Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness

Slowrider5 · 01-30-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

MUNDY TOWNSHIP -- Bob Lutz wasn't offering any promises about future General Motors work or jobs in Flint on Tuesday.

But GM's vice chairman of global product development, delivered a very upbeat message about the company's future, and suggested this area will benefit as the company thrives.

"As our sales increase and as we become a sought after automobile company as opposed to one where the customer takes it because of the incentive ... that rising tide is going to lift all boats," Lutz told The Flint Journal in a 25-minute interview.

Lutz, 75, was here Tuesday, speaking to more than 200 people at a meeting of the Hundred Club of Flint.

Fresh off the North American International Auto Show and major awards for the 2008 Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu, Lutz delivered a pep talk about GM's short- and long-term prospects.

"I think we can confidently predict kind of a return of greatness for General Motors," he said. "Everybody, even detractors, even competitors, and even people who doubted we could do it come up to me now and say ... 'You guys just have the best lineup of anybody out there."

Among his other comments:

* Expect the Chevrolet Camaro to be the corporation's next big product splash "toward the end of this year."

"That's again designed with the best in class philosophy," he said. "We didn't want to make it as good as the (Ford) Mustang. We wanted to go way beyond where the Mustang is."

More at link: http://www.mlive.com/business/index...._restored.html

MOOSTOPHA · 01-30-2008, 06:03 PM

i'm ready for the ship to rise too bob. my ship's been stuck in the bay for a while now. in fact i don't even see the water anymore.............

ZHDesign57 · 01-30-2008, 07:31 PM

Nice...Camaro. I'm ready to order!

CobaltSScrazy · 01-30-2008, 07:39 PM

I hope so! We need an economic upturn in MI!

CobaltSScrazy

Obviously those 400,000 manufacturing jobs are gone for good, but what will happen next?

I-Love-Pontiac · 01-30-2008, 08:35 PM

What? A GM hot shot who actually cares about the good of the country? I love this guy.

F14CRAZY · 01-30-2008, 10:47 PM

Boats? They're bringing back old school full sizers? Who's the dude here with the '76 Deville...

Platt_Mallar · 01-31-2008, 04:33 AM

I'm glad he talked about giving each brand its own identity. Gives me great hope for Pontiac.

LAMRONH · 01-31-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

I hope so! We need an economic upturn in MI!

CobaltSScrazy

Obviously those 400,000 manufacturing jobs are gone for good, but what will happen next?

1. GM fires 90% of its MBAs and relegates the remainder to unexecutive status.

2. GM opens snowthower factory, employing 5000. Send me one.

Kappa · 01-31-2008, 10:36 AM

I agree there with the work to give each brand its own identity, and at one time they did. But the ones that need it most are Buick, Pontiac, GMC, and maybe Saab. Since those all are pretty much rebadge brands and working on their identity more is probably the best move.

steinravnik · 01-31-2008, 11:27 AM

I think GM is definitely on the comeback.

camaro_freak · 01-31-2008, 11:35 AM

a solid comeback indeed! ... but still making stupid decisions. I would have bought a G8 Sportswagon. I would have even put money down for it.

prototype66 · 01-31-2008, 11:39 AM

I hope the success continues for GM, Michigan needs a boost. Lansing is looking kinda bleek. We need more ...........well, everything!

bone · 01-31-2008, 12:11 PM

I admire his patriotism to his country and his loyalty to the American auto industry. I believe him when he talks about G.M.'s return to greatness. There is still much work to be done,however, with models like the CTS, Malibu, Lambdas(Get the weight down,Bob), 900s, Corvette,etc. they are on the right track. By the way, anyone know how one becomes a member of the Hundred Club of Flint?

CBECK · 01-31-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOOSTOPHA

i'm ready for the ship to rise too bob. my ship's been stuck in the bay for a while now. in fact i don't even see the water anymore.............

I'm ready for the ship with Camaro's to arrive.

