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bobby · 02-09-2009, 07:52 AM

Bob Lutz to step down as product chief at General Motors
By DALE JEWETT

Bob Lutz is stepping down as General Motors' vice chairman and global product chief, the automaker said Monday. Tom Stephens will be GM's new head of global product development.

Lutz, a noted car collector who turns 77 on Feb. 12, has been at GM since Sept. 1, 2001.

Lutz was hired by GM Chairman Rick Wagoner to inject passion and style into GM's product lineup. The automaker had been widely criticized for building vehicles with bland exterior styling and interiors covered in cheap-looking plastic.

Lutz arrived and questioned everything about GM--its products, its hierarchy and its product development strategy.

Lutz's first shot in turning GM's product lineup around was the surprise introduction of the Pontiac Solstice roadster at the 2002 Detroit auto show. Lutz had ordered the concept built soon after joining GM--and the concept when from initial sketch to drivable vehicle in less than four months.

There have been several other landmark vehicles during Lutz's tenure. Among them: the Cadillac Sixteen concept, the revival of the Pontiac GTO and the Chevrolet Malibu, which was named the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

Lutz's automotive career also includes stops at Ford Motor Co., BMW and Chrysler. He left Chrysler after retiring Chairman Lee Iacocca picked GM executive Bob Eaton for the top job.

After leaving Chrysler, Lutz served as CEO of battery maker Exide Technologies from 1998 to 2002

xoxoxoo

02-09-2009, 07:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
bobby Super Moderator Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!	Lutz quits GM Bob Lutz to step down as product chief at General Motors By DALE JEWETT Bob Lutz is stepping down as General Motors' vice chairman and global product chief, the automaker said Monday. Tom Stephens will be GM's new head of global product development. Lutz, a noted car collector who turns 77 on Feb. 12, has been at GM since Sept. 1, 2001. Lutz was hired by GM Chairman Rick Wagoner to inject passion and style into GM's product lineup. The automaker had been widely criticized for building vehicles with bland exterior styling and interiors covered in cheap-looking plastic. Lutz arrived and questioned everything about GM--its products, its hierarchy and its product development strategy. Lutz's first shot in turning GM's product lineup around was the surprise introduction of the Pontiac Solstice roadster at the 2002 Detroit auto show. Lutz had ordered the concept built soon after joining GM--and the concept when from initial sketch to drivable vehicle in less than four months. There have been several other landmark vehicles during Lutz's tenure. Among them: the Cadillac Sixteen concept, the revival of the Pontiac GTO and the Chevrolet Malibu, which was named the 2008 North American Car of the Year. Lutz's automotive career also includes stops at Ford Motor Co., BMW and Chrysler. He left Chrysler after retiring Chairman Lee Iacocca picked GM executive Bob Eaton for the top job. After leaving Chrysler, Lutz served as CEO of battery maker Exide Technologies from 1998 to 2002 xoxoxoo __________________ "Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo Last edited by bobby; 02-10-2009 at 07:32 AM..