You’re Not Rid Of Me Yet
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
By now you may have heard the news that I have given up the duties of leading General Motors global product development.
Please note that I relinquish these responsibilities secure in the knowledge that the guiding philosophy of pursuit of absolute product excellence is now firmly embedded in the organization. That unquestionable fact made a very difficult decision much easier for me.
I feel very comfortable handing over the keys to Tom Stephens, and his new role makes perfect sense given that GM is preparing to integrate its Global Powertrain Operations into the Global Product Development organization. Tom will do a great job ensuring the continued excellence of GM’s new cars, trucks and crossovers, and he has a great team already in place to help, led by Ed Welburn, Jim Queen, John Smith and Jon Lauckner.
There has been speculation that I would stay until the debut of the Chevrolet Volt next year. When I do retire at the end of this year, the Volt program will be well on its way to launch and I’ll feel the same sense of pride and accomplishment that the entire Volt team will feel when the first ones are silently rolling off the assembly line.
So I’ll be around the rest of the year, helping with the transition and acting as senior advisor to Rick Wagoner, and I’m sure you’ll read further updates in this space about how it’s going. Most importantly, I remain as confident as ever in the future of General Motors and the continued excellence of its products. And you’ll see even more evidence of that as the next few years unfold.
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I dredded that this day would arrive. You did a GREAT job turning around GM’s product line up. When I see a Caddy CTS, I see a car that wants to be compared to the Mercedes and BMWs of the world. When I see a Malibu, I see a driver that has a smile of actual pride on their face. When I see a G8, I see car clubs forming because they want to talk about what a great ride it is. When I saw the Chevy Cruze, I see a buyer that will grow out of that car and yet will go back to a Chevy dealer. When I see a Pontiac G3, I see a little car that is thinking to itself: “why the @!*&! arent I a rebadged Astra, and not a rebadged Aveo?!?!” (sorry, couldn’t resist).
Good luck with your next stage in life. Car Czar?
Je sais que la route continue et que vous ne laisseriez pas en pleine tempête sans avoir le sentiment que nous sommes sur la bonne voie. Toutefois, je dois avouer que ce ne sera plus pareil sans vous directement à la barre de nos nouveaux produits. Merci pour tout.
In my opinion, Mr. Lutz should be succeeding Mr. Wagoner. I think that he should stay on. His magic has not been fully worked on GM yet, particularly on the interiors. I just saw the Chevy Cruise on display at the Washington, DC Auto Show and wondered why the rear seat of the car has no adjustable headrests. This will be a 2010 car no less! I also noted that a number of GM vehicles still don’t have passenger assist grips at all four doors. I also wondered why the trunk of the Chevy Aveo is so well finished, while the interior of the Cobalt is not, and why if a Honda Civic and Toyota Yaris can have a locking fuel filler door and three adjustable rear seat headrests, the Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura, Saab 9-3, Pontiac G-6, Chevy Equinox, and Saturn Vue can’t.
Thanks for all of your contributions to GM. Good luck in your retirement.
I think you were one of the major reasons for the turn around in GM’s quality in both design and performance. I hope your successor continues to build upon what you established.
Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for all of your contributions. You have broken down barriers and have helped open many critics eyes to what GM can do. World-class interiors and stunning exterior design. I’m sure these will continue thanks to the teams that have been put in place.
Bob,
It’s a sad day to hear this news. Having you around the halls at GM has worked wonders. Good luck in what you do next!
Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for your experience and expertise which benefitted GM and its customers. Having you there gave all us car enthusiasts hope and someone to identify with. And it was always interesting, and often entertaining, to read or hear your comments about GM and the auto industry to the press.
Wishing you good health and happiness in your retirement,
- Christopher Popa
Mr Lutz
You have shown us at GM that we a very capable of designing and manufacturing great vehicles that perofrm as good as they look. You have taught the organization that building great vehicles is the key to winning back customers and putting GM back on top. We have some great productcts that we can all be proud of thanks to your guidence: Soltice/Sky, Aura, Malibu, HHR, CTS, 2-dor and wagon, Lamda vehicles, Theta vehicles, New Lacrosse, Insignia, Cruise and the Volt. You will truely be missed. Thanks for all that you have done.
Now that you’re done with GM, could you come and help out Chrysler?!?! I sit on their Customer Advisory Board, and well, let’s face facts: their midsize sedans are terrible, the interiors are atrocious, the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass need to die, Daimler is STILL screwing up product development (especially with the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee which Daimler insists share a platform with the next Mercedes ML), and the design group led by Ralph Gilles needs a champion at the top. Tom LaSorda, Jim Press, and Bob Nardelli are bright guys, but they aren’t really car guys. Nardelli is a GE-bred suit, LaSorda is an operations guy, and Press is more of a marketing guy than anything. Cars like the 200C are proof that the engineering and design talent is still there, but those guys NEED help from the executive ranks.
Thank you Mr. Lutz for giving us the Volt and the hopes and dreams of a future America much less if not at all dependent on foreign oil.
Best of luck.
You will be missed for your excellence and attention to detail. Will you please straighten out the incompetent ISS organization before you leave please?
I believe Lutz when he says the culture has been permanently changed at GM. I think design will continue ot be very important and Welburn knows what he is doing to be sure. Lutz was the catalyst they needed to make the necessary changes. When you look at GM design today vs Toyota and Honda there is no comparison.
I saw the CTS wagon at the auto show and it looked great. Same with Equinox.
Dear Bob,
Real car guys know one when they see one. You have been passionate about cars your whole life, and every company for whom you worked benefited from your energy. All the best to you whatever you end up doing after GM.
Hootan Mahallati
Thanks for coming back to GM! It’s because of you and your team (the last 8 years) that I am driving my 07 Silverado (my best truck ever!), 08 Cobalt SS Turbo (man, I love that car! Super fun to drive and over 30 MPG on the highway too!) and have a new Camaro SS on order! If the Camaro ends up pacing this year’s Indy 500, GM please let Bob drive it! …Come next January, go out and do everything you wanted to do, but haven’t yet! God Bless you Bob Lutz!
Guess this means Bob can go back to driving his Viper V-10 around on weekends, eh?
HotCarNut: you must not be very familiar with Maximum Bob’s resume, which includes stints at Chrysler AND Ford AND BMW.
