GM has announced that Bob Lutz, GM's Vice Chairman of Global Product Development is going to transition into a new role starting on April 1, 2009 as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor. Lutz's new role will allow him to provide strategic input into GM's global design until his retirement at the end of 2009.
Thomas Stephens will take over as the Vice Chairman of Global Product Development.
PRESS RELEASE:
Bob Lutz moves to Senior Advisor Role; Will Retire at End of 2009; Tom Stephens Becomes Vice Chairman - Global Product Development
DETROIT – GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner today announced that Robert A. Lutz, GM Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, will transition to a new role effective April 1, 2009 as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor. Lutz, 76, will provide strategic input into GM's global design and key product initiatives until his retirement at the end of 2009. He will continue to report to Wagoner.
Wagoner also announced that effective April 1, 2009 the GM Board of Directors elected Thomas G. Stephens, Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, reporting to President and Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson. Stephens, 60, is currently Executive Vice President, Global Powertrain and Global Quality. In this new assignment, Stephens will maintain his responsibility for overseeing GM's global quality activity.
Concurrent with this appointment, GM is restructuring its global powertrain group to integrate powertrain functional activities into their respective global GM functions. Accordingly, in his new role, Stephens will have responsibility for global powertrain engineering, in addition to global design, product engineering, product planning and program management. Powertrain manufacturing will report to Gary Cowger, Group Vice President of GM Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations. Other staffs that support the GM Powertrain organization will be integrated into their respective global functions. These moves represent another important step in GM's restructuring initiative to create a leaner, more efficient organization.
"Bob Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in 2001," Wagoner said, "and he's added to that by leading the creation of a string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here. His 46 years of experience in the global automotive business have been invaluable to us. I've personally learned a great deal from Bob and have very much enjoyed the time we've worked together," Wagoner added. "I'm looking forward to Bob's continued contributions to GM for the remainder of 2009 – and I know the impact of his efforts leading GM global product development will continue for years to come.
"Tom Stephens is the perfect guy to take the reins of GM's global product development," Wagoner continued. "He's had extensive experience in virtually every aspect of our global product development activities. With his 40 years at GM, Tom has an extraordinary understanding of our products and our organization, and is highly respected worldwide. I'm confident that with Tom's passion for great products and vast knowledge of advanced propulsion, he will continue to raise the bar in executing outstanding GM cars and trucks.
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Comments (12)
This isn't good news.
Bob is the only reason they make any cool cars.
Hopefully GM won't revert itself to rental car sales fleet manufacturer again in a few years. That's Chrysler's job.
Posted by bobby | February 9, 2009 10:55 AM
Posted on February 9, 2009 10:55
Not sure what Bob's role departure will do to GM, but a decision was made for some reason. Now, we have to trust GM's BOD and management made the right decision. Perhaps, any decision is better than the status quo.
Posted by sparky | February 9, 2009 11:36 AM
Posted on February 9, 2009 11:36
Is it 2010 yet?
Posted by 426Hemi | February 9, 2009 12:37 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 12:37
Heard in the GM boardroom: "Brilliant! Let's go back to our old ways and replace Lutz with yet another GM lifer that gave us brand engineering! It worked so well through the 70s, 80s, 90s...."
Posted by WS | February 9, 2009 12:51 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 12:51
@bobby
I thought it was Rick Wagoner retiring and I almost jumped for joy...then I saw it was Bob Lutz. It's a real shame, Bob really is the reason that GM has had its little product renaissance over the past couple of years.
Posted by DoctorDave | February 9, 2009 5:41 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 17:41
wtf. bob is the only reason why we have a zr1
Posted by muscleoverrice | February 9, 2009 7:17 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 19:17
EEP! Sorry, wishful thinking got the best of me and I didn't quite read it right. Please ignore my first post like you have been doing.
Posted by 426Hemi | February 9, 2009 8:34 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 20:34
Bob is also the reason for the new Camaro. Zeta platform wouldn't be around without him. Likewise, the Kappa twins, new Malibu, and new CTS all had their beginning/influence thanks to Maximum Bob.
Posted by Avatar | February 9, 2009 10:39 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 22:39
You know it really irks me when companies say things like, Mr. X is going to retire....but stay on in a reduced fashion as a consultant or adviser. Really? So basically they still get a paycheck, but now have reduced blame if anything goes wrong? Looks like a win/win situation from the retiree's standpoint.
Posted by Brian | February 9, 2009 10:41 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 22:41
If GM wasn't in bad enough shape as their is and now this. I'm starting to hear the flushing of GM down the bankruptcy toliet.
He was the last great hope for GM to pull itself out of the gutter and now GM miles well cut their loses and go bankrupt and restructure their entire company because that's the only way GM has a shot at surviving now.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | February 10, 2009 3:00 AM
Posted on February 10, 2009 03:00
Good bye and good riddance. He spent tons of money trying to get cars on GM showrooms that no one wants, and had what, one or two hits inbetween?
And he pushed through the new Camaro, so that a new generation of wife-beaters can grow in their natural enviroment (heard Chris Brown has one on pre-order).
Posted by Allen | February 11, 2009 11:59 AM
Posted on February 11, 2009 11:59
"I've done all the damage I can do here"
Posted by Patrick | February 11, 2009 9:27 PM
Posted on February 11, 2009 21:27