Ambalanche · 01-31-2008, 12:34 PM

I like this quote:
"If we can do that better being number two than being number one, we're willing to be number two -- for a while."

Notice the "for a while" part!

01-30-2008, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
MOOSTOPHA 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: valley, al Drives: 2007 SILV 1500 EXT CAB Z71. Posts: 1,511	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness i'm ready for the ship to rise too bob. my ship's been stuck in the bay for a while now. in fact i don't even see the water anymore............. __________________ moostopha Toyota sales person since 08-01-08

01-30-2008, 07:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZHDesign57 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Drives: 1989 Mercury Cougar Posts: 349	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness Nice...Camaro. I'm ready to order! __________________ "You can design a car, so every time you get in it, it's a relief - you have a little vacation." - Harley Earl "What's in a name? The fondest memories are trapped inside certain nameplates. All we have to do is set them free, and we can remember why we created them in the first place." - Z.H. Future Rides: 2010 Chevy Camaro LT/RS V6(MINE!!!!!)Victory Red with Black/Tan Interior

01-30-2008, 07:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
CobaltSScrazy 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Drives: 2005 Cobalt SS Posts: 5,917	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I hope so! We need an economic upturn in MI! CobaltSScrazy Obviously those 400,000 manufacturing jobs are gone for good, but what will happen next? __________________ 2005 Cobalt SS I'm done with GMI, some posters type inexcusable and unacceptable replys that are not moderated with enough intensity.

01-30-2008, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
I-Love-Pontiac 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,737	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness What? A GM hot shot who actually cares about the good of the country? I love this guy. __________________

01-31-2008, 04:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Platt_Mallar 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2006 Drives: 04 Chevy Cavalier 1sv Posts: 337	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I'm glad he talked about giving each brand its own identity. Gives me great hope for Pontiac. __________________ Stick shifts and safety belts Bucket seats have all got to go When I'm driving in my car It makes my baby seem so far

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01-31-2008, 10:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kappa 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 336	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I agree there with the work to give each brand its own identity, and at one time they did. But the ones that need it most are Buick, Pontiac, GMC, and maybe Saab. Since those all are pretty much rebadge brands and working on their identity more is probably the best move. __________________ As I've said before, CR is good when buying appliances. Cars are far more than that. After all, there's no Vacuum Trend or Washer & Drier magazine, now is there.

01-31-2008, 11:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
steinravnik 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 1,978	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I think GM is definitely on the comeback.

01-31-2008, 11:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
camaro_freak 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,590	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness a solid comeback indeed! ... but still making stupid decisions. I would have bought a G8 Sportswagon. I would have even put money down for it. __________________ John Crichton: It's beer o'clock. Where's my riot? Last edited by camaro_freak : 01-31-2008 at 12:05 PM.

01-31-2008, 11:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
prototype66 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lansing MI. Drives: 08 Malibu 05 Venture And restoring The Eldo! Posts: 1,357	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I hope the success continues for GM, Michigan needs a boost. Lansing is looking kinda bleek. We need more ...........well, everything! __________________ www.prototype66design.com Get remembered! chuckp@budkoutschevy.com Michigan's #1 GM Certified used car dealer !www.budkoutschevy.com

01-31-2008, 12:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
bone 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,338	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I admire his patriotism to his country and his loyalty to the American auto industry. I believe him when he talks about G.M.'s return to greatness. There is still much work to be done,however, with models like the CTS, Malibu, Lambdas(Get the weight down,Bob), 900s, Corvette,etc. they are on the right track. By the way, anyone know how one becomes a member of the Hundred Club of Flint? __________________ 1966 Corvair Corsa

01-31-2008, 12:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ambalanche 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pensacola, Florida Drives: '07 Corvette Z51 Posts: 1,472	Re: Bob Lutz on restoring GM's greatness I like this quote: "If we can do that better being number two than being number one, we're willing to be number two -- for a while." Notice the "for a while" part! __________________ GM better hope the Volt is a runaway success, because *all* the eggs are in that basket!

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