Couple of things before you go, Solsticeman, I mean Bob. If GM needs to scrap Kappa, then at least give Alpha a shot – or even an old school body-on-shrunken-Colorado-frame continuation of the affordable American roadster. We all can’t afford Corvettes. And can you explain where and why the 2010 LaCrosse gained an extra 500# making it equal in heft to a G8?
As a kid, I was a HUGE GM fan from a GM family. In the 80’s through most of the 90’s, they lost me.
It is SO nice ot be able to be proud of GM as a compnay again, and I give a HUGE amount of the credit to Bob Lutz.
As an Product / Industrial Designer, Mr. Lutz has been a visible proponent of the importance of PRODUCT. It appears from the outside looking in that he allowed folks like Ed Welburn and his team off the leash, less fettered by constraints. It shows, big-time.
Detroit needs smart people AND car people. Mr. Lutz is clearly one of them. I hope Mr. Stevens shares this passion for product. You build it, and they will come.
All this said, the timing of this announcement. makes no sense. Why now? If you’re staying on, I an not sure I understand the process of the PR folks that made it a wise move to annouce now? Why not later, in a more stable time?
Mr Stevens: Please follow Mr. Lutz’s example. Do not let Finance dictate your product. You’re building the best products GM has built since the 60’s from a desirability perspective. Keep it up!
Mr Lutz – please do not leave the public arena just yet.
Your experience, vision, candor and passion are badly needed as our nation slides willy-nilly toward a statist, Washington-driven economy in which brilliant individuals and entrepreneurs take a back seat to a political class that, like the financial class, has failed this nation and left a huge leadership void.
As evidence of this void, look at the mess that is the stimulus bill, which is not targeted, timely or temporary and which does not even begin to address the core question of how we will create the wealth needed to maintain, let alone improve, living standards for our children. Our new president has no focus, no sense of priority, and of course knows nothing about wealth creation or how great industries are built and thrive.
The public right now doesn’t trust either the market or the government. Aside from the military, almost every other institution in our society has lost credibility. The nation is rudderless. In this climate, it’s imperative that wiser, older heads who understand both engineering and product design step forward and point the way back toward an economy built on making great products rather than money-spinning and Washington policy-mongering.
We need your wisdom. I do not want to tell my children that the best career path for them is to become a state employee or Beltway bandit. Please help our nation become once again the industrial powerhouse of the world.
If you’re ever in Silicon Valley, please look me up (my email address has been supplied to fastlane.com).
TMcLaughlin
San Jose CA
Over the past few years the Big Three have done a wonderful job increasing quality, decreasing legacy costs, and designing cars and trucks that are attractive to the American consumer. Ford and GM have increased their global reach and improved their world image.
These changes set the stage for a great comeback but they were not soon enough to overcome the massive credit crunch and Wall Street melt down. The Big Three have shown that under normal ups and downs in the economy, they are able to adjust their business plans to survive.
These are not normal times. There are very few businesses that have the ability to absorb 30% or more reductions in sales in a matter of months, especially with such labor and capital intensive products. Cutting production only increases the per vehicle costs. The capital equipment and buildings supporting these lines are expensive to maintain even if idle.
The auto companies are victims to external forces beyond their control. Being a free market capitalist, I do not take lightly government intervention but in catastrophes of this magnitude, government does have a role. It is time for the government to step in and help the auto industry bridge the short term gap in dwindling sales.
This isn’t enough. We all know that the price of oil will drastically drop as we decrease our need for foreign oil. This means that a massive retooling of the auto industry to support the use of clean and efficient energy will require protections that encourage customers to purchase these new vehicles regardless of the price of gas at the pump. Two years developing an electric car for production is ludicrous if the moment they come off the line, people rush back to gas guzzling trucks and cars.
chiefpontiac:
That’s why I said “Come BACK to Chrysler”. I’m very well aware of Bob’s history with Chrysler and Lee Iaccoca still says his biggest mistake was not picking Lutz to be his successor.
Bob
Simply, thanks for doing, what you do so well, for us.
a long time GM buyer and Pontiac racer (60’s-70’s of course)
I, too, dreaded this day. Thanks for the Viper, for the Z06/ZR1, and of course, for calling out global warming.
Cheers,
Andi Baritchi
Dallas,
Texas
Bob, you are a great car guy that brought the world some of the best and most exciting cars ever.
Good Luck, hope to see you on TV in the future, hopefully with your own show on SpeedTV.
You’ve helped to turn a great company around – in a few years, when GM is back to profitability, people will acknowledge your indispensable role in it. Your vision of the Volt will transform the way people think about personal transportation, and finally, as you say, remove the automobile from the environmental equation. This is a sad day for many, but hopefully a happy day for you – you can look forward to a well-deserved retirement after a most remarkable career. All the best.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
I appreciate all that you have brought to GM and the automobile industry. I have enjoyed all your blogs and the candid responses on this wonderful forum. GM is a much better company because of your dedication and hard work. GM will still continue to thrive because you have instilled your best qualities into the company’s culture. I look forward to seeing the future cars that will come out that had your influence on them. I hope you will be on hand for the launch of the Volt even though you will be retired from GM by then. I wish you the best always!
Enjoy Life!!!
Bob,
Thank you for giving so much to this industry. So many great cars will be attributed to your work.
Personally, I’ve learnt so much from your insights over the years.
I haven’t always agreed with your position – but I’ve always respected you and really enjoyed listening to you. I’ve grown up on your wisdom Mr. Lutz.
And now I work for GM – and I am one of the many who will continue what you started at GM.
I’m hoping you remain in touch with GM at some level. I would really enjoy reading the occasional blog entry from you after your retirement in 2010 and beyond!
Best Wishes Mr Lutz!
You are a legend to us at GM and will always be a legend and will live on throughout GM globally….Thank you for teaching us to think big….
God Bless you Bob. You have help to prove that car guys should be in the top levels of an automotive company not all accountants, lawyers and engineers. I am 3rd generation GM and pray that the company is headed down the road to future success. One regret is that we pulled the CTS coupe in place of the CTS wagon. I think it is because the wagon program was farther along but as a fellow car guy I think the coupe would have outsold the wagon by a landslide.
Thanks Mr. Lutz for all you’ve helped with
Mr. Lutz,
Your’e not getting away that easy. How about moving to DC and becoming the Car Czar?
