Bob Lutz moves to senior advisor role, will retire at end of '09
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Feb 9th 2009 at 11:18AM 
Shucks, things are bound to be a heck of a lot less interesting without Bob Lutz around. According to General Motors, the automaker's own Car Czar will transition from his current role as Vice Chairman – Global Product Development to the position of Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor on April 1 and officially retire at the end of the year. The automotive world is sure to be a quieter place.
Lutz's absence means that there will be some very big shoes to fill in GM's executive ranks, and GM's Board of Directors has responded by promoting Thomas G. Stephens to Lutz's vacated role, again effective in early April. Past vehicles brought to market under Lutz's watch at GM include the 2004 Pontiac GTO, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky duo and, most recently, the Pontiac G8 sports sedan.
One major project that won't quite be completed when Lutz leaves is the Chevy Volt, a vehicle championed by Lutz since its debut as a concept back in 2007. GM's product line may change somewhat as a result of Lutz's retirement, but we'll all surely miss his eminent quotability just as much.
[Source: General Motors | Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty]
PRESS RELEASE:
Bob Lutz moves to Senior Advisor Role; Will Retire at End of 2009; Tom Stephens Becomes Vice Chairman - Global Product Development
DETROIT – GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner today announced that Robert A. Lutz, GM Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, will transition to a new role effective April 1, 2009 as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor. Lutz, 76, will provide strategic input into GM's global design and key product initiatives until his retirement at the end of 2009. He will continue to report to Wagoner.
Wagoner also announced that effective April 1, 2009 the GM Board of Directors elected Thomas G. Stephens, Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, reporting to President and Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson. Stephens, 60, is currently Executive Vice President, Global Powertrain and Global Quality. In this new assignment, Stephens will maintain his responsibility for overseeing GM's global quality activity.
Concurrent with this appointment, GM is restructuring its global powertrain group to integrate powertrain functional activities into their respective global GM functions. Accordingly, in his new role, Stephens will have responsibility for global powertrain engineering, in addition to global design, product engineering, product planning and program management. Powertrain manufacturing will report to Gary Cowger, Group Vice President of GM Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations. Other staffs that support the GM Powertrain organization will be integrated into their respective global functions. These moves represent another important step in GM's restructuring initiative to create a leaner, more efficient organization.
"Bob Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in 2001," Wagoner said, "and he's added to that by leading the creation of a string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here. 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," Wagoner added. "I'm looking forward to Bob's continued contributions to GM for the remainder of 2009 – and I know the impact of his efforts leading GM global product development will continue for years to come.
"Tom Stephens is the perfect guy to take the reins of GM's global product development," Wagoner continued. "He's had extensive experience in virtually every aspect of our global product development activities. With his 40 years at GM, Tom has an extraordinary understanding of our products and our organization, and is highly respected worldwide. I'm confident that with Tom's passion for great products and vast knowledge of advanced propulsion, he will continue to raise the bar in executing outstanding GM cars and trucks.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
G-Meister 11:30AM (2/09/2009)
While Maximum Bob has certainly been a strong force in driving some key product at GM (and Chrysler in an earlier life), I think we''l miss the random stuff that cpomes out of his mouth at in-opportune times the most. Maybe he's just pissed about some politician taking his title w/o asking.
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Tool 11:59AM (2/09/2009)
I'm not always a big fan of Bob Lutz, but I respect what he has accomplished since he joined GM. And where he has taken the company in terms of design and execution.
Replacing Bob Lutz is a tough job. I'm not sure why they would want to bring in someone who has led the design of the Pontiac GTO, the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky duo and Pontiac G8.
These were arguably the least successful new product offerings from the General over the past decade.
TomdeTomTom 12:07PM (2/09/2009)
@Tool
Not massively sold, but good niche vehicles for car guys. Without him Pontiac would have no mojo left at all by now.
And the last thing I want to see is them become Toyota and sell only Camry-ish car variants for sales (RIP, Celica, Supra, MR2...anything interesting...)
Sea Urchin 12:16PM (2/09/2009)
@ Tooooool
"Replacing Bob Lutz is a tough job. I'm not sure why they would want to bring in someone who has led the design of the Pontiac GTO, the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky duo and Pontiac G8."----------------------Each and every car you listed did not sell well AT ALL, all were financial disasters, but i have to say all were exceptionally good looking cars. Solstice/Sky are simply amazing.
Corey W. 12:20PM (2/09/2009)
@Tool
I'd take a G8 or Sky over anything Toyota or Honda is offering. Maybe least sucessful, but we all know, now-a-days, boring cookie cutters is what sells....
