The Chevrolet Volt has been under a lot of scrutiny after a crashed Volt’s battery shorted by coolant caught on fire three weeks after a test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ever since, the Volt has become a top-topic for right wingers.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

Bob Lutz, who conceived the Volt with a team of advanced engineers, has now written an article asking right wingers to stop attacking the Volt.

Some of the points Lutz points out:

1. Not one Chevrolet Volt has ever caught fire in normal use or in accidents. Not a single one.
2. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, even after the highly artificial crash test (placing the car on its back, even though it did not roll over in the test) nevertheless awarded the Volt NHTSA’s highest crash-safety rating: 5 stars. Volt is supremely safe.
3. The crashed Volt, its battery shorted by coolant from the period unjustifiably spent “feet up,” caught fire three weeks after said test. (I submit that this would provide adequate time for surviving passengers to exit the vehicle.).

Check out Lutz’s article on Forbes here.

- By: Omar Rana

Maximum Bob Lutz is back once again making automotive industry headlines. It was recently announced that Bob Lutz is now back at General Motors in a senior advisor leadership long and has also joined the board of directors electric-vehicle maker VIA Motors. In between GM and VIA, Lutz is also advising Lotus.

There is no doubt that when Lutz talks the automotive industry and executives listen very carefully.

In a recent interview with Manager Magazin, Lutz was asked about the future of the automotive industry and who he thinks will be the major players? Lutz response? GM, Hyundai and Volkswagen.

Accoridng to Lutz, major Japanese players like Toyota and Honda have lost their touch.

Check out Lutz’s translated quote from the Manager Magazin interview.

A while ago, many experts thought, the race for the top position in the auto business would be a dead heat between GM, Toyota, and Honda. This has changed. The Big Three are now GM, Volkswagen, and Hyundai. Toyota is in decline. The Japanese lost their bullet-proof quality image. Their cars aren’t especially pretty. Their driving dynamics is below the level of the best European and American cars.

GM on the other hand has improved its engineering, payroll and healthcare are way down after the bankruptcy. When it comes to platform sharing amongst brands, GM always has been absolutely competitive. Trust me: GM will give Volkswagen and Hyundai a tough fight.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Manager Magazin (via TAC)

Bob Lutz, the former vice chairman of General Motors who recently rejoined the Detroit automaker as an advisor, doesn’t seem to know how to rest during his retirement. Lutz has now taken a position with electric-vehicle maker VIA Motors.

Lutz will become a member of VIA’s board of directors and will help the privately held startup raise money and create partnerships with automakers. His role at VIA does not conflict with his new role at GM, a GM spokesman said.

VIA and GM have an existing agreement, where VIA outfits full-sized pickups with an extended-range electric powertrain that it developed, said David West, VIA chief marketing officer. This fall, it plans to test about 35 of the vehicles with fleet customers.

“In my long career working with GM, Ford, Chrysler and BMW, I considered the Chevy Volt the most important car we had yet made,” Lutz said in a statement released by VIA today. “I am now pleased to join VIA Motors to expand the vision of extended range electric vehicles and help build the next generation of electrified trucks, vans and SUVs.”

Lutz, 79, will also continue being an advisor to British sports car maker Lotus.

VIA fits Volt-like plug-in hybrid systems in minivans and pickups. The company plans to start fleet sales this year, with retail sales planned for 2013.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

General Motors announced today that it will be keeping former Vice Chairman Robert A. “Bob” Lutz to provide counsel to the senior leadership team of the company.

“Lutz will be available to executives on a part-time consultancy basis effective immediately,” GM said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience built over the course of more than 40 years in the industry, including two stints at GM. He has also been a senior executive at Ford, Chrysler, BMW and was CEO of Exide Batteries.”

79-year-old Maximum Bob Lutz has been providing GM executives advice in an informal manner since retiring in 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

Bob Lutz, the former vice chairman of General Motors who continues to serve a consultant to the Detroit automaker, is one of the most respectable men in automotive history. Speaking today at the Ward’s Auto Interiors Conference, Lutz said that the “company is in good hands” with its new management team.

Ever since GM restructured under bankruptcy two years ago, it has seen a bunch of management changes at the top. Lutz said that having outsiders as CEO and CFO means management has “no history of running the auto industry in the U.S. the wrong way.”