I just got the book “Why GM Matters” last week and have read a few chapters. Bob is quoted in there quite a bit as are other GM management types. Its very interesting so far and confirms my belief that the NY-LA-DC centered media could care less about the US industrial sector and is determined to portray GM (and similar companies) as outmoded and unecessary. The book lays out why manufacturing expertise is critical as well as the difference between GM and Toyota products made in the US. Anyone who posts here regularly should check out the book. It has far more detail than would be allowed in our sound bite obsessed TV and print media. It gives you a view of the whole picture and explains how much work is involved in correcting GM’s past mistakes.
Hey Bob, thanks so much for the Solstice. It really upped the game for GM to have such a stylish, affordable roadster with top notch performance and handling. I hope it survives the economic downturn and the bean counters. Good luck on retirement.
Bob brought that ’sixth sense’ element to product development. Experts would argue about how much weightage does the ‘gut feel’ carry in product development – Bob’s stint has proved that if the ‘gut feel’ is from a car guy, you seldom go wrong – Bob’s comments that the philosopy of pursuing a product that is nothing short of the best is what we need to continue. Some of our decisions to add products to our lineup for short term sales / revenue may have provided temporary results but long term viability and success will depend on continuation of Bob’s philosophy of product development. Bob did leave his mark on GM -
Mr. Lutz,
Best Wishes in your retirement from a fourth-generation GM’er. Hopefully we’ll still get some “flyovers” here at MPG! Your expertise and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.
Well its about time. I have not seen a decent GM car produced in the US for a very long time and there has been bad decisions concerning products in Europe that are directly related to Mr Lutz. Big reputation, little substance and now a company in crisis, not all his fault but he must take some of the blame. Time for someone new with fresh ideas.
Godspeed Mr Lutz
You’r passion will be missed.
Mr Heinracy will be missed too, Godspeed you both.
But; my point!
General Motors has some kind of creative energy in it’s air, water, er… I don’t know…. you Mr Lutz are only one of manny greats, as it were; Ed Cole, Larry Shonoa, Zora Duntov, Herb Addams,Kyle and Stacy Tucker, John Heinracy; ok just some of my favorites!
Now that you’re about to join the pantheon of Greats everyone should know that allthough a great number is retired General Motors remains a Winning Team.
You guy’s can’t help it………
The reason I started posting comments on this blog several years ago was because of an article Bob Lutz wrote. Ever since then I’ve been keenly interested in the products GM makes. All I can say is that you did a fantastic job. I only hope that when I’m 76 ( which I can assure you I will be retired by then) that I have at least some of the intellectual ability as you do. You went above and beyond the call of duty and deserve a comfortable retirement.
I will greatly miss reading your commentary and seeing interviews. If only everyone in the auto industry were like Mr. Lutz. Good luck.
Good Riddance. Too bad it’s not till the end of 2009
Anyone who thinks global warming is a “crock of shit” should go.
Thank you Mr. Lutz and congratulations on an excellent career!
I have followed your career since graduating college (about eight years ago), read your book “Guts,” and enjoyed your insight on the inner workings of product development. Of course, the vehicles produced under your tenure show the results a car company can achieve when design and product are “put in the drivers seat.” And I’ve really, really enjoyed seeing the Volt come to fruitrition.
And good luck with your next endeavor; you don’t expect us all to believe that you will be getting out of the car business for good, do you?
Having worked in the auto supplier sector for the past 31 years, I have followed your career and was hoping this day would never come. The last true ‘car guy’ will be truely missed by those with a passion for the American made cars and trucks you have touched and brought to us over the years.
It’s sad you are leaving, but it’s much worse that the talking heads in Washington will dictate what the American public will be allowed to drive in the future.
Here’s to a very happy and productive retirement. And when you leave, would you please turn off the lights. I hear been counters like the dark.
Ken
Bob,
Thanks for your efforts at GM. We’ve seen some improvement, but there’s still a long way to go. Before you leave GM, please ensure that the remaining team fully understands this. GM has been working hard at eliminating product redundancy, yet we still get a completely redundant model like the Pontiac G3. The marketing types should know the strength in a product name, yet we still see largely unnecessary name changes for various models. The change from Cobalt to Cruze comes to mind as one example. We won’t even get into the Pontiac “G” names and the mystery involving why you folks thought that they were a good idea. Interiors, as mentioned above by someone else, are also way behind competing models from other manufacturers and need to be addressed. There is still much to do, but thanks you your efforts, there isn’t as much to do as there was before you arrived.
Should you consider HotCarNut’s plea to return to Chrysler, you may find it a walk in the park after having overcome the inertia at GM.
Craig:
The CTS, corvette, Aura, Cobalt SS and Malibu are built by GM for the US market. I would say those are examples of compelling GM cars available to US consumers right now.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
I knew this day would be coming soon, I just wish you were not leaving during this difficult time in GM’s history. We need you! I hope even though you will be retired, that the GM execs will still turn to you for advice, because you are a brilliant business man and car enthusiast. I wish you the Best of Luck and have a Great Retirement! You deserve it!
-GMGUY4LIFE
Thanks Bob, you’ve made it possible for me to be proud of GM cars. There was a time when driving a Chevy Malibu meant you were in a rental car on your way to the air port, today the Malibu is a car people can be proud to own. Thanks to the changes you have helped make, I’m now a GM customer for life.
Hey Bob – Sorry for the multiple posts, but after reading a good Dutch Mandel tribute to you on Autoweek’s site I felt compelled to write. I feel like you found the balance between risk taking and having a stable productive career. As I work in the financial services industry in New York, I am seeing a shut down of my industry because the risk taking went too far out of whack. I like the perseverance you brought to GM and to your career. Every day I sit in my cubicle asking ‘what if’ I feel is greater opportunity cost I have on myself. Now that we are in such a shaky world, I balance what I want to do in life vs. the stability of having a job. Your story helps me in attempting to construct an appropriate solution. The next time your in New York, let me know. I’d like to buy you lunch, and thank you for bringing back GM’s products and hopefully my potential.
Eric
I for one am going to miss Bob Lutz more than anyone can imagine. From the boldness of the solstice to the gotta have hummer, the man is a legend. Best of luck as you fly off in your jet to new worlds, have a cigar for me bob, I wish I could offer you up one myself. I hope to hear of more stories of Umberto Bigone in the coming years. Long live the Cadillac 16!
