GM’s Bob Lutz On the Automotive Industry and More
In an interview with reporters in Arlington, Texas GM vice chairman Bob Lutz aired his thoughts on global warming, hybrid cars, and the industry – quite candidly.
Lutz told reporters that hybrid cars by Toyota “make no economic sense
Comments
MJK
I love this guy! Only at this point in his career can he have the freedom to say whatever he wants. He's done everything.... what does he have to lose!
southern
I love my new CTS!
The New Malibu is the ratz!
Buick is doing some gooooood things.
And while I don't necessarily believe that GW is a crock, I DO believe that the GWers claiming a "consensus" among scientists, is a Crock of ****.
We will all miss Bob Lutz when he goes.
He's just about the last of the real car guys.
People will forever remember him and his cars.
That will never happen to Hideaki Otaka.
Scratch
Way to go, Bob! I'd like to shake your hand. I'll be the first one in line when the Volt comes out.
hwyhobo
Another old fool presiding over the demise of the American auto industry.
Rip
LEt's see Bob Lutz has reigned over a company that just announced the biggest loss in corporate history and we should want his insights into fuel economy - hybrids or anything auto because????
When someone leads their company to the abyss - it's usually not a good idea to follow - nor solicit their opinions!!
Scott in AZ
Mr. Lutz - Bravo to you for having that testicular fortitude to say what you mean and not care about being PC. I too will be eager to see the Volt come out and would like to say that I appreciate you recognizing the true artistic nature of cars.
"A car is an exciting mobile sculpture that you want to own, drive and be seen in." That statement refelects exactly how I feel about cars. Even if it the best car in the world... if it's ugly I don't want anything to do with it.
Corco16446
Lutz hasn't driven the company to the abyss- that would be Ron Zarella. Lutz has done a remarkable job of helping to pull GM out of its hole. The product they are turning out today compared to 10 years ago doesn't even compare
jgriff
GM is far from an abyss. He's a brave man to speak about global warming like this. They'll be sending him to a re-education camp if he doesn't think right.
Russ Bellinis
GM spent the better part of 20-30 getting to the position they are in now. Don't blame the guy who came on board in the last couple of years just because he got on board just barely in time to "go down with the ship."
hwyhobo
Sorry, anyone who produces a joke like the Malibu "hybrid" that gets 2 (TWO) mpg more than regular one should shut up on the subject.
Jonathan Fung
I like Bob Lutz, but what hwyhobo said was on my mind too. That Malibu hybrid is a total joke. It's a grand example of a hybrid that makes no economic sense.
Bruce
Bob Lutz has to be the last true car guy in Detroit. While many are pointing out that GM is losing money, more people are buying GM cars becouse Lutz is bringing supiorior products to market. We can blam the lost money on the unions. Long live Lutz!
Rex
Wow! Lutz right about one thing and wrong about other. He so represent GM so well.
I agree he is a great car guy, especially when it comes to styling. As to the Volt I'll be GM cheerleader when it comes out but until then I'll just cheer on those that seem to want to embrace a better way of doing things now.
As to those that seem to want to blame the Unions because they are the ones that Greenlight products, Design the products and Market them too. Who will you blame when they are no more unions workers in America? I guess the customers then.
Ducati Minor
I like the old man. I disagree with him about global warming, but I do understand the skepticism by some who see agenda-driven politicians and celebs riding the bandwagon. And I'm not with GM on the mild-hybrids. They make no financial sense. He's only half-right about Toyota and Honda. The Prius and Civic Hybrid are the two most fuel-efficient cars in America, and they can be had for $23,000, while averaging over 40 mpg. The Honda and Toyota petrol-electrics are also sold as premium-equipped model variants of the regular versions of the platform.
The consequence of the Honda Accord Hybrid has been this nasty stain on the value. The Accord Hybrid had slightly better performance than a gas-only V-6 sedan and mileage a little above a base inline-four, but the price averaged about $32,000. The car was, understandably, a flop. The present Camry Hybrid is a better deal, though still a noticeable jump in price. So many of the hybrid trim packages (from the $40K Toyota Highlander Hybrid to the $100K Lexus LS600h) just don't average out--that includes GM's new (and very well-built) hybrid trucks.
He's dead-on about diesel in Europe. There's this myth that the whole continent rides on 70% diesel. That's a load of bull. Some Central and West European energy ministries tax the fuels to have the cost of petrol even with or more than diesel, making it economically sensible to buy an £18,000 saloon with a small diesel engine averaging 31 mpg over a £16,000 petrol hatch averaging just 24. I would not discount diesel engines for America (they should be available for light trucks to start with), but he has a real point about the hype generating from the diesel crowd and the US auto press.
Steven T
More red meat from Lutz. Yawn.
Tony D
Who cares if diesel costs the same as gasoline when diesel takes you 30% further (on average) than gas? The people that bring that up as a point simpley betray the fact that they have no experiance with diesel powered vehicles.
If the only thing diesel had going for it was a slightly lower price than gasoline, then the entire tractor trailering business would probably have stuck with the cheaper to build gasoline engine. But, when you're stuck with the reality of moving exceptionally heavy loads, the value of diesel over gasoline becomes blatantly obvious.
That advantage is still there when you reduce the vehicle to the size of your average family vehicle.
Tony D
And, this same Lutz that is poo-pooing diesel because it costs the same as gas, is bragging that his company produces the most E85 (ethanol) compatible vehicles of any company in the world.
Ethanol is a joke. A gallon of the stuff takes you less further than a gallon of gasoline, and costs, usually, more.
So let me get this straight; diesel-bad, ethanol-good?
Someone get this doddering old man a f*cking calculater.
hwyhobo
Someone get this doddering old man a f*cking calculator.
Or a dog to lick his feet, a rocking chair, and a fireplace. Just get him the h*ll out of GM together with most of the VPs. Not sure that it would stop the decline, but at least it would send a message.
The old fart has never bothered to calculate mileage on his car or has ever driven a diesel, so how could he possibly know that diesel is 30% more fuel efficient? Besides, why would he care with his compensation package. He is out of touch with reality, just like most of our politicians.
Oollyoumn
GM should have offered buyout packages to their kLutz and their dick. These guys don't have a clue.
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Kevin
Wasn't it GM who DESTROYED the diesel name in this country in the first place! HELLO! GM and Ford deserve what they have earned. Talk about rearranging the deck chairs. The ship is sinking..........
klarens
i agree with the diesel enthusiasts. the diesel fuel gives you 30% more and cost less than gasoline. for some reason diesel is more expensive in the gas stations than gas. if you do the math the oil companies makes more dollars selling expensive diesel. if the price is the same like many european countries here will be a lot more diesels. jetta tdi gives more than 40mpg. hybrids at this moments doesn't make sense.if driving in a heavy city traffic start-stop yes but anywhere else is a nonsense.
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