He said that previous members of the management team “thought they were working on the right things” but unfortunately, they were not.

Speaking of the brands that GM killed under bankruptcy restructuring, Lutz said that Hummer had to go since “it was the environmental anti-Christ.” Saab he said was a constant drain on resources. Of Saturn, Lutz said he was disappointed to see the brand go despite an infusion of new products.

Pontiac, he said, is the one “I personally regret went away.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

Former GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz Honored at Reception

Miss Maximum Bob Lutz and his influence on the automotive industry (especially the American auto industry)? Well, don’t be too sad because the former General Motors product chief is throwing in his two cents in two major consulting positions.

First and foremost, Lutz has been advising Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and the company’s designers and engineers as they launch a complete brand revamp and turnaround. Speaking at the Lotus press conference at the 2011 New York Auto Show, Lutz said he has been conducting design reviews for about a year on several cars that the Lotus is developing.

“The future vision is now being executed with a great deal of dynamism,” Lutz said. “I give them the benefit of my accumulated experience, whether they ask for it or not.”

80-year Lutz is also working with new GM product chief Mary Barra on a “pro bono” basis. Earlier this year, it was reported that GM was interested in bringing back Lutz as a paid consultant. However, Lutz said that news ’caused a stir’ with the U.S. Treasury Department, so he decided to work informally for the Detroit automaker.

Maybe the title of his upcoming book “Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business,” has something to do with it. The book releases in June.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Bob Lutz

It is true that Bob Lutz will be at the 2011 New York Auto Show to unveil the Lotus Evora S, Lotus Evora IPS and the new Lotus KV Racing Technology. However, what many people don’t know is that Bob Lutz will also be announcing at the 2011 New York Auto Show that he will be joining the egmCarTech editorial team.

Between being a member of the Lotus Advisory Council, Lutz will share his time and point view on the auto industry here at egmCarTech.com.

Lutz brings years of automotive experience, which includes being the former vice chairman at GM and many upper level manager at several car companies including BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

We are looking forward to Lutz’s input here and hope you are too. Please join me in welcoming Bob Lutz to the egmCarTech team.

Hit the jump to drop your comment.

- By: Omar Rana

Bob Lutz with the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show Lotus unveiled the new additions to the award-winning Evora range with the Lotus Evora S and Lotus Evora IPS. Now we’re not too crazy to see the two models make their North American debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show next month but what we are crazy about is seeing our hero Bob Lutz unveil them.

That’s correct – Bob Lutz, a member of the Lotus Advisory Council, will unveil the Lotus Evora S, Lotus Evora IPS and the new Lotus KV Racing Technology.

Click here for more news on the Lotus Evora.

For you folks that don’t remember the two Lotus Evora models from Aug. 2010, here is a quick refresher:

Refresher:

• Lotus Evora S: The Lotus Evora S gets an upgraded 3.5L V6 Toyota-sourced engine making 345-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That allows 0-60 mph to come in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 172 mph.
• Lotus Evora IPS: The Lotus Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) features a 6-speed automatic gearbox that is mated to the 3.5L V6 making 276-hp. 0-60 mph comes in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Evora’s with the IPS option will allow drivers to switch between manual paddle shift and automatic drive modes.

Lotus Evora S / Lotus Evora IPS:

- By: Omar Rana

Bob Lutz

The Maximum Bob Lutz is like the Michael Jordan of the automotive industry – one of the most respected legends in the industry. Lutz may now pull a Jordan and return to General Motors after retiring last year. According to The Detroit News, GM has been in talks with Lutz about bringing him back as a paid consultant.

Details are unclear but sources familiar with the matter said that GM has been thinking about formalizing an advisory role for Lutz.

Lutz currently remains in contact with many GM senior executives including CEO Dan Akerson.

“I have the utmost respect for the GM management,” Lutz said. “If they want me to come in as a consultant, I’d be very happy to consider it.”

We would love to see back Lutz.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

Mary Barra with the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson announced today that Mary Barra has been named senior vice president, Global Product Development, to lead the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles and will be responsible for the company’s 11 brands worldwide. The position was once held by Bob Lutz and later Tom Stephens after Lutz retired on May 1, 2010.