Mr. Lutz,
Bravo Bob!
I hope you enjoy a well-deserved retirement, and I know you will continue to fly and drive fast machines.
You did a heck of a job at Chrysler and GM and America needs managers like you.
The Daimler folks should have listened to you and they would have saved BILLIONS and Chrysler would be a better company today.
You made great products and inspired lots of us to do more and to do better.
If you get bored on the beach how about working on a Viper–Maserati combination??
It was fun to read your columns. We all have to move on at some point and let the next generation take over. I hope Tom Stephens keeps this web tradition and direct dialog with consumers on.
Mr. Lutz,
As one of my great hero’s of the 20th and 21st century I’m troubled and sorry for GM to hear of your departure. If I have no other avenue than this, I would just like to say that you are an incredible member of the automotive community, and you have changed the automotive world for the better.
I am a happy owner of a 2005 GTO that would not have existed were it not for you.
I know it is a lot to ask, but if you could do me a personal favor, write another book. My entire family has read your first publishing “Guts” and were inspired by it. More wisdom and less bullshit (pardon my french if you will) is needed more now then ever and I need the hope that interesting cars will continue and flourish.
All of us in the car community will miss a visionary such as yourself and the true passion you bring to our lives through the wheels we hold, and over the roads we drive.
Sincerely,
William W. Randolph
Bob:
Thanks for taking the lead on the E-REV Volt. It has been some kind of ride and the Volt needed a champion to get it over the petro-hump. In the long run you may find that your role in the electrification of transportation has been the most important contribution you’ve made. We know there are plenty of others in your cap. But the world needed your leadership to get past the entrenched resistance to new automotive technology. And ah, THANKS for speaking true about the global warming scare. It has made for a colorful career at GM and millions agree with you. Whatever you do don’t stop speaking out on the issues that matter. And in the end rest assured that you have made the world – a better place.
Bob,
We had one heck of a run, didn’t we?
As I watch the auto industry and Chrysler’s near death in the early 80’s I never forgot that this industry is war in economic form.
There are so many competing forces from governments to trade regulation to currency swings and even local politics that it is a mine field to navigate this industry.
Running such a network successfully is like doing a ballet in the middle of the theater of operation in a war zone.
And there was no one that danced better, did it with more grace and suave than Bob Lutz.
I consider the day that you were passed over for CEO of Chrysler for another was the worst day in our modern automotive history. Yup, I never got over that, maybe you have. But remember, I always knew that the auto industry is an elephant walking on a tightrope and it demands experience and knowhow beyond what one can learn. It requires someting of talent and innate ability.
Whatever that thing is, you had it, and it is not something that can be taught. You can’t be replaced.
Now I did notice that over the years you did get more conservative but the attention to detail over flash was perhaps something GM needed more to catch up with import quality and attention to detail.
Let me say, the Hummer H3 did not do bad for a vehicle in its very first itineration. If GM stuck behind vehicles like Toyota and did 12 itinerations, just imagine H3’s success down the road.
Even in these trying times we cannot think short term because short term everybody should be out of business even Toyota.
Long term what is GM’s worth, Hummer’s worth, Bob Lutz’s worth, Saab’s worth?
I’m afraid that whether it is in good times or bad times the imports still trump us.
They know the inherent value of Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, and Subaru is far, far beyond its performance last quarter or last year. That is something American industry seems never fully capable of grasping.
A father’s worth is more than the check they bring home every other week.
The bottom line is…
The true bottom line.
How has a man, a brand, or a company changed the industry and the world for the better over the long term?
Not to long ago GM, Ford, and Chrysler were sitting on $70 billion in cash, so I could care less about last quarter’s results when everyone was in the tank. I want to know the value over the long term.
In the long term the priceless innnovations, designs, thrills, joys, experiences, lauphs, excitement, power, energy, technology, surprise, confidence, and all millions of things that we can’t really measure, this is the true bottom line of the man, a brand, and the products of GM, Ford, and Chrysler throughout my lifetime, your lifetime, and our modern history.
If it’s just last quarter’s profits we are concerned about then bring back the subprime mortgage market.
As for me I will seek lasting, even eternal value.
Bob Lutz, your value will continue to be counted by me and other scholars for generations.
God bless you, and I hope God has a large space for you in the gold paved boulevards beyond the sky.
While I appreciate the work you’ve done for GM far too many things continue the way they always have. Build quality for one.
You know what, after test driving 3 new Cobalts and seeing the horrendous fit and finish and obvious flaws in putting the car together I would rather see the Cobalt replacement (don’t make me say the name) built somewhere other than Lordstown.
Its obvious the workers couldn’t care less about the car or the company. GM should never have rewarded those lazy, careless incompetents another car to build.
Absolutely disgraceful.
As I write this I realize how much Bob Lutz has meant to me and my significant other. Back in 2003 I went out on a date. My date picked me up in his brand new Hummer H2. I was instanly won over. We drove all night with the windows open and hair flying. Without that Hummer I may never have given Sven that second look. It may be petty but I love trucks and Lutz’s Hummer is second to none. Thank you Bob for everything you brought to Gm, the world owes you a debt of Gratitude.
I wish you best retirement, Mr. Lutz, and appreciate your mostly successful efforts towards revamping GM’s vehicles and engineering development for the better.
Awe Say it ain’t so Mr. Lutz!!!!!
You gave us our swagger back.
For me it was via an experience during the time when MR. Zarella was packing it up and you were moving in.
I was on a team of folks supporting a product review with the Board of Directors at MPG. We were on the off-road course in the old military area. You got in the passenger side of the twin turbo off-road trailblazer prof. racing vehicle. The driver was a fairly famous off-road racer. You looked like you belonged. You and the driver took off in the truck to go for a couple spins on a dirt oval. When you came back not only did you pop out of the truck, but asked to drive this time. ( you were the only exec who didn’t look as white as a ghost after the ride)
Have a well deserved rest. We will see you when you come back to help us again. You can take Bob Lutz out of a car, but………
thanks for everything.
Hey Bob,
Like many on here I too read your book Guts, and I also have a printed copy of your memo you wrote to all employees at GM. You inspired greatness in product and that will be your hallmark. You gave the keys to the castle back to the design team. A true gentleman living for and in the moment, calling a spade a spade, kicking the brown nosers out, and keeping the true believers motivated to do their best. The truth is the truth and there is no time like the present to make honest, positive, forward thinking change. Good luck and god speed in retirement!
