Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM
Lutz to be succeeded by Opel's Forster
Rick Wagoner, Carl-Peter Forster, and Bob Lutz
Bob Lutz has already retired at least once from an executive position at a car-maker when he left DaimlerChrysler following the merger. When he joined General Motors a few years back to oversee its product development, he was already well past the standard retirement age and by next year he will be 75 years old. According to Just-Auto.com, GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster has been informed by Chairman Rick Wagoner that he will be taking over Lutz's seat on the board of directors as well as his role leading product development in 2008. You may remember Forster's comment from last October that by 2014 the Saturn and Opel brands would be completely interchangeable. Among Forster's responsibilities will be overseeing this so-far successful collaboration between Opel and Saturn. According to the article, the Opel Zafira mini-van and the Vectra Wagon will also be joining the Astra and Aura in the Saturn line-up in the coming years. Can General Motors sustain its momentum with the Car Czar at the helm? On the other hand, perhaps importing executives as well platforms from Europe is just GM needs.
[Source: Just-Auto.com - subscription required]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CF 1:28PM (1/15/2007)
I don't know much about Forster, but this sounds ok. One question, though: I thought GM was done with the minivans? What's this about the Zafira becoming a Saturn?
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Jimborino 2:39PM (1/15/2007)
Yesterday i read on The Truth About Cars that GM doesn'r make and will not make profit on cars imported from Europe for Saturn. Because of exchange rate.
So i hope all those Opel/Saturns will be built in USA
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Sam Abuelsamid 2:43PM (1/15/2007)
The Zafira is actually a smaller van, than the soon to go Uplander et al. It's based off the Astra platform is closer in size to the Mazda CX-7 than anything GM sells stateside right now. It is a little more upright and van like than the CX-7 though.
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andoni 2:49PM (1/15/2007)
to forster occupies the position of lutz, and hans h demant (Opel-chef) must assume the presidency of Adam Opel GmBH and the GM Europe from Rüsselsheim
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Jaden 6:41PM (1/15/2007)
The Zafira is a Mazda 5 sized "space wagon" not a mini van.
Now all GM needs to do is have Holden becom pontiac and kill buick and GMC then they wil be good
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Joe B 11:22PM (1/15/2007)
It is truly a sad day! Time to sell my GM stock. What a poor way to go for the man responsible for the Camaro, the new CTS, the Volt, the new PickUp trucks and countless other projects. I never liked that weasel Wagoner.
Kudos to Mr. Lutz for all his service to America in both the armed services and at General Motors. His accomplishments have truly affected all of us in a very positive way.
We thank you!!
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shiznannigan 3:52AM (1/16/2007)
I'd love to see a Zafria VXR here in the states! Excellent for a small family that doesn't want or can't afford an SUV (Especially since "compact" SUVs are growing fatter and fatter).
http://parkers.mirror.co.uk/imagecache/file/300/archive/Vauxhall/Zafira%20VXR/VX_05305.jpg
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Phil 11:44AM (1/16/2007)
Carl-Peter Forster was a manufacturing guy from BMW. He needs to be the CEO of GM. Let Rick just be CHAIRMAN.
Carl's friend from BMW, who was let go simultaneously in a board scuffle and WAS BMW'S CHIEF ENGINEER, should be the one to take over as product development czar. Hint hint, he gave us the glorious new Range Rover and the deliscious Volvo lineup highlighted by the XC90.
His name is WOLFGANG REITZLE.
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