Despite helming the Volt project, Lutz is no tree hugger. In his grandest foot-in-mouth moment since joining GM, last year he dubbed global warming “a crock of shit,” a remark he now acknowledges was “politically incorrect.” Lutz, no scientist, believes that sunspots are a more likely cause of global warming than human-generated carbon dioxide. Mainstream scientists note a positive correlation between sunspot activity and global warming effects, but few identify it as the main cause of the greenhouse effect.
Sunspots or not, Lutz insists his views on global warming won’t affect his work. More regulation, tighter fuel standards, higher energy prices: All, he knows, are inevitable. “My motivation is to be petroleum-free,” he says. “If anyone thinks we’re going to reach higher mileage standards using gas engines, they’re nuts. I don’t think the internal combustion engine is going away soon, but the electrification of the automobile is a necessity.” No matter what, Lutz says, the Volt program will go forward. “The Volt is our highest priority,” he says. “Everything else can get cut, but the Volt won’t.”
Not that GM has a choice. If the Volt does not fulfill Lutz’s promises, if it costs too much (rumors point to a $35,000 price tag versus the Prius’s $22,000), if it does not arrive on time (it’s set to hit showrooms late next year), it won’t matter whether GM survives from month to month on bailout fumes. If the Volt doesn’t make it, GM won’t either.
—-
As the sun rises over the German gingerbread main house at the Lutz farm in Ann Arbor, Lutz’s beautiful wife Denise (his third) heads to the barn to care for the horses. Close by, Lutz’s MD 500E helicopter sits ready for his morning commute.
Lutz folds his frame into his copter, fires it up, and lifts off northeast toward GM’s Tech Center in nearby Warren. The flight takes him to the edge of burned-out Detroit. “You become immune to the ugliness,” Lutz says.
The last great car guy in Detroit descends again into the fray, knowing there’s still much to do. Lutz will continue to build great cars and try to undo Daddy’s effect on car buyers. Trouble is, Lutz is about all that separates the GM of today from the bean-counting days of the recent past, and he won’t be around forever. “The day he retires,” one longtime GM supplier told me, “the traditional GM culture will move in like the tide and wash away the sand castle that Bob built.”
This article originally appeared in the March 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
Print this article
March 5th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Lutz’s comments exemplify exactly what most Americans find despicable about the top-level executives managing the “Big Three” automakers. Comments such as “I hated to see three distinguished executives who are blameless put through that ordeal.” In reference to the Congressional hearings in which all three took private jets to attend. Seriously?! Those of us whose tax dollars you’re “borrowing” didn’t mismanage the automakers into financial ruin, it was their own poor designs and lack of ability to effectively manage their relationships with the unions that landed them in the positions they’re in.
And for the record, I happen to own both an ’09 Chevy Malibu and a ’00 Honda Accord. The new Malibu doesn’t hold a candle to my 9-year-old Accord with 140K miles, from both a fit and finish and a reliability perspective. Comparing Chevy to Honda is ludicrous!
[Reply]
Don Reply:
March 17th, 2009 at 11:30 am
“And for the record, I happen to own both an ‘09 Chevy Malibu and a ‘00 Honda Accord. The new Malibu doesn’t hold a candle to my 9-year-old Accord with 140K miles, from both a fit and finish and a reliability perspective. Comparing Chevy to Honda is ludicrous!”
Glad you like your 140K Mile Accord, that is a fantastic car. I am wondering how you are able to predict reliability on a vehicle no more than a few months old though? You’re crazy if you don’t like the new Malibu.
[Reply]
April 1st, 2009 at 12:39 am
General Motors is getting close to going bankrupt and to being liquidated. Ineptitude and greed of its management, its board, and its union are finally catching up with the former king of the automotive industry.
[Reply]
April 1st, 2009 at 12:41 am
What can be made of this debacle called General Motors? Will they survive or wont they? Will saving GM save Jobs?
[Reply]
June 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Looks like Bob Lutz filled his helicopter with big tax payers money, fipped the stupid people holding the bag and go off into the golden sun set.
Thanks Bob… and not even a reach around!
[Reply]
June 15th, 2009 at 9:55 am
No Surprise that GM had to sink like the Titanic.. Just the pain and hard work of 300 Million Taxpayers going down the drain.. Whose responsible for that?
[Reply]
June 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Did Gm deserve the bailout? You Ask me I would say NO.. why? When Honda and Toyota were out inventing new cars, GM was busy boasting about its pride and Showing off its hungry hungry Daughter the Hummer
[Reply]
December 30th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
What add-on
[Reply]
January 15th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Hello, nice blog, plenty of nice info, will return in a while to see more.
[Reply]
March 17th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Hello Readers,
I have a website which is helpful for the people across uk, and mainly situated in Banbury, so that i want to share it with all of you, please visit:
driving schools in Banbury
http://www.banbury-driving-lessons.co.uk/
A Driving schools based in Banbury supplies driving lessons from £15 by DSA approved driving instructors
[Reply]
August 15th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
yes there are beautiful! very good.
[Reply]
October 11th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Nice post! I might finally listen to what you are saying. Overall your entire blog is great
[Reply]