Damn you, GM. Damn you. Always trying to keep me just interested enough to not abandon your fanboy camp; this time, you do it by putting Lutz back where he belongs: coming up with awesome cars.
But no. I realize that Whitacre is responsible for Lutz' move back to product, but one good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of dickheadedness. Keep Lutz in product, ensure that Whitacre's "temporary" status is well and truly temporary, and replace Whitacre with a newer, younger, more forward-thinking CEO, and I will return.
Love,
pauljones, still somewhere over in the Ford encampment.
@Alfisted: If GM is really like AT&T, the government will force them to split into several smaller companies, and then before long each of them will be larger than the original that was broken up.
As much as I love all the V-spec model vehicles slated to be produced, I don't think these niche market vehicles are going to put Government Motors in the black any time soon.
@grzydj: I know. My point is that Bob is better with product development than marketing. There's no cohesive marketing strategy whatsoever with GM and there truly needs to be.
This is a tragic day for reporters on the auto beat. Nothing fills copy like a loose cannon blowhard.
And as much as he might be a car guy, the results of his efforts don't seem to be so spectacular, or to have turned into sales. He may have been doing less damage out front, than in sticking his fingers into product development.
@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: Once upon a time, Lutz was the VP of sales over at BMW, and had a hand in developing the 3-series.
While working at Ford, Lutz was responsible for the Ford Sierra, which has developed quite the little cult following. Additionally, he was responsible for the original Ford Explorer; whether you like them or not, you can't deny that they were influential and were huge cash cows for Ford at the time.
At Chrysler, he was responsible for the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, and Eagle Vision.
In his time at GM, he is given credit for the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, Saturn Aura, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac G8, new Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Cadillac Converj Concept, Cadillac CTS Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevy Beat, Groove and Trax Concept Studies; the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox, and Cadillac SRX. He is also the man responsible for the second coming of the GTO.
We've seen how well the 3-series has done, to say nothing of the original Ford Explorer. It's also telling that two of his more recent products were voted as Car of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
If that doesn't qualify him as not only a car guy, but a very successful and qualified automotive product guy, then I don't know what does.
Well, I've had the opinion that GM's been circling the drain for a while now. And it seems that they've decided to start swimming.
The only question is, with the current or against it? Time will tell. But I'm guessing that being shoved out of the limelight, for someone who's as in-yo-face as Robertus Maximus, may be a tipping point. He could quit now and start collecting that sweet $3000 per month retirement check from the Uncle, head to Florida with his MiG, and have done. And losing him would, I think, be very very bad.
@Elhigh: The L-39 is actually Czech-built. (Iron Curtain, FTW!) There's a really nice example at the airport I fly out of, although the owner is 100% tool.
Dorn has owned a T-33 and F-86 previously, now has a Sabreliner. The guy loves old jets.
Bob Lutz probably thinks Whitacre IS a total klingon, although not the type we're talking about here...
@Elhigh: I'm a turboprop guy - Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC12. The charter company I fly for (p/t gig) has a few CitationJets but they don't trust me with those.
@Turbineguy - now with reheat!!: Not a pilot myself, but I've always been very partial to the Cardinal / 182RC. That's just a really pretty plane. Also, for no special reason besides it's another really pretty plane, the C-119.
And of course, the DC-3. Not for looks so much, though they're like Betty Grable - classic, wonderful - but because it's apparently unkillable. There are companies that will refit it to zero hours condition. A new DC-3, the mind boggles.
@Elhigh: I always liked the Cardinal - fixed gear or RG. I thought it was the sleekest piston single out there. I did some flying this summer in a pal's 1948 Beech 18 (Twin Beech). Beautiful airplane - twin Pratt radials, twin rudders & a tailwheel. Classic.
I can't imagine what it'd cost to zero-time a 50,000hr DC-3 airframe. But, if ya got the money I can't think of a cooler airplane.
01:11 PM
The website wholesale for many kinds of cars,
like the Chrysler,jaguar,peugeot,audi, also including the
floor mats,anti-rust coating,nitrogen inflated tires, and the decals. All the
products are free shipping, and the the price is
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[www.cardealercheck.com]
11:34 AM
11:28 AM
I don't, I'm excellent.
Must be all the other tossers.
10:48 AM
10:22 AM
12/05/09
12/04/09
Now tell me when he gets the job.
12/04/09
Yes, I know, GM ate all the previous kings.
12/04/09
I've heard "May the Best Car Win" used for Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac, and last time I checked, they were different brands.
Also, don't go advertising a 5-year warranty as the "best in the business" if other automakers stand behind their cars for 10 years.
12/04/09
But no. I realize that Whitacre is responsible for Lutz' move back to product, but one good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of dickheadedness. Keep Lutz in product, ensure that Whitacre's "temporary" status is well and truly temporary, and replace Whitacre with a newer, younger, more forward-thinking CEO, and I will return.
Love,
pauljones, still somewhere over in the Ford encampment.
12/04/09
12/04/09
And I am still awaiting my allotment of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies.
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
As much as I love all the V-spec model vehicles slated to be produced, I don't think these niche market vehicles are going to put Government Motors in the black any time soon.
12/04/09
12/04/09
And as much as he might be a car guy, the results of his efforts don't seem to be so spectacular, or to have turned into sales. He may have been doing less damage out front, than in sticking his fingers into product development.
12/04/09
While working at Ford, Lutz was responsible for the Ford Sierra, which has developed quite the little cult following. Additionally, he was responsible for the original Ford Explorer; whether you like them or not, you can't deny that they were influential and were huge cash cows for Ford at the time.
At Chrysler, he was responsible for the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, and Eagle Vision.
In his time at GM, he is given credit for the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, Saturn Aura, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac G8, new Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Cadillac Converj Concept, Cadillac CTS Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevy Beat, Groove and Trax Concept Studies; the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox, and Cadillac SRX. He is also the man responsible for the second coming of the GTO.
We've seen how well the 3-series has done, to say nothing of the original Ford Explorer. It's also telling that two of his more recent products were voted as Car of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
If that doesn't qualify him as not only a car guy, but a very successful and qualified automotive product guy, then I don't know what does.
12/04/09
The only question is, with the current or against it? Time will tell. But I'm guessing that being shoved out of the limelight, for someone who's as in-yo-face as Robertus Maximus, may be a tipping point. He could quit now and start collecting that sweet $3000 per month retirement check from the Uncle, head to Florida with his MiG, and have done. And losing him would, I think, be very very bad.
12/04/09
12/04/09
Oh - you meant DRIVING? -shudder-
12/04/09
12/04/09
I think Michael Dorn (Lt. Worf) has a jet, too. Maybe Lutz just wishes he was a Klingon.
12/04/09
Dorn has owned a T-33 and F-86 previously, now has a Sabreliner. The guy loves old jets.
Bob Lutz probably thinks Whitacre IS a total klingon, although not the type we're talking about here...
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
And of course, the DC-3. Not for looks so much, though they're like Betty Grable - classic, wonderful - but because it's apparently unkillable. There are companies that will refit it to zero hours condition. A new DC-3, the mind boggles.
12/04/09
I can't imagine what it'd cost to zero-time a 50,000hr DC-3 airframe. But, if ya got the money I can't think of a cooler airplane.