Thank you for the great cars, quotes, and swagger!
J.Crew
Bob, please reconsider leaving GM. With all the hell we have been through the industry in the last year don’t you want to make it through to the heaven. Its not a mystery, the industry will rebound. Face it Bob, in the U.S. we rock. You have been the rainbow in the darkness that GM has needed. I know in the future you will be spending time on your motorcycle, speeding at night if you may, but still I’m sad. Best of luck Bob, I hope if I get the pleasure of meeting you one day I am not starstruck and I can shake your hand, light a cigar and turn on the time machine and talk old cars with you. Good luck as you walk away, Godspeed and I wish you well
Dear Bob
As a senior advisor why do’nt you advise GM to read the artical in the wall street journel about the ZR1 Corvette and take their advice? GM has a reputation for missing the small things. It would suit them well to change that reputation and establish an image as a company that sweat even smallest detail. In their unwise attempt to save money by cutting corners and not sweating the details, they could save themselves into non existance. The ZR1 is just one of many instances where GM did not sweat the details. If they continue down that path they will never change the perception that many people who otherwise might consider GM products. But as always I am probley spinning my wheels here because I am sure you have been told the same thing by many people and you have not changed yet. But when you cheap yourself into non existance do’nt say you was not warned. My conclusion is that by not talking the advise given by many experts (which I am not. I am just a GM fan that would like to see you survive.) you just do’nt get it or you just do’nt care. Eighter way that is not good.
I’m sorry to see you go but, as I myself am approaching retirement, I know how you feel. If GM would have offered the G8 with the DI six and a sixspeed manual or automatic, it would be sitting in my garage beside my Solstice GXP. Now I have to look for something else. I was hoping that the alpha Caddilacs were coming on line as we were promised much sooner or the CTS coupe.It’s too bad the new Camaro wasn’t built on alpha. Happy retirement and you did really make a difference at GM.
Hey Bob – Is it possible that you can testify in front of Congress for one hour? Just you. Make sure Senator Shelby is there as well. It would be worth the aggravation.
Eric:
I like your suggestion but they would never let it happen.
Mr Lutz,
This blog and all your contributions brought more to the wold of corporate communications than the previous decade. You clearly have showed us the way to lead a 2-way communication with customers, analysts, competitors, etc.
Good luck for the next stages.
H.Kabla (France)
Closing US plants is the WRONG Move to make. You need to close plants in China, Mexico and stop spending money overseas! Get Americans back to work,. Your taking our TAX dollars to support your company now you need to support the US worker. DO NOT close any more US plants close plants in China,
The reason your losing money is you cut your best customer out of a JOB the US Blue Collar worker.
GET the US back to work and car and truck sales will soar!!!
Close plants off shore!!
This is the Americanthing to do,. Get the plans back on the table for the Engine Plant in Flint Michigan, KEEP Americans working, Down size over seas not on US Soil,.
I have a 2002 Trail Blazer and was planing on a new SUV this year, I am going to buy a Ford because I am FEED up with your company closing plants in my area.
Close plants in China or start building Rickshaws in China, GET Americans back to work if you want to sell in the USA and if you want our TAX Dollars to bail you out of your mess, GET The plants open that have been closed and get the Americans back to work on US soil. Demand US Steel and USA Made parts then you will start to make money again.
GET your neighbors back to work !!!!
Mr Lutz, I think you’ve done an excellent job, and really hate to see you go. Best wishes on retirement, I just hope your replacement can carry on your legacy and buck the bean counters and build more world class cars.
You guys better not get rid of Pontiac. Drop Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and even GMC. Those brands dont do squat anyways, but Pontiac is a legandary brand and right now, has the only affordable RWD powerplant.
Mr. Lutz,
Thanks for all you’ve done and all you are doing. Your presence rekindles respect for CEOs, execs, and leaders which has helped the younger generations to relate to the automotive pioneers. Your up there among the greats like the Ford family.
I was surprised to learn your age, you seem much younger. When I hear old people complain, I remind them there are still great leaders like Bob Lutz in America.
Thanks for saying global warming is a crock. That will go down as an American classic. We all know its true and they do too. Its the lefties who really afraid of technology and solutions.
After you retire, do us a small favor and straighten out some of these politicians like Senator Shelby, Senator Kyle, and even Senator McCain who let everybody down. These Republicans who think its ok to wreck American jobs and families and abandon the American middle class while they spend the taxpayers money nationbuilding around the world while they broke the trust of the American people and forgot the promise of President Reagan to make America Great Again.
Bob,
I have followed your “travels” since German Ford days, and looked on your comments and observations on the auto industry as the last word. Sorry to see this era pass and I hope you have a long and eventful retirement.
In a comment of yours in a local newspaper today (Sunday), you were quotes as saying that “Everything has benn done that could be done to make SATURN a sucess. Now it’s time to pull the plug. I think SATURN was doomed from the beginning because of the rule that said ‘ NO DISCOUNT’. This scared a lot of people away because the cars were somehow over priced. They still feel that way.
Bob, keep flying!
It is my hope that someone within the company will read these common-sense steps I had attempted to put together in what promises to be the lowest cost way to reduce overhead and amount of brands under the GM umbrella. Shuttering a brand leads to many lawsuits by dealers and is incredibly expensive as seen with oldsmobile. hopefully the plan I have put together gets some attention from top GM-Brass and will be considered. Here it goes.
GM should take Vauxhall,Opel, and Saturn and consolidate the three different divisions. they should all sell the same product under the same brand name in different markets. Opel should become the surviving moniker/brand and the cost of the different brands is dramatically slashed.
This same principle should be applied to Chevrolet and GMC, they both sell the same product lines to similar core demographics but have different brands and dealership networks. Chevrolet and GMC should merge with Chevrolet being the surviving franchise.
Hummer and SAAB should be grouped together and sold to am emerging automaker looking for a foothold in several markets. With a little investment both Hummer and SAAB can become showpeice brands.
I personally would save Pontiac as its lineup does not overlap and caters to a sportier segment than any of GM’S other brands. I would keep Pontiac at least for the midterm and consider taking the brand international if GM’s fortunes improve, if the company still didnt reach profitability the brand most likely would have to be axed.
