Lutz to be new chairman of Opel

[mkaresh]

Spiegel Online earlier reported (and Automotive News has since confirmed) that Bob Lutz will replace Carl-Peter Forster as the new chairman (head of the supervisory board) of Opel:

http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unt...659845,00.html

In German, I'm afraid.

An excellent fit, given Lutz's background.

The story also reports that Opel managers who were in favor of the split now fear they'll be replaced with loyal managers from the U.S. A number of other senior executive changes are discussed.

Automotive News adds that Lutz will not have a direct management role at Opel. The supervisory board, of which he was already a member, meets only three or four times a year. There will be a search for a new CEO to replace Forster in that capacity.

[AMERICA 123]

Outstanding - I like it.

GM needs a strong & sharp presence just like Mr Lutz to keep an eye on things over there although obviously that means we lose some to all efforts by him here.

[mgescuro]

What needs to happen is Opel's automotive mentality and approach to designing, engineering, and building cars has to filter to the US.
Opel knows its engineering is better.
That's why they stuck to their version of Epsilon, compared to the stripped down US version.

If an American mentality infects Opel, I'm afraid, they're going to flounder.

[GMusa]

hopfully product in the U.S. dont take a slide with Lutz gone.

[mkaresh]

The problem with truly global products is that the price structure is much different in Europe than in the U.S. You can't price a Chevrolet Malibu like an Opel Insignia and still sell cars.

One thing I think I gathered from an awful translation of the article is that Opel people resent that they engineer cars that are then sold under other brands around the world. They want to see those cars badged as Opels everywhere.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by GMusa

hopfully product in the U.S. dont take a slide with Lutz gone.

It's possible he'll be splitting his time. The GME/Opel management structure is unclear to me, but this position might be like that of a non-CEO Chairman. In which case it would be like Whitacre in the U.S.

[megeebee]

I assume this means he leaves Detroit for the Fatherland?


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[megeebee]

Originally Posted by GMusa

hopfully product in the U.S. dont take a slide with Lutz gone.

I don't worry about that at all.

He has no direct repsonsibility now. He has "input". In a recent interview he said something to the effect that if he's asked he'll give an opinion. But he is not director of new product now.

With this, it looks like GM needs someone else for the top marketing spot. I don't think they'll have much trouble finding someone. I'm concerned that they keep whoever is hired.

Bob Lutz, as great a person as he is, will not live forever. None of us will. It's my opinion that people (especially HERE) have to get over this man-crush, cult-of-personality that has developed around Mr. L. He's not the only seasoned, intelligent, and capable executive in the world. And I think he would agree with that, actually. Sooner or later the training wheels have to come off.

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[Simon says]

This has got to be a joke . . . in the positive side this will keep him and his big mouth away from NA operations . . .

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by GMusa

hopfully product in the U.S. dont take a slide with Lutz gone.

Well, the man's not getting any younger.
It would behoove GM to get a succession plan in place, with the core concepts of product design as espoused by Lutz, intact.

GM might need Lutz. But GM needs to learn how to be without Lutz.

[Quickening]

Lutz is amazing.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

What needs to happen is Opel's automotive mentality and approach to designing, engineering, and building cars has to filter to the US.
Opel knows its engineering is better.
That's why they stuck to their version of Epsilon, compared to the stripped down US version.

If an American mentality infects Opel, I'm afraid, they're going to flounder.

That said, If opel designs better cars, its simply becouse they have to sell at a higher price point, its not becouse GM North America Engineer are not smart or as good. what is the starting price of a Malibu, compare to a 9-3? clearly, you do not expect GM north America to build a better product for the lower price.
Lutz is probably the best Auto Executive out there. Just look at the product pipeline across GM since he came on board.

I think the notion that "our engineering is better" is simple German arrogance since you are talking of different markets. Plus No one is saying that the prior Malibu was packaged properly, but the platform is solid, as the new Malibu proves. Its a totally North American design. So is the La Crosse, with shared underpinnings. What is inferior about the new GM north American products to German platforms? Nothing if you ask me.
Plus I was not too impressed with their last Generation Astra anyways.

Originally Posted by mkaresh

The problem with truly global products is that the price structure is much different in Europe than in the U.S. You can't price a Chevrolet Malibu like an Opel Insignia and still sell cars.

One thing I think I gathered from an awful translation of the article is that Opel people resent that they engineer cars that are then sold under other brands around the world. They want to see those cars badged as Opels everywhere.

My guess is that Lutz has been sent there to calm nerves. He is probably the only North American Executive with some credibility and in built trust with them. This is probably a political move by GM north America.

[megeebee]

.

Is there any official confirmation of this, or is Der Spiegel just guessing?


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[O_Z]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

What needs to happen is Opel's automotive mentality and approach to designing, engineering, and building cars has to filter to the US.
Opel knows its engineering is better.
That's why they stuck to their version of Epsilon, compared to the stripped down US version.

If an American mentality infects Opel, I'm afraid, they're going to flounder.

Vectra was average car, Aura or Malibu looks or rides way better
Last generation Astra loked good outside but terrible inside.
Nothing special


It is sad, I prefer to see mr. Lutz here. It seems to me like exile, Henderson won.

[Idler Arm]

In charge of North American marketing and Chairman of Opel? That's like Wagoner being Chairman and head of NAO. We know how well that worked don't we?