“Mary will bring a fresh perspective to the critically important job of developing vehicles that delight global customers,” said Dan Akerson, GM Chairman and CEO. “Her broad experience in engineering, manufacturing and staff functions, combined with the ability to collaborate and build strong relationships will enhance the company’s ability to deliver the products today’s consumers demand.”

Barra, 49, will continue to report to Akerson. Her move becomes effective Feb. 1, 2011.

Check out the press release after the jump.

Press Release:

GM Appoints Mary Barra to Lead Global Product Development

DETROIT – General Motors today named Mary Barra senior vice president, Global Product Development, to lead the design, engineering, program management and quality of vehicles for the company’s 11 brands around the world.

Barra will lead the Product Development organization responsible for managing all global vehicle programs for GM.  In this position, she will continue to focus on the customer in the areas of global design, vehicle and powertrain engineering, program management and quality with the goal of delivering the world’s best vehicles.  With more than 36,000 members, her team will also manage global strategic product alliances.

“Knowing that today’s global customer expects even more from their GM vehicle means we have to work harder than ever to exceed those expectations,” said Barra. “I’m excited by the opportunity associated with this new challenge and pleased to be joining such a strong team with deep technical knowledge and experience.”

Recognized for bringing diverse groups together for a common purpose, Barra was appointed vice president, Global Human Resources in 2009, to initiate change in the company’s culture during the largest restructuring in GM’s history.  Prior to this appointment, she had been vice president, Global Manufacturing Engineering. Barra has also held a number of engineering and staff positions, including plant manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant; executive director of Competitive Operations Engineering; and general director of Internal Communications for GM North America.

Barra began her career with General Motors in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. In 1988, Barra received a GM fellowship to the Stanford Graduate School of Business and in 1990 graduated with an MBA in Business Administration.

She serves on the Kettering University Board of Trustees and Inforum Center for Leadership Board of Directors.  Barra is also Key Executive for Stanford University.

Barra was named one of Automotive News’ 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry” in 2005, and again in 2010.  In 2010, she also earned Kettering Alumni Association’s Management Achievement Award for her specific contributions with positive and lasting effects in the field of management.

Barra, 49, will continue to report to Akerson and serve on the Executive Committee.  Her move becomes effective Feb. 1.

A successor for Barra in Global Human Resources will be announced at a later date.

- By: Omar Rana

GM CEO Dan Akerson Rings Opening Bell at NYSE

Happy New Year’s Eve to all our readers. While you’ve been seeing many top 10 lists all over the Internet as we say farewell to 2010 one of the lists you’re most likely to come across on automotive sites are the Top 10 Cars of 2010…well, not here (we’ll do one too, don’t worry). We decided to do something a little different and create a top 10 list of the most important moments in the automotive industry of 2010.

Let’s get started…

1. General Motors’ IPO:

GM CEO Dan Akerson at New York Stock Exchange

• It was probably the most important automotive industry moment in 2010. On Nov. 3, 2010, General Motors announced that it has started the process of a public offering. On its opening day at the NYSE on Nov. 18, GM’s common stock made its debut at $35 a share and rose as high as $35.99 in early trading. The issue included 478 million shares of common stock, for a total of $15.77 billion, and 87 million shares of mandatory convertible junior preferred stock, for a total of $4.35 billion. As of Dec. 30, the stock stood at 36.82. GM’s shares still have to rise to nearly $49 for the government to break even.

2. First Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt delivery:

2011 Nissan LEAF / 2011 Chevrolet Volt

• Electric-cars made huge headlines in 2010 with General Motors delivering the first Chevrolet Volt and Nissan delivering the first all-electric LEAF.

3. BP’s oil spill was one of the largest man-made disasters in histroy:

BP Oil Spill

• When your company is responsible for one of the largest disasters in history, you wouldn’t expect your public relations department to tweet, “Look, cut us some slack. We’ve kinda just been winging this whole ‘deepwater drilling’ thing.” Well, that’s because BP didn’t. Instead, the tweets came from comedian Josh Simpson. Nonetheless, CEO Tony Hayward hurt the company’s image by downplaying the damage and issuing statements like “it wasn’t our accident” and “I just want my life back” after 11 workers lost their lives in the explosion of oil rig Deepwater Horizon.

4. Toyota’s CEO apologizes to buyers:

• Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda apologized to the company’s shareholders in 2009, followed by an apology to Japan in early 2010. However, in late February 2010, Toyoda apologized to buyers during his trip to Washington and apologized to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “When the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well,” he said. ”I sincerely regret that some people actually encountered accidents in their vehicles.”