Sea Urchin 12:29PM (2/09/2009)
Corey W. You have a good point there, but that's where Lutz failed big time, he saw unable to bring cars that would sell big and sell at profit.
Look, Astra was here during high oil prices, that car was in near perfect time in USA, people were giving SUVs away, everyone wanted small cars (this was all prior to credit crunch) but even in these near perfect conditions Astra did not sell..........what about now? If it sold so poorly in near perfect conditions how badly is it selling now?
As for G8, prior to credit crunch average Pontiac dealer sold 1 G8 every other month.....................again that was prior to credit crunch, what about now?
That is where Bob cost GM dearly.
Corey W. 2:33PM (2/09/2009)
@Sea Urchin
But look at the reviews of the Astra, isn't it like one of the best selling cars in Europe, and from what I've seen, received nothing but praise from it's customer base. Low sales (US), yes, but think about how many commercials you saw for this car. GM screwed itself with the introduction of the car, which IMO lead to the low sales of what seemed to be a good car for the time.
G8, Well.... yeah, I'll agree that it was just the wrong car at the wrong time for GM, maybe better engine choices like a 4 cyl. would have helped. But gas prices didn't just push SUV owners into maybe a large or midsize sedans, it was so bad, it pushed them into small fuel efficient cars, basically destroying the G8.
I just fear design will soon take not the back seat but the trunk, when it comes to the automotive industry.
Judy Zik 11:30AM (2/09/2009)
Well that's one down at GM and one to go.
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zamafir 11:39AM (2/09/2009)
Yup, probably the best news we've heard out of GM in a long time. One of the advantages of this recession is cleaning house of old nostalgic notions that simply aren't reasonable or equitable in the current reality of the market place or 2009 in general.
alex 11:46AM (2/09/2009)
Are you serious? did you see the cars GM was making 10 years ago before Lutz was hired? Are you going to argue those were better? Is the Catera really better than the CTS?
Sea Urchin 11:51AM (2/09/2009)
I have to say that Lutz probably was the most "useful" of the top management.
Holden Miecranc 11:53AM (2/09/2009)
Yeah, because the new designs that came out of GM during his tenure were all massive failures. Seems to me his record for improving the productline at GM was pretty good.
Judy Zik 12:05PM (2/09/2009)
Yes he had a few hits like the Malibu. He is also behind major failures like the GTO and the Saturn Sky at GM. Overall his product lines have not been a success. Too much focus on flashy projects us enthusiasts love and not enough focus on the meat and potatoes vehicles that sell and keep a company alive.
zamafir 12:21PM (2/09/2009)
"did you see the cars GM was making 10 years ago before Lutz was hired? Are you going to argue those were better?"
Just curious, 10 years ago, was GM making money? Save the CTS, Malibu, and maybe 2 or 3 more (G8, great car, not a huge seller, etc), amongst GM's line up of what 70 odd cars, how many are really appealing and making money today? Running a car company is as much about keeping the business in the black as it is catering to enthusiasts.
David 2:38PM (2/09/2009)
@Judy Zik
I am wondering how you can call the Sky or Solstice a "massive failure" when individually they each outsold the Mazda Miata by a factor of 2. Would you call the Miata a "massive failure"?
MajorGeek 11:32AM (2/09/2009)
Know what would be funny? If he was to follow standard GM release schedules and put off his retirement each year for another year. Of course he would also need to look ready for a refresh by then as well.
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Chet 11:37AM (2/09/2009)
It'll be easy for critics to take potshots -- the ungracious, for example, might point out that none of the cars mentioned above has brought much profit or even significant buzz outside the realm of auto geekdom -- but it's hard to underestimate the significance of his contributions to GM's turnaround. Lutz proved there were actually guys within GM who liked cars and were empowered to make them better. Were it not for him, GM wouldn't be in a recoverable position today. GM needs a Car Guy up front making people believe in the product and the company. I hope Mr. Stephens is that guy.
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JB 11:43AM (2/09/2009)
Seems like the guy knows when to jump off the sinking ship
J.Crew 11:50AM (2/09/2009)
Bob will be missed by real car people. GM and Lutz haters can go F themselves.
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Esprit bird 11:49AM (2/09/2009)
So he has the Kappa twins, which are good, he messed up the GTO name with a plain looking but powerful coupe, and now has replaced a high volume seller (Grand Prix) with a higher priced BMW style car at a Pontiac dealership. I am not a fan of Lutz but he has been part of a good revitalization at GM, with Caddy now being a real contender, Buick not being horrible and TRYING to give Pontiac a name but i am glad Bob's retiring. I always hated his voice lol especially when he said "no plans for the Firebird"...guys don't take this post too seriously.
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