Those who keep up with the auto world will be losing a vocal champion of vehicle development and design at the end of this year. General Motors Vice Chairman of Product Development, Bob Lutz, aka Maximum Bob, announced yesterday that he will resign from the company that he has been with since 2001. During his nearly 50-year career in the automotive industry, Lutz has worked for other auto giants including GM, Ford, Chrysler, and BMW.
Luz will transition from his role as Vice Chairman of Global Product Development to Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor on April 1, 2009. Lutz, 76, will enter retirement at the end of 2009.
GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner had nothing but praise for Lutz. "Bob Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in 2001 and he's added to that by leading the creation of a string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here,” Wagoner remarked. “His 46 years of experience in the global automotive business have been invaluable to us. I've personally learned a great deal from Bob and have very much enjoyed the time we've worked together.”
Bob Lutz has always been a fan of vehicles that gearheads would be inclined to purchase. One of Lutz’s pet projects was the revitalized Pontiac GTO which was brought over as a 2004 model from Australia. The GTO, which was based on the Holden Monaro, got plenty of flak here in the U.S. due to its somewhat bland styling; however, its performance and pricing were quite competitive for its class. Unfortunately for Lutz and GM, the GTO was considered a sales failure -- the vehicle ceased production in late 2006. However, the Australia-U.S. mashup still lives on in the form of the 4-door Pontiac G8 sedan which is based on the Holden Commodore.
Other Lutz pet projects included the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky twins which are targeted at Mazda’s much-loved MX-5 Miata. Both models went from concept to production in record time thanks to Lutz’s involvement and extensive use of existing GM parts including engines, transmissions, and suspension pieces in the vehicle.
Lutz has also been instrumental in the hugely successful redesigns of the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS. With both vehicles, Lutz wanted to target Japanese and European vehicles for features, styling, and interior quality. Both vehicles have won much praise with auto journalists and consumers alike and they rank near the top of their respective classes.
Lutz was quick to point out that his departure from GM at this moment in time was more satisfying given GM’s newfound vigor for quality vehicles throughout its lineup. “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,” said Lutz. “That unquestionable fact made a very difficult decision much easier for me.”
Most recently, Lutz has been instrumental in the development of the Chevrolet Volt and has been a loud, vocal supporter of the vehicle. The Volt is scheduled to enter production in late 2010 and will showcase the technical and engineering prowess of GM. The Volt can travel 40 miles on a full charge thanks to its power electric drive motor and its lithium-ion battery pack. Once the 40-mile range is exhausted, a gasoline engine-generator kicks in to recharge the battery pack and keep the vehicle moving for an additional 200+ miles.
With regards to the Volt, Lutz said yesterday, “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.”
Bob Lutz, however, hasn’t been without his critics during his tenure at GM. Lutz has been known to speak his mind and doesn’t mince his words when it comes to the auto industry or GM’s competitors. Over the years, Lutz has taken swipes at Toyota’s Camry which is America’s best-selling car and has questioned or denounced – often rightfully so – quality and dependability surveys which have positioned Japanese auto manufacturers ahead of their American counterparts.
More recently, Lutz came under fire for saying that global warming was a “total crock of ****”. Unlike most people when on the receiving end of criticism for a controversial statement – especially for a person in his position – Lutz didn’t back down at all from his viewpoint. “My beliefs are mine and I have a right to them, just as you have a right to yours,” said Lutz in February 2008. “My thoughts on what has or hasn’t been the cause of climate change have nothing to do with the decisions I make to advance the cause of General Motors. My opinions on the subject – like anyone’s – are immaterial. Really. The point is not why and how did we get where we are, it’s what are we going to do to get where we’re going.”
Bob Lutz, always a colorful character, has left a lasting mark on GM and hopefully his spirit and dedication to product development and product quality will live on long after he leaves the company later this year. Most importantly, Lutz seems quite confident that GM will stay on the right track. “I remain as confident as ever in the future of General Motors and the continued excellence of its products,” added Lutz. “And you’ll see even more evidence of that as the next few years unfold.”
