(Updated) Bob Lutz Autoline Detroit "Extra" Park Ave. Comments Rescheduled

[Ming]

Update: The Park Avenue / Buick China question will be answered this Sunday, 5/13 in a follow-up "More Lutz" show (and a bit earlier on the web). It will make it to broadcast, not the "Extra" portion as listed below.

All, I thought you'd appreciate my sharing this with you since so many of you have been so passionate about this. I sent viewer mail to Autoline Detroit, a TV show that I have permanently Tivo'd on the Speed Channel. Thanks to this previous post that gave us the heads up, my question directed to Mr. Lutz was asked, and according to the host, it will be answered! - Ming


Reply from John McElroy of Autoline Detroit TV:

I got to ask Mr. Lutz your question, but it will be in the “Extra” section that we post on our website, not in the broadcast version.

Link to the "Extra" section (Internet Broadcast): http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/#

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Question that I sent (note I tried to avoid getting a stock "we can't discuss" answer):

From: ******@yahoo.com(edited to avoid spam mail)
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:10 PM
To: viewermail@autolinedetroit.tv
Subject: A Question to ask Mr. Lutz if you will

Mr. McElroy,

As of now there are 527 Replies and 31,801( ! ) views on the Chinese Park Avenue thread at this GM enthusiast forum:

Shanghai Motorshow: The Buick Park Avenue Debuts

Please ask Mr. Lutz his straight opinion (even if he can't tell us when or if it is coming to the USA) on this car that was recently shown at the Shanghai Auto Show. We just want to hear what he thinks of it, and what he thinks of the lackluster reaction to the "Super" LaCrosse and Lucerne models by comparison.

Thanks,

- "Ming" Staff Member of GMInsidenews.com

[camaro_freak]

Nice job MING!!!

maybe we'll get a straight 'useable' answer out of him this time!

[jbernie]

Thanks Ming! Good to see the interviewer taking note and asking the question on our behalf.

[Xeper]

Wow that interior looks great.

I dont think I have the speed channel but I will definetely check out the link. When will he be doing the interview?

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Xeper

Wow that interior looks great.

I dont think I have the speed channel but I will definetely check out the link. When will he be doing the interview?

Thanks guys. It's the only question I've had the chance to (indirectly) ask Mr. Lutz and have him answer (that I can recall), so I'm hoping for a good response.

Here you go Xeper:

Show #1118
Detroit Public Television
Sunday, May 06 @ 10:30AM EST Speed
Sunday, May 06 @ 7:00AM EST
Wednesday, May 09 @ 10:30AM EST

THE LUTZ TOUCH

Synopsis: Since the late '60s, Bob Lutz has had both hands on the auto industry, and so far hasn't let go. With more than 40 years under his belt, his influence has touched both product and people at several manufacturers -- having worked for a number of them and even at a supplier for good measure. These days he's in his second stint at General Motors helping spearhead the corporation's turnaround as Vice Chairman. On this week's Autoline Detroit, Bob Lutz talks about the state of GM's renaissance, the product leading that charge and the challenging issues facing the entire industry going forward. Joining John McElroy on the panel are Matt DeLorenzo of Road & Track and Jeff Green from Bloomberg News. And don't miss our "web exclusive" portion of our Bob Lutz interview available only at our website. Catch Autoline EXTRA at www.autolinedetroit.tv.

Topic:

Guests:
Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman, Global Product Development, General Motors

Panel:
John McElroy, Host, Autoline Detroit
Matt DeLorenzo, Road & Track
Jeff Green, Bloomberg News

[Koasterking]

I love Autoline Dtroit. too bad I can't see many of them.

[Ming]

Just use the link above - has the show in its entirety, including the "extra" stuff. I heard before that it hits the web some time before the show airs, but I've never verified that.

[Sparta]

Ask him what his opinion on the Park Ave is? What kind of question is that? We know he'll gush over it, but that doesn't get us anywhere..

I like the second half of it though, it's more to the point.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by Ming

Just use the link above - has the show in its entirety, including the "extra" stuff. I heard before that it hits the web some time before the show airs, but I've never verified that.

It appears the show is posted right now, but the 'extra' is not yet posted.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by Sparta

Ask him what his opinion on the Park Ave is? What kind of question is that? We know he'll gush over it, but that doesn't get us anywhere..

I like the second half of it though, it's more to the point.

I agree. Why not ask him why he hasn't acknowledged the Park Avenue in the US Auto Press, or why this car was not developed for North America along side the shared platformed G8, or why GM is starving the North American Buick dealerships of good product while selling product that could go on sale tomorrow in the US over in China, or how about addressing the SLS?

But his Opinion? That totally gives him an out. He can talk about how much he loves it and that is good for the brand to further their push into China...all the while avoiding the North American market alltogether. I expect nothing but marketing BS as a response. His opinion....that is worthless.

I want to know why we don't have it here. Not his opinion about a car we already know is great.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by Ming

That is a beautiful interior...at least my OPINION anyway...

[boblutzfan]

Info won't be posted for a couple of days...this is from their site:

[Online after the show airs on 5/6/2007]

This week's Autoline EXTRA features Vice Chairman Bob Lutz who has the last word on all product development at General Motors. The conversation about the corporation's turnaround continues as Mr. Lutz discusses the April sales slump and whether GM might bring its mini-car concepts to the U.S. market. John McElroy is joined by Matt DeLorenzo of Road & Track and Jeff Green of Bloomberg News.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

But his Opinion? That totally gives him an out. He can talk about how much he loves it and that is good for the brand to further their push into China...all the while avoiding the North American market alltogether. I expect nothing but marketing BS as a response. His opinion....that is worthless.

Bob's response to media attendees regarding the mini-cars at the actual debut was less than enthusiastic from what I've read. Remember that? Bob downplaying their chances of coming here? Bob isn't Ed Welburn. I'd expect Ed to gush. Bob? Don't be so sure...

My approach was to see just how Bob responds to it. Ask "when?!" and it will just get shot down like on the blog. If he actually does gush, I'd take that as a positive sign. From his "we don't discuss future product" snippy response to questions on the Mini Cars and Park Avenue on the FastLane blog, I wouldn't expect such a PR positive answer as you would, but then again being a recorded video spot, you might be right.

[boblutzfan]

I watched the interview - pretty good. I love Bob Lutz. I will be interested to hear the rest of the show on Sunday.

[ChevroletRevived]

Good idea, Ming. I look forward to seeing Mr. Lutz's response. However, I already do think that the and GM understand the desire for this car to be sold here in the US.