The above suggestions would cost way less than discontinuing a brand, that would involve dealer lawsuits and hefty costs of anywhere to $2-$3 billion as seen when oldsmobile was discontinued in the late 90’s.
Selling SAAB/Hummer
Consolidating Saturn/Vauxhall/ Opel into just the Opel Brand
Merging Chevrolet/GMC into Chevrolet
7 brands will be whittled down to two brands. clearer marketing and definition can be discovered and synergies will arise. the company will be on a solid footing with a more manageable company, poised for future growth. If this plan is not followed and GM decides to close brands and severely mismanage their divestment we might not see the company survive another three years.
Mr Lutz, I fell in love with the Solstice concept, wouldn’t buy one because of the different packaging. I didn’t like or want leather seats which was required with the options I wanted. Then came the GPX. I got almost what I wanted except for a 6speed manual. So, the new coupe version has a removable targa top? It seems like a waste of money and engineering when the drop top, as clumbsy as it is, was followed up by another stupid top, the target. Best of luck on your retirement.
Hey Bob – One thing to recommend. Living in New York, I am seeing less Crown Vic taxis and more Ford Escape Hybrids, some Altimas , some Malibu hybrids. I am always wondering why GM hasnt made a Chevy HHR taxi!!. Here is my logic: 1) The HHR turbocharges gets 22/30 mpg. That isnt far off the Malibu Hybird, and turbos are meant for NYC city traffic (quick starts, but 4-cyl mileage). 2) the cargo space is highest in its class for people coming to/from airports (though 3 in the back may be cramped). 3) I would like a version especially made for taxi service, that may have a slight change to the grille and the headlights to give it the old taxi feel (like in “Taxi” the show). 4) Can an extended wheelbase version be made? Legroom may be tight given the barrier cabbies put in. 5) If its cool looking, its good PR for GM!! HHR is beginning to end its life cycle, what a better way to end it by giving it such a high visibility sector.
I also think a G8 police car would be killer, but the economics may be tough given they are built in Oz.
Rick Rohde said: “I didn’t like or want leather seats which was required with the options I wanted. Then came the GPX. I got almost what I wanted except for a 6-speed manual.”
Rick,
You hit on a common complaint and one the car makers are apparently never going to learn: Why can’t we order a car with what we want on it, instead of what the car company thinks we should have?
Within reason, we should be able to pick from an ala carter list of options we’d like, and not be tied to options we don’t want that are bundled into a particular package or group.
If you don’t want leather seats, you should be able to order a car without leather seats, without giving up the other options in that package.
Will car companies ever learn that the key to their success is “customer satisfaction?”
I’m glad we haven’t gotten rid of you yet! Hopefully, you’ll be around awhile to spread your wisdom and to help GM get through this difficult period.
As cash strapped as GM is and your global resourses, why build the new LaCrosse instead of the new Insignia since it’s going to be a Buick in China. It looks like China gets the best Buicks. If we’re going global with the Cruze, it only makes sense to do the same with Insignia. Chevy and Cadillac seems to be our future in the world market. I think it’s time to put Pontiac, and Saturn to bed the way you’ve done with Saab. Those outstanding Saturn dealers could be the new Saab dealerships, maybe even partnered with Hummer until it’s sold. I never understood why Saturn’s dealership policies weren’t extended throughout GM. To me, dealer satisfaction always makes up for a below average product. As far as the Solstice, totally impractical when compared to the Miata, but I bought a GXP anyway, and to agree with Eric Planey, the HHR would make a nice taxi and the G8, as a Chevy, like it is in the middle east and South America would make a killer police car just like in Austrailia. Since the new Camaro was developed down under and is on Holdens web site as a concept along with the concept 60 coupe, why aren’t they getting one to replace the Monaro? Enuff
Hey Bob:
Not sure your remember me. I contacted you via this blog a few years ago concerning my quivering lip in a Honda dealership a few years ago as I felt compelled then as I do now, to buy what I consider to be a true American Car.
My last blog posting to you ended with ” What’s up with the Camaro” ?
I was able to see one at the SEMA show last year and am waiting for them to hit the lots here in Baton Rouge.
I am pushing 49 and my son Jack is 16 with a license to drive…Oh Brother !
I am ready to buy, even in the middle of this murk, I am ready to go.
It’s a sweet car, and I am looking forward to seeing them soon at the local Chevy dealer
Thanks for the committment to America
Mr Lutz
I am a long time GM owner, a habit learned from my own father. in the 50’s and
60’s I felt abandoned by the products in the 80’s and early 90’s and then bought a GMC Yukon which is a great truck
I was walking around the parking lot at the mall here in Miami and I was thinking about GM’s current practice of putting a GM badge on all its vehicles
If we put a Lutz badge on the cars that were designed by you imagine the all those Chryslers, the Grand Cherokee, the 300, the Viper and all those new GM designs as LUTZ badged cars.
We should start a Lutz car club
You will be sorely missed at General Motors after your retirement, however, I do not see you completely ever doing nothing, so I hope you keep active forever and keep us posted
Thanks for being an inspiration
M Ferro
All you guy’s have pretty much summed up my feelings as well for Mr. Lutz but there was something that would do every car guy and this great nation of ours a world of good and that would be if Mr. Lutz would work with the Obama admin. as the automobile czar they are looking for. This man has done great things were ever he has been, can you imagine how much good he would do for the auto industry in this country if he was the guy that had Obama’s ear. I believe that it would turn things around but more importantly it would be done right this time and we would really be able to compete in the world market again and besides who the hell wants Jay Leno doing that job. I know he is a bright car guy but really!!!!!!! Good Luck Mr. Lutz GOD SPEED
Great job at GM!!!!!!!!!!!! We will miss you so very much. I have been employed at GM for 36 years. I thought this day would never come. I was hoping you would stay to see the GM turnaround that is coming in the very near future, in a great part due to your vision and guidance. I am pleased to have met you on two occasions in Lansing MI. I thought is was so nice of you to take the time to shake my hand, and ask how long I have been on the job. I told my wife that you were the most respectful to me and my crew. I was injured on the job and lost part of my hand and don’t like to shake hands with people very often. But you did not seem to mind my missing fingers. My fingers were crushed in a hydraulic drill clamp…. Anyway, my missing fingers are my only regret through such an excellent career, with such a great crew. I wish you well and hope you will stay in contact with the management at GM to offer your continued wisdom and guidance. Please reconsider, but if not you may rest assured that you were the best executive that GM has had in quite a long period of time. I believe in the Chevy VOLT. I think that our plant will contribute to the production of this vehicle. At any rate good luck to you and I hope you can find some type of hobbies that are as rewarding as the joy you got from your contributions to the auto industry.
