were in a discipline not at all related to scientifically addressing global warming. Those who were real scientists all received money from Exxon/Mobile. This is an intentionally misleading anti-intellectual campaign that Mr. Lutz is buying into.
One question is - Is he part of it or does he just believe it? Look, I’m no conspiracy theorist and I’m not saying folks got in a room and decided to lie. But business conveniences could lead to tag along bedfellows including GM.
The other question is - Does the comment represent only his beliefs or is this GM’s position?
Either way, my faith in GM is greatly diminished.
Christy Garwood
Hello Chuck Dye, as a GM employee, it is my understanding that Bob Lutz’s comments on global warming represent his beliefs.
While I am not authorized to state GM’s official position, I can state a few public facts and I hope you draw a positive conclusion: (http://gmfactsandfiction.com/ and check out environment/ alternative fuels)
- GM has installed solar panels on several manufacturing plant roofs around the world, thus reducing the reliance on coal fired electricity that produces CO2 emissions.
- The GM Volt is directionally correct in terms of reducing CO2 emissions because of the electric power used to power the vehicle and the highly efficient combustions engine that will re-charge the battery. (see my previous comments on CO2 emissions from gasoline versus kWh).
- GM has several hybrid vehicles in the market that also reduce CO2 emissions and one that has the same fuel efficiency as the Camry in the city.
- GM is working on hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles as well as engines powered with fuels made from algae/ bacteria/ cellulose. http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/
I hope I have restored a little of your faith in GM.
Best regards.
Chuck Dye
Christy,
You make a convincing argument that GM is working to lower CO2 emissions, but nowhere did I see a mention of global warming. Now sure, I know they’re connected and there is an inference but why not say it. Can the omission possibly be unintentional? That’s tough for me to believe. Maybe GM’s trying not to piss off right-wing anti-science crowd.
Anyway, I’m rooting for GM in a big way and hope lots of folks by Volts.
I would love to hear your opinion on this:
At $40K and a 5 or 6 year loan, it will take a long time for consumers to save their first penny.
I wish GM would consider a plan where they sell two vehicles and rooftop solar panels to power them and a home and finance them over 15 years. Even if you include the cost of a replacement battery there are millions of american couples that would save money on day one. With the rebates in the current energy bill passed by the House and Senate, a couple with a baby could save enough money over that period to send the kid to a public university (tuition).
I’ve sat down with several couples and gone over the numbers (assuming a $40K car and $3K replacement battery in 10 years) and every couple I have spoken with wanted to sign up now. Of course this won’t be financially feasible for all couples and will probably only save great sums for those in the sun belt but hey, that’s millions of families.
Of course, this would require more capitol available but hopefully it will be there by 2010 or so.
It is a remarkably fortuitous coincidence that plugin hybrids and extended range electric vehicles like the Volt are coming out at the same time thin film solar will revolutionize the price point of photovoltaics. It would be a huge mistake to ignore this and the opportunity to offer the savings up front by extending finance periods. While I realize this kind of corporate partnerships may be complicated, someone’s gonna do it. Maybe it will be Mitsubishi, a major player in autos and solar.
Christy Garwood
Chuck,
I have seen neither public nor internal communications that state GM’s position on global warming. As a GM employe, I am only allowed to comment on information that GM has made public.
I do believe that actions speak louder than words, hence my list of actions that GM is taking that are accessible to the public — specifically the actions taken by GM to reduce CO2 emissions in the products GM sells and in the manufacturing plants where the products are made.
As far as my opinion on financing a $40K Volt for 5-6 years and saving money on the energy savings, again I would fall back on looking at the math. There may not be any savings. But in my personal opinion, I believe that there are customers out there that are able to buy/ finance a Volt without a cost savings from fuel and that their motivation is to reduce CO2 emissions, whether or not they believe in global warming.
From my business classes, I know a company must turn a profit to stay in business. If GM sells the first production runs of Volts at $40K, it must be to recoup their development costs and make some sort of profit. Over time, continuous improvement efforts by suppliers and GM will result in lower input costs, and thus allow a lower price to the consumer for the Volt.
Regarding GM entering into the solar panel production industry, that seems contrary to the business strategy that GM has executed since the early 1990’s, which has been to exit the non-core automotive design and manufacturing sectors. But anything is possible I suppose when a company called Lehman Brothers started out as cotton farmers in the south in the 1800’s and ended up as an investment banking firm that took on sub-prime mortgages early in the 21st Century.
Have a good weekend!
Steve Doman
Dear Bob,
You were great on the Colbert Report.
How can I get Opel badges, grill, etc, for my new Saturn Astra? Nothing against Saturn–but I once owned an Opel Manta, and I love the Opel Blitz emblem. There are many of us new Astra owners who would pay good money to get the OEM Opel parts. Thanks.
Eric Planey
Bob -
1) You were great!! Most people (except for bloggers on the New York Times) loved the jokes about how the Volt will help some men out…
2) I just posted on the G3 story, please dont call it a G3. You’ll kill the rep of the G8 and (I’m hoping) the next G6 in terms of Pontiac being a performance oriented division. Call it the Wave, park it in the back row of dealerships, and if you want, badge the top of the line Astra as a G3. It will sell more at Pontiac dealerships than at Saturn.
3) Above is a link to someone’s concept of a 2011 Firebird. Its gorgeous. Its appealing to Bandit lovers, and modern performance lovers.
Keep it going, keep it going!
Eric
Brady Turley
Hey Bob,
When are you going to tell them website designers to fix the Chevy website? I don’t want a PDF file that gives me all the basic information, and sometimes not even basic enough information. You used to have a great website that would tell ratios, and payload basic on configuration. Now you got..nothing? I’m guessing it was made by an intern who knew nothing about cars (or one of the many people working for GM who also know nothing about cars).. please cut that crud out.
Jeff
I don’t think you’ll get anything but pats on the back for being brave enough to do Colbert. Glad that in these bleak times you can find your sense of humor and do it! Nice work!