5. Ford Explorer / Jeep Grand Cherokee show life to the SUV market:

2011 Ford Explorer / 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

• The 2011 Ford Explorer and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee showed the automotive industry that American automakers can still build some of the best SUVs on the market. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee became known as Chrysler Group’s pride and joy, while the 2011 Ford Explorer showed that America can sell SUVs in a new fuel-efficient manner.

6. Ford kills Mercury:

2010 Mercury Milan

• On June 2, 2010, FoMoCo announced that it will kill the Mercury brand with production of the brand coming to an end in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company said that it will allocate Mercury’s financial, product development, production and marketing, sales and service resources towards growing and enhancing its luxury Lincoln brand.

7. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport breaks top speed record at 268 mph:

2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

• For all of us gear heads, this was probably one of the most important moments of 2010. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport received an increased horsepower from 1,001-hp to 1,200-hp with a maximum torque of 1,106 lb-ft. The folks at TUV and Guinness took the average of two runs (one at 265.3 mph and one at 269.6 mph), which came in at 268 mph. Click here for more info.

8. The USA gets its own Top Gear:

From L to R: Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood

• Another important moment for gear heads and fans of the UK Top Gear. The History Channel filled our desire of having our very own Top Gear in the United States starring Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood. The show aired on Nov. 21 and, according to us, still has some growing up to do to live up to the UK version. Here is our review of the first episode.

9. Ford sells Volvo to Geely / GM sells Saab to Spyker Cars:

2011 Volvo S60 / 2011 Saab 9-4X

• In 2010, we saw the sale of two Swedish brands from two American automakers. On January 26, 2010 General Motors and Spyker Cars announced that they have reached a binding agreement on the sale of Saab Automobile AB to Spyker Cars. A couple months later, on March 28, 2010, FoMoCo announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Volvo and related assets to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited.

10. Bob Lutz retires:

Bob Lutz

• One of the most important figures in automotive history retired in 2010. General Motors confirmed on March 3, 2010 that Bob Lutz will officially leave his Vice Chairman position and retire as of May 1, 2010. On May 1, Lutz said:

As I mark my last day at General Motors today, I want to say a special thank you and farewell to the loyal readers of FastLane. This blog would not have been the success it has become without you, and I”m sure you”ll continue to read the many interesting posts about GM and its vehicles that will follow on these virtual pages.

I leave here today knowing full well that this company is on the right track, especially in terms of the products, which pave the path to success.

* Note: List is in no particular order.

- By: Omar Rana

Bob Lutz

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, has periodically taunted U.S. automakers saying that Detroit wants to be everything Tesla is if it could start over – a cooler, greener automaker who is headquartered in a better neighborhood.

“We’re a Silicon Valley company,” Musk, who is the inspiration of Tony Stark’s character in Iron Man, said. “Closer to an Apple or a Google than to a GM or Ford in the way we operate, the DNA, the operating system of Tesla. I don’t think that’s something that GM or Ford is going to be able to replicate — ever.”

To make his pointer stronger, Musk said: “What if (former GM product chief) Bob Lutz were to call up and say we’d like to buy Tesla, I would say, ‘You can’t afford it.’”

He even took a shot at Bob Lutz, former GM product chief. Speaking about Lutz’s statement on how the Chevrolet Volt is his biggest achievement in his career, Musk said: “not a very good car, not very exciting.”

Lutz response? “So far, all of Tesla’s shortcuts have failed,” Lutz told Reuters. “They seem to hold the usual Silicon Valley view that that region is the sole repository of brainpower in the United States and everyone east of the Sierras is a dim-witted dinosaur.”

Either way, Lutz still has respect for Tesla and Musk and says that the company “may still prove to be the exception.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

Bob Lutz with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Transonic Combustion, Inc., a fuel-injection systems startup, announced today that Bob Lutz has joined the company’s board of directors.

“Lutz brings to Transonic’s leadership team a legendary career in the global automotive industry, including senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers,” Transonic said in a statement.

“For the foreseeable future, the internal combustion engine will remain the dominant propulsion system for automobiles,” Lutz said, “and there is still a lot of room to improve its efficiency. Customers and manufacturers want better fuel economy, lower emissions and a great vehicle experience all at an attractive price. Transonic’s new supercritical fuel injection technology can greatly improve engine efficiency and potentially become the new industry standard.”