Jeff
There are just so few real car enthusiasts who occupy top spots in North American car companies- and Bob is one of them. May be, the only real one. That speaks volumes about the crucial mistake, about letting “bean counters” run this delicate show for way too long.
But, hey, Bob is 77 and it would be utterly unfair to beg him work till he drops. He is going to be around, he is just part of it all, and some vise advice here and there will be greatly appreciated.
That new Camaro…it made me sleepless!
I can’t wait to see it. And I will have it. I have to have it. It made me remember my childhood fantasies about cars…
THX BOB!
The interview you gave on 60 Minutes last year was very informative. Your ego is clearly inversely proportional to your competency. It’s a shame GM bond and stock holders weren’t rid of you long ago Mr. Lutz. How many biz jets do you own now?
Bob Lutz championed the import of the Holden Monaro to the United States as the Pontiac GTO. Other cars such as the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, Cadillac Converj Concept, Chevy Beat, Groove and Trax Concept Studies, are Lutz initiatives. Similar to Chrysler with its Prowler and Viper, General Motors now has models that were produced more for public relations and advertisement of the brand rather than to be volume selling money makers. When Lutz became chairman of GM North American development in 2001 one of the first things he stated was that his new 500 hp Cadillac Sixteen was going to save General Motors. Thanks for the great work.
When Lutz became chairman of GM North American development in 2001 one of the first things he stated was that his new 500 hp car was going to save General Motors. His full compensation in 2008 is estimated at $6.9 million……
My comment:
Being from Europe and knowing Lutz from Europe – (his Ego is as big as the front of the old Jag E type – if you know what I mean) – I know he has an enormous or better to say vast amount of blame into today’s situation of GM. Together with Rick he should be released from his job – which obviously he did not do well – forever. After all he was Chairman of GM North American development.
He misjudged the future of the Automobile style and type at Chrysler, as he did with GM, as he still misjudged the global warming. In general – he is a good guy – but was not the right guy for any product development and he has peaked in his performance since long. \
The NEW GM America better let him go.
Mr. Lutz –
Thank you for bringing us some of the best products (read: best looking and most powerful) to hit GM showrroms in over two decades. My wife & I bought an ‘07 Solstice GXP and put 12,000 miles on it (totally trouble-free, I might add) in less than ten months. It ran the quarter in 14 seconds flat on a sweltering day and gets 33 mpg Hwy. with the a/c at full blast. I am salivating over a G8 GXP, but cannot make that leap due to my current job situation. Someday, I will have one in my garage.
Your (and Mr. Wagoner’s) early departure from GM at the insistance of our inept President (that would be Mr. Obama to his supporters) was a dark day in the annals of GM history. I then see media coverage of GM tooling around Manhattan in a 2-place Segueway just after reading the news that GM has disbanded its performance engineering group and that all current high performance offerings will live out their life cycles and not likely be replaced. While the greenies are overjoyed at this news, the rest of us will likely defect to German brands.
I have six Pontiac products in my garage, ranging from a 1973 Firebird Formula to our aforementioned ‘07 Solstice. As long as GM builds Pontiacs capable of running 14 second quarter mile times while delivering at least mid-20’s Hwy., I will continue to buy them. I hope you are correct in your prediction that Mr. Stephens will continue your good work. Unless GM brass has the stones to tell the current administration that it’s customers WANT 500 horsepower vehicles and large SUV’s, the party is over.
Can I just say that I wish someone would ask the public what they want. I have 5 kids and refuse to drive around in a passenger van. I want something stylish and affordable and so far only GM products has been able to do that for me. I have always bought american to support my Michigan neighbors but if all the companies stop making vehicles that are practical for large families I will be forced to look else where.
I have a good job and the vehicles that GM makes are reliable in such a manner that we have had no real problems with them. So we haven’t had to buy anything else in a while. We put over 220K on our one family vehicle in just 4 short years.
I really enjoyed your speech and support of Michigan troops at the “Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Dinner”
It’s unfortunate that GM is where it is. Terrible product management is the biggest problem. No ability to provide what consumers want. Toyota, BMW, Mazda, Nissan, Honda et al are making it through this meltdown as they have products that people want. 98% of gm’s products are unsuccessful because the product management leader had lots of confidence, zeal and was well regarded as a car zcar, but didn’t actually know what the right products were/are to build. But lots of bold statements as to the expertise that was being brought to GM and how big changes were happening. “No more plastic body side mouldings! I’m making the big changes! Grand Prix looked terrible with all that plastic! Now it’ll be a great car and GM’ll be a great company again!”. Wow. Bold product improvements. You’re a genius. Yes, that car was terrible and was merely bad with the revised design. GM was run into the ground because of poor product management over the last 6 years (as well as the last 40).
Say what you want about Bob Lutz… he did great things for GM. Before Lutz the products were of good quality in a poor package. Bob knows where to spend money to make consumers ‘want’ a product. Examples include… wheel size, interiors, chrome door handles (sexy style). GM’s troubles started decades ago (1980’s) when executives made promises (at the demands of the rank and file) that are unsustainable in today’s market. Legacy costs, pensions and healthcare is killing GM… not Bob’s product. I too was a disbeliever (is that a word?). I laughed when GM thought they would sell 60,000 HHR’s. They sold 120,000. I was wrong, Bob was right.
People in this blog bust on Bob for having fancy (non GM) sports cars and airplanes. These are the types of people GM needs. People who are true ‘car guys’ with other hobbies. When the current corvette was a month from launch I asked a GM engineer if he was ‘geeked’ about the new ‘vette’ hitting the showrooms? He said, I haven’t seen/heard about the new corvette (not my program). What??? This isn’t a ‘car guy’. GM needs more insiders who love what they do and get excited.
