Lutz to be new chairman of Opel

[Toto]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

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.

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.

The problem in Europe is that we can buy relative low priced cars from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo,VW and some others. They are not the same luxury version as you have in the US, but the base is the same. So, even in the mainstream class you have fight against those premium car makers. That's one of the factors why you could buy features like adaptive forward lighting with bi-xenon headlights and active suspension for the Epsilon I Vectra, but not the Malibu.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Toto

The problem in Europe is that we can buy relative low priced cars from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo,VW and some others. They are not the same luxury version as you have in the US, but the base is the same. So, even in the mainstream class you have fight against those premium car makers. That's one of the factors why you could buy features like adaptive forward lighting with bi-xenon headlights and active suspension for the Epsilon I Vectra, but not the Malibu.

Your price points are also much higher. I buy my parents in Africa cars from the UK, and its always difficult to justify the prices of cars over there. Really. So, If I am paying more, I expect more.

[1G6]

This is pure speculation until backed up by a stateside source.

[paul38469]

GM said they are looking for an external replacement, but it could be that Bob Lutz is going to hold the fort and get the restructuring underway. It would make sense to place him there until a new person can be brought in. He held the job for a period before so I think he is well-versed in the affairs of Opel. And given that he started at Opel, he may not be looked at as much as an outsider American, which is probably important at this point.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by paul38469

GM said they are looking for an external replacement, but it could be that Bob Lutz is going to hold the fort and get the restructuring underway. It would make sense to place him there until a new person can be brought in. He held the job for a period before so I think he is well-versed in the affairs of Opel. And given that he started at Opel, he may not be looked at as much as an outsider American, which is probably important at this point.

This makes sense. He has experience at Opel and in the German industry as a whole with his time at BMW (though that was a very long time ago). And I suspect this is how it will be announced.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by 1G6

This is pure speculation until backed up by a stateside source.

I've ammended the OP. Automotive News has now confirmed the story, and attributed it to the WSJ.

Spiegel is a highly reputable German publication.

[rob2299usa]

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.

How the heck did you come up with that nonsense?? You should know better than that, at least based on the way you carry yourself in these forums... Euro price points are much different than U.S. ones.

Your credibility is waning...

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by rob2299usa

How the heck did you come up with that nonsense?? You should know better than that, at least based on the way you carry yourself in these forums... Euro price points are much different than U.S. ones.

Your credibility is waning...

Umm... we already knew the NA Epsilon is a stripped down version of the actual Epsilon platform designed by Opel. That's common knowledge. It also led to 5 different versions of the Epsilon -- 6 if you count Alfa's version.

Opel Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Alfa
GMNA Epsilon SWB
GMNA Epsilon LWB

A waste of resources. A waste of time. A waste of money.

Price points are a poor excuse for internal politicking.
GMNA Epsilon has been hindered because of it.

[rob2299usa]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Umm... we already knew the NA Epsilon is a stripped down version of the actual Epsilon platform designed by Opel. That's common knowledge. It also led to 5 different versions of the Epsilon -- 6 if you count Alfa's version.

Opel Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Alfa
GMNA Epsilon SWB
GMNA Epsilon LWB

A waste of resources. A waste of time. A waste of money.

Price points are a poor excuse for internal politicking.
GMNA Epsilon has been hindered because of it.

I'm pretty sure you still don't get it...... yes there were multiple versions before and yes the NA version was not as nice, but don't tell me the engineers in Germany are better when they have an extra $10k in the pricing to play with. That's baloney.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by rob2299usa

I'm pretty sure you still don't get it...... yes there were multiple versions before and yes the NA version was not as nice, but don't tell me the engineers in Germany are better when they have an extra $10k in the pricing to play with. That's baloney.

I trust German engineering over most.
That's why GM would be dead in the water without Opel.

[rob2299usa]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I trust German engineering over most.
That's why GM would be dead in the water without Opel.

Ok, that's fine. Just please don't go around talking like you KNOW.

[GM-10]

Brilliant move.

Its a non management role. He will be able to do his NA excutive job....and be the chairman of the advosry board. I think his personality and profile will be the perfect fit with Opel's style.

[jzchev28]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I trust German engineering over most.
That's why GM would be dead in the water without Opel.

well thats a bit overboard but ummm yeah ok, just smile and wave, its ok to be special

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by jzchev28

well thats a bit overboard but ummm yeah ok, just smile and wave, its ok to be special

From what I have seen and experienced, Opel has a better put together product that any north American brand.

It is a CORE STRENGTH of GM's. And they DO NOT take advantage of it.

So if GM retains Opel, they had best figure out how to filter Opel's knowledge and engineering back to North America.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

From what I have seen and experienced, Opel has a better put together product that any north American brand.

It is a CORE STRENGTH of GM's. And they DO NOT take advantage of it.

So if GM retains Opel, they had best figure out how to filter Opel's knowledge and engineering back to North America.

They don't? Why was the LaCrosse, next-generation Malibu, Cruze, and next Aveo all partially engineered in Russelsheim?