"Lutz Likes Power - Outlets, That Is"

[Perian]

Source: Car Connection daily email service

Lutz Likes Power—Outlets, That Is

A good exterior design is the “first visual gate,” the thing most likely to attract a customer to your new car, truck or crossover,” said GM product Bob Lutz, during his keynote speech at this year’s Automotive Interiors conference. “But once inside (the vehicle), it is the interior either seals the deal or drives the customer away,” said Lutz. And that, he acknowledged, is one area where GM has made some major mistakes over the last couple decades.

Managers have often turned to interiors as the place where they could cut costs and get spending targets back on track, acknowledged Lutz, conceding that the cabin
should be “the last place in the world where you want to advertise the cheapness of your product.”

The vice chairman asserted that there’s been a change of heart at the automaker and indeed, sources tell TheCarConnection.com that GM has increased by several
hundred dollars per vehicle the money it is spending on the interior design of new products coming to market. New full-size utilities, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, are prime examples, and in a sneak peek, Lutz provided a hint of the new CTS sedan soon to reach market. “The interior,” he continued, “should express a lot more value than the actual price of the car.”

Lutz suggested several trends he expects to see in interior design, including the expanded use of high-grade materials and finishes. “Power outlets are the new cupholders,” he joked. “He who has the most wins.” Seat backs, such as those on the next CTS, will be getting thinner, a move that will translate into more rear leg room, said Lutz. And look for “more clever storage areas,” including dual gloveboxes, now that makers like GM are learning how to work around airbag systems.

But there’s one thing Lutz hopes will go away: the overly complicated, electronic control systems, such as BMW’s iDrive. “I believe a lot of these
devices were invented for one reason, and one reason only: to drive people insane.”

Selling the “bean-counters” on investing more into the interior isn’t easy, but Lutz laughed that when the design department ruled GM, “we made lots of money and had a 50 percent share.” Lutz said that it took some persuasion to get one of the automaker’s top designers, Dave Rand, to take over the interior studio at the GM Technical Center, in Warren, Mich. “Where did I fail?” Lutz recalls Rand
asking. “It took time to explain to Dave that he wasn’t being demoted.”—Paul A. Eisenstein

[Perian]

God Bless Bob Lutz.

Let's give him all the power outlets he wants.

[mrfunji]

This guy is awesome. Between this, the Thomas Friedman rebuttal, and GM's reponse to JD Power's IQS Headline, I'm really starting to believe GM is on the offensive.

[PontiacBixler]

I think power outlets are the best thing we could get in our cars. No more having to buy stupid lighter adapters for me to plug in my iPod or MacBook on long road trips to recharge.

Bring it on GM! Put them across the lines! That was the one thing that really got my juices flowing for the Vibe when it first came out.

[dindak]

All good stuff. My wife always brings the lap top in the car for long trips now, plugs would great even though we have an inverter now.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

This guy is awesome. Between this, the Thomas Friedman rebuttal, and GM's reponse to JD Power's IQS Headline, I'm really starting to believe GM is on the offensive.

Exactly! I love it

[redfox]

Bob lutz is the best thing thats happend to gm in years.

[perfectone]

Originally Posted by redfox

Bob lutz is the best thing thats happend to gm in years.

Sure, he is Swiss!

[nadepalma]

Its good to see that he acknowledges that folks are bringing more and more electronics in the cars with him like iPods and Laptops, etc. This should be useful. I think the Vibe has a power outlet, right?

Thinner seats? I'm assuming that this will mean GM will start making them out of more expensive materials to make up for the thinner seats? In otherwords, you take out the padding but use better stuff that feels just as comfortable?

[MrMax]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Thinner seats? I'm assuming that this will mean GM will start making them out of more expensive materials to make up for the thinner seats? In otherwords, you take out the padding but use better stuff that feels just as comfortable?

I love the new attention to detail in GM interiors. The CTS I believe will be the real turning point for the entire company. What worries me is the bit about the "thinner seats."

If I recall, GM tried this with the Cavalier, and when people got rearended in the car, the 'thin seats' had a tendency to collapse. I don't know if this ever made national news, but there were a few incidents (and lawsuits) locally.

[hotrod747]

I'm regaining confidence in GM. They're really paying attention to the consumer and starting to execute small detail that makes a major difference in the final product. I think GM needs all of their brands in order to tackle the market from every angle possible. With that said, rivals should be very worried!

[K-1]

Originally Posted by MrMax

I love the new attention to detail in GM interiors. The CTS I believe will be the real turning point for the entire company. What worries me is the bit about the "thinner seats."

If I recall, GM tried this with the Cavalier, and when people got rearended in the car, the 'thin seats' had a tendency to collapse. I don't know if this ever made national news, but there were a few incidents (and lawsuits) locally.

You can bet they'll do the proper testing to make sure the seats are safe.

[Ty_99]

Lutz has brought GM along way since coming on board. Him and Wagoner are going to be known as the men who saved GM. Great to hear them working interiors. Lets hope they make GM the world leaders once again

[mikesright]

Originally Posted by Ty_99

Lutz has brought GM along way since coming on board. Him and Wagoner are going to be known as the men who saved GM. Great to hear them working interiors. Lets hope they make GM the world leaders once again

That's exactly right.

[JVal14]

As I read this I can't help but think: If only this philosophy had been adopted 10 years ago. GM would not be in it's aweful funk. Go back further, say 25 years, and GM would still have 50% of North America, and quite possible the whole world. What can the bean-counters say about that?