Lutz recently retired from his nine year position as vice chairman of General Motors. His resume also holds respectable titles including CEO of Exide Corp, a 12 year position with Chrysler where he was vice chairman, president, chief operation officer and executive vice president, 12 years with FoMoCo, and three years with BMW.

Guess Lutz has no interest in retiring and resting… ever.

- By: Omar Rana

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz officially spent his last day at General Motors yesterday looking forward to his first official day as a retired auto executive (May 1).

Writing over at GM’s FastLane Blog, Lutz said:

As I mark my last day at General Motors today, I want to say a special thank you and farewell to the loyal readers of FastLane. This blog would not have been the success it has become without you, and I”m sure you”ll continue to read the many interesting posts about GM and its vehicles that will follow on these virtual pages.

I leave here today knowing full well that this company is on the right track, especially in terms of the products, which pave the path to success.

He ended his farewell post with this: “I only have about 47 years of experience on which to base this opinion, but I believe GM is poised to win. Thank you very much for your terrific support.”

- By: Omar Rana

General Motors Vice President Bob Lutz, who is scheduled to retire from his position on May 1, recently said GM will keep making big trucks and SUVs because U.S. buyers demand them, but a major portion of them will be gasoline-electric hybrids. He also said that the Detroit automaker will pay back its bailout loan at a profit for U.S. taxpayers without lowering the quality in vehicle development.

Speaking to Detroit News, Lutz said that GM will apply hybrid technology to more vehicles in order to satisfy the fuel-economy standards that will rise 40 percent to an average 35 mpg by 2020. He said that the cost of going hybrid will increase cost for GM, since charging the customer for a hybrid system would make the vehicles too expensive. GM currently has seven hybrids in its lineup.

In a separate interview with Reuters, Lutz said that GM was on track for a turnaround that will enable it to pay $8 billion of government debt and sell stock, allowing the government to get rid of its 61 percent stake in GM.

He said that he expects the government to make money on the $50 billion loan given to GM. GM will then offer stock once it can show positive cash flow.

“Once we have that story together, I’m convinced that we will be able to sell equity to private investors and take the government out of the ownership business,” Lutz said.

GM’s Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre recently said that GM will pay back $8 billion of government loans before June, when it had originally scheduled to start paying back the U.S. Treasury.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News, MSNBC

General Motors confirmed last week that Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010. What is Lutz going to do after that? According to AutoObserver Lutz will:

• Write a book – something on corporate culture.
• Entertain the idea of writing for an automotive media outlet.
• Talk – will sign on with a bureau to do lecture circuits.
• Go back to school – flight school.
• Champion animal rights causes.
• He’s also open to anything else that may be proposed to him.

What Lutz won’t do is wake up everyday at 4:30 am for 6 and 7 a.m. meetings.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver

Yesterday, General Motors confirmed that Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will officially retire on May 1. Why does Bob Lutz want to retire?

In a statement, Lutz said:

“I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete ““ the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations,” Lutz said. “Our product lineup is as strong as it has been in GM”s history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality.

When asked by Automotive News which project he’s most proud of, Bob Lutz said:

“If you want to point to an individual project that I am particularly proud to have been a leading advocate of — if not the originator — that would be the Chevy Volt. At the time when electric anything was a dirty word at General Motors after the EV1 financial disaster, the Volt was hard to get going and hard to get approved.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

General Motors has just announced that Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010. Lutz, 78, will end his 47-year career in the global auto industry after holding senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers.

“The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM”s commitment to design, build and sell the world”s best vehicles will last for years to come,” GM CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre said. “I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.”

Lutz said that he decided to retire now in part because hot-selling vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Camaro, along with the growing strength of GM”s four core brands, prove that a product-focused mindset inside the company is in place for the long term.

“I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete ““ the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations,” Lutz said. “Our product lineup is as strong as it has been in GM”s history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality. And most importantly, the absolute commitment to being a product-driven company is engrained throughout the organization ““ from the top down ““ and I am confident that, under Ed Whitacre”s leadership, the straightforward, singular focus on product will endure.”

Lutz has also worked at BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

- By: Omar Rana