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Detroit, 5:04 AM
Fri Dec 4
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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12/02/09
I thought it was the headline on the WSJ.
My bad.
12/02/09
12/02/09
12/02/09
12/02/09
by
Bob Lutz
12/02/09
Although I am a kinda-known person and have made my career as a professional CEO, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last bazillion years, GM and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our business decisions. The stories in particular that stupid choices played any role in the car accident that is GM now were utterly false and malicious. Whitacre has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own company. Stupid business decisions should not require press releases and problems within a company shouldn't have to mean public confessions.
Whatever regrets Fritz has about letting GM down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.
We will strive to be a better company and the CEO and all might ruler that GM deserves. For all of those who have supported GM over the years, I offer my profound apology for hiring Whitacre.
/Tigered
12/02/09
12/02/09
Yo, I don't think we should talk about this
Come on, why not?
People might misunderstand what we're tryin' to say, you know?
No, but that's a part of life)
12/02/09
We've discussed this to death, I guess, but I just take this as insincere. There's just no evidence that it's important, imminent, or inevitable. I understand why manufacturers would say it, but I don't beleieve they believe it.
12/02/09
Once that happens we're screwed anyway, because the loss of the gasoline tax would bankrupt the Government worse than they already are. At this point, they'd just raise the taxes on electricity to compensate, making it just as expensive to "fill up" your plug in.
12/02/09
12/02/09
12/02/09
Naw, I'm just kidding. But do you think?
12/02/09
12/02/09
12/02/09
Either way, she should probably shut up.
12/02/09
12/02/09
Every single decent car that GM has come out with has been under Maximum Bob's watch; and not just the sporty, Jalopnik-favored cars, but also more sedate, toaster-loving general public cars, too. Lutz knows how to ensure a good car is made, and he knows how to market a car. The only other viable candidate from within, in my humble opinion, would be Ed Welburn.
Put Maximum Bob at the reins of GM, and I will repent. I will once more be a Corvette Red-blooded, flag-waving, mullet-rocking GM fanboy.
Until that happens, go Ford.
12/02/09
If you peer closely, you can just make out letters of Fritz Henderson's name under the tape.
This is the part of the movie where the subhero dies, and the real hero picks up the fallen good guy's guns, and blasts away all the bad guys. Go get 'em, Bob. Maximum Bob! Maximum Bob!
MPG Keynote? Dare I believe Bob might talk about fuel economy - the other side of high performance? That'd be something to see.
12/02/09
12/02/09
12/02/09
Also trying to stop misinformation from propagating on the new media is about as futile as trying to stop a hurricane with your palms.