Hey Bob, why don’t you return to Chrysler? That’s where you belong. Save that red-headed step child just like Lee Iacocca did. They deserve better than to be sent to the bankruptcy scrap yard. C’mon, your heart isn’t really in GM ……
I work for GM at the ex-Buick site in Flint. But own several Pontiacs. Buick is an Old Man’s car. Pontiac is a Young Person’s car. The future of General Motors is with Young People!!! Killing the Pontiac Division is the biggest of many recent mistakes. Where’s Bob Lutz when we need him????
Good bye, good luck, if you’re thinking of going to Tesla, don’t bother.
Most – if not all of you commentators – don’t get it.
It was clear that GM would not have a future. When Lutz was responsible for Product Development – where was the product that America needed in this downtime? Since product development in the car industry takes 7 years – there will be a long gap within. Whos fault is that? Product Development’s Division. Run by whom? Yeah you guessed it! That Lutz.
He smelled what was comming and left before he was fired as his boss. Of course you sell this to the public as a success.
Mr. Lutz
Thank you for all you have done for GM. Your life has been devoted to being a driving force for the businesses that were smart enough to hire you. The products you helped to champion that are in the pipeline will sure to come about sooner than later to the waiting customers.
dear mr. lutz i knew this would happen one day that gm would go thru this.bob u have done well but y do gm make the same cars like tahoe yukon
Dear Mr. Lutz: it sometimes seems that the Friday morning PDM meetings in the Chrysler building Design Dome at Highland Park were only moments away. In retrospect those were the best of days for Chrysler; it was never the same after you and so many other outstanding leaders, thanks to Bob Eaton, left the corporation. The spirit within the walls and halls of Chrysler died, never to be reborn.
Best of everything to you and your’s wherever your travels take you.
Wake up guys:
babel fish translation ;
1. Discount battle:
GM boss Rick Wagoner made a consequence-decision on 12 September 2001.
One day, after terrorists had brought the towers of the World trade of center in New York to the collapse and to be feared were that the shocked Americans had now different concerns to buy than cars to reacted Wagoner like a shopkeeper on the weekly market: It began to dissipate its cars. Patriotically it called the beginning of an unparalleled discount battle ” Keep America Rolling” (hold America in motion). Ford and Chrysler had to along-pull perforce. There was much criticism, but Wagoner remained stubborn: ” For us the strategy is richtig.” It erred. Of this discount action the three automakers did not recover any longer.
2. Cost dictation:
Who operates like GM the autobuilding exclusively under the criterion of cost avoidance, it should leave better alike. The fact that such must lead company politics sometime to the Crash was often predicted. The adjustment on short term successes, in order to produce (often by force) positive quarterly results, is not wrong only. This Geschäftspolitik leads also again and again to operational hecticness, rapid model changes and, if the paragraph does not win at momentum, to ruinous financing offers.
3. Placement error:
Rick Wagoner got at that time 69-jährigen Robert A. Lutz to 2001 that in the house and assigned it 2005 the global production development. Lutz is valid in the industry as ” Car Guy” , as a man with gasoline in the blood. It should modernize the model range. But from this nothing became. In addition Lutz estimated the US market magnificent wrongly: ” Even with a sharp recession in the USA I do not see a US manufacturer disappearing, and does not uns” already at all; , it said in December 2007 to the economic week.
4. Model Nirwana:
Who clicks the GM Internet site http://www.gm.com, stands before an unclear multiplicity of car models. Altogether general of engine in the USA offers 93 basis models, to engine variants not counted, the company marks Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, lobsters, Saturn/OPELs, GMC and Saab. Many of it differ outwardly only by a new emblem at the radiator grille and by a few other trim.
5. Marketing Murks:
There is no clear positioning of the marks. Thus resemble each other strong Chevrolet, Buick and Saturn of the image. They more or less stand for conventionalness. Pontiac, once equipped with sporty painting, has for a long time muscle decrease, and Cadillac, formerly the synonym for luxury in each regard, is only a shade of this requirement. Furthermore kommunikativ hybrid of everything runs inclined with the topic. Although GM has already hybrid models on the road, the people think with the word hybrid of Toyota.
6. Ill solution:
GM is the largest health insurer of the country. Not only for a majority of the staff GM takes over the patient costs, but also for their member as well as for most former coworkers including their families. That is for more than 50 years like that. Altogether GM pays the medicines, doctor’s bills and hospital stays for over one million humans. But the company must each year spend more than seven billion dollar .
7. Reality loss:
Rick Wagoner stated opposite the economic week, its enterprise is healthy in the reason and needs the state aid only, in order to come over the financial crisis. Fact is however that most GM models do not fit into the time, why they stand themselves with the dealers the tires flatly. The credit-worthiness of the company is used up, Zuberhörfirmen supplies only against cash payment. Analysts of the German bank set the objective of the course for the GM share to zero.
8. Embarrassing nicking:
In the middle of November can be flown GM boss Rick Wagoner in the firm jet from Detroit to Washington to a senate hearing, around there (together with the bosses of Ford and Chrysler) several billions dollar survival assistance from the government to erbetteln. In run the meeting asked a senator for shows of hands, who from the three gentlemen by line machine to the capital traveled. A finger did not even move. Later GM announced that the leased airplane fleet is returned.
9. Misguided policy:
Only under the pressure of the threatening insolvency Rick Wagoner announces that one wants to develop now economical drives. Although experts already demand this for years, Wagoner let build for many years steadfastly far large Spritfresser. And now OPEL, which GM daughter, who has the urgently needed know-how for economical engines, for arrangement because management of the group in the last 20 years a wall did not omit, possibly stands against which one slam could.
10. Self-assessment.
For many years GM writes red numbers. However since 2005 more than 70 billion dollar loss accumulated. Rick Wagoner nevertheless considers its income of more than 14 million dollar (with Boni and share options) in 2007 justified. He said that with the hearing before the senate committee in November. And yesterday, on 17 February, Mister announced Missmanagement that not only 47000 places are painted (from world-wide 245000 GM jobs), but also that further 30 billion state dollar are needed, so that the company survives.
Conclusion:
EVERYBODY CAN DO BOBS OR RICKS – JOB – YOU MUST JUST HAVE TO GET THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS – THATS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT IN AMERICAN MANAGEMENT!
AGAIN EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT IS MUCH BETTER – forget the one which is only after money: the present – but not for long anymore – porsche boss – wedeking! He is and will be an outsider and gone in the next 6 month.