Autoblog

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #246 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Etc., Ford, GM, Mazda, Porsche

We record Episode #246 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop Chris, Dan, Executive Editor Paukert, and Zach your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening, too. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #246

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #246 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #175 - Bob Lutz joins in

Dan Roth — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Subaru, Earnings/Financials, Celebrities, Design/Style

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth are joined by the car executive we all wish we could be when we grow up, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. After an hour of peppering Bob with questions about his career, we come away better informed as to where the man stands on the industry's future, how GM will fare, his favorite concept cars, what he plans to do in his retirement, and - pivotally - how to get your wife to let you buy a MiG fighter jet. It's a hour and thirteen minutes of class lecture from Mr. Lutz. Enjoy!

Autoblog Podcast #175: Bob Lutz!

In the Autoblog Garage:

Long-term Subaru Legacy 2.5GT
Chevrolet Camaro V6 6MT
Buick Enclave
Mini John Cooper Works Cabrio

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid

Guest:

Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors

Runtime: 1:13:46

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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

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Autoblog Podcast #175 - Bob Lutz joins in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Lutz to retire from GM... again

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

It's the end of an era, folks. There are reports this afternoon all over the internet that General Motors' Vice Chairman, "Maximum" Bob Lutz, will officially retire on May 1. Those keeping track will remember that Lutz initially announced his retirement back in February of 2009, but then later chose to remain with GM, heading the marketing and communications teams.

The 78-year-old Lutz has been credited for rejuvenating GM's product development, and has been the company's most outspoken champion of the all-important Chevy Volt. In recent months, as the pay scales for the company's top 25 executives were being reviewed by the U.S. Treasury Department, Lutz commented to The Detroit News that most executives were "way, way, way" underpaid, so it's possible that this could be a key factor in his decision to leave GM. However, we can only speculate at this moment since neither GM nor Lutz has released an official statement yet. As the ongoing executive shuffle at GM continues to work itself out, we won't be surprised if official word comes in the very near future.

[Sources: The Detroit News, CNBC]

BREAKING: Lutz to retire from GM... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just Kidding! Bob Lutz apparently isn't walking away from GM just yet

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

As General Motors was stumbling toward insolvency earlier this year and it became clear that the presidential task force was going to require some heads to roll, Bob Lutz announced his retirement at the end of this year. Now that the "New" General Motors has emerged from bankruptcy, it appears Lutz wants to keep his commitment to drive the first production Chevy Volt off the line in 2010.

The first stage of Lutz's retirement involved relinquishing his duties as product development chief last April to Tom Stephens. Lutz was to remain as a special advisor for the rest of this year, however, the Detroit Bureau is reporting Lutz will stick around for an indeterminate amount of time to advise CEO Fritz Henderson. Henderson's background is on the finance side of the business, so perhaps GM wants someone else on the inside advising on future product. This will be particularly important over the next several years as GM pares down its model and brand lineup to determine what to keep and what to toss.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Just Kidding! Bob Lutz apparently isn't walking away from GM just yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz: Volvo and Saab could save themselves by merging

Dan Roth — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Saab, Volvo

Saab and Volvo have been down this road before, back in the 1970s. In fact, the two Swedish automakers were a hair away from merging 240s and 900s back in the day, but instead followed separate paths. Now, with both brands facing difficult sales numbers and uncertain futures, Bob Lutz thinks a merger sounds good once again. Lutz thinks it'd be a way for Ford and General Motors to both rid themselves of problematic business units. The soon-to-be former Car Czar for GM offers no insight about how the merged companies might actually make money - both automakers have lots of red on the balance sheets - and while Volvo has secured a promise of $546 million from the European Investment Bank, Saab's been having a tougher go of it. In the end, a merger between Saab and Volvo would be great for their parent companies, but we're not yet clear on how exactly it would benefit the Swedish brands as they hold on for dear life.

[Source: thelocal, Photo by read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty]

Lutz: Volvo and Saab could save themselves by merging originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Lutz moves to senior advisor role, will retire at end of '09

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:18:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

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]

Continue reading Bob Lutz moves to senior advisor role, will retire at end of '09

Bob Lutz moves to senior advisor role, will retire at end of '09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO]

Dan Roth — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, GM, Pontiac

Click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

A self-effacing and impeccably dressed Bob Lutz took shots at the old Pontiac during the live reveal of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe. Busting on the arrowhead's former taste for cladding and Iron Dukes in the "excitement" product line, Lutz confidently strode alongside a silver 2009 Solstice GXP Coupe as it rolled out amidst fanfare provided by the Young Lords. Strobe lights flashed, music blared - it was like catching the last act of Kimmel, complete with Pontiac Garage signage. The Solstice Coupe replaces the world's flimsiest soft-top setup with a composite targa panel. 50-Cent also made an appearance and touted the performance of the GXP-trim Solstice, saying "It's faster than a Porsche Boxster. For $30,000... pick this one, not that one," while pointing at the Porsche display. The look of the Solstice Coupe is definitely zoomy - think of a C3 Corvette left in the dryer too long and you get the idea. Inside, the feeling is perhaps slightly less claustrphobic, but the general low-budget interior continues, though the GXP on the stand was wearing leather on the seats. The price of entry will still be a bargain when you look at the style it buys (official pricing hasn't been announced) - and the Coupe may even have enough trunk for an overnight bag.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe - Live Reveal

Continue reading New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO]

New York 2008: 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe live reveal [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz not leaving the building: GM head has no plans to retire in 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

In an interview with WunderBob Lutz, the Associated Press reported that "he wants to retire from General Motors Corp. after the company brings a plug-in electric car to market, possibly sometime in 2010." After what must have been enough phone calls and e-mails to bust a switchboard, Lutz has clarified the AP story with a resounding "I'm not thinking retirement."

The AP stands by its story, which it said was a story about retirement. The confusion perhaps came from Lutz saying he wanted to retire after a plug-in electric comes out, and the AP writing that he could "possibly" retire immediately after it came out.

Lutz also said, "Unfortunately, this was misinterpreted as a statement that I would retire at the end of 2010. While this remains a possibility, it is not 'a plan'! We'll just take it a year at a time!" Of course, the furor also points out just how important Bob Lutz is to GM. The General said that whenever the time comes, a replacement will be found, but come on -- a guy called "Maximum Bob" will probably be difficult to replace.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Lutz not leaving the building: GM head has no plans to retire in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz says GM open to alliance with Ford

Chris Tutor — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:52:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, GM

Swiss-born GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was asked by a Swiss newspaper Sunday if his company would go it alone or seek a merger with Ford. Lutz answered, "We are open to alliances. But we can also be successful alone."

Does this mean GM and Ford are talking merger? Not likely, but it could mean more cooperation in the future, like the co-developed 6-speed transmission being used in Ford's Edge and Saturn's Aura.

Lutz also said GM was still open to working with Renault-Nissan despite a recent report saying Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was no longer interested in talking to U.S. automakers about possible alliances.

[Source: SonntagsZeitung via Reuters]

Lutz says GM open to alliance with Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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