Nov 07, 2017 bob lutz, the former vice chairman of product development for general motors, wrote a missive in automotive news that society is approaching the end of the automotive era. While at general motors, lutz championed the import of the holden monaro to the united states as the pontiac gto. Straight talk on leadership he looks back at his almost 50 years in the car business and the good, bad, and ugly of the leaders he worked for. Its been awhile since weve spoken with bob lutz, the product development whiz who changed the fortunes of virtually every automaker hes worked for bmw, ford, chrysler, general motors in. Bob lutz businessman bio, age,wife, career, gm, net. Deloreans look inside the automotive giant wright enterprises, 1979, which was penned by j. Oct 20, 2014 general motors ceo mary barra unveiled the companys new strategic plan earlier this month, as it attempts to move beyond the ignition switch recall that has consumed much of her tenure at the top. Bob lutz businessman bio, age,wife, career, gm, net worth.
When bob lutz retired from general motors in 2010, after an unparalleled forty sevenyear career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected. Robert anthony lutz born february 12, 1932 is a swiss american automotive executive. The book plainly follows the lines of the intelligentwiseenlightening me vs. May 28, 20 in 2001, general motors hired lutz out of retirement with a mandate to save the company by making great cars again. As a member of the gm executive team, he was inside the csuite and saw how ceo rick wagoner tried to turn things around. Somewhere there is book that discusses the soul of american business, the. Bob lutz former vice chairman of general motors is a nice man who gives an insiders look at the workings of the auto industry and its leaders. The battle for the soul of american business, but former general motors vice chairman bob lutz has only good things to say about the financial. When bob lutz retired from general motors in 2010, after an unparalleled fortysevenyear career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected leaders in american business. Its the things he thinks gm can, must and shall do this year if its going to be successful.
Bob lutz on ford, gm, carlos ghosn, powerful execs and the. He launched a war against penny pinching, office politics, turf wars, and risk avoidance. As vice chairman, he launched a war against the pennypinching numbercrunchers who ran the company by the bottom line, and reinstated a focus on creativity, design, and cars and trucks that would satisfy gm customers. Interview with bob lutz, general motors newly appointed vice. Look for his inspirational, upcoming book, car guys vs. Bob lutz of gm to deliver luncheon address auto service. In many ways, this book is a sequel to the comic and insightful on a clear day you can see general motors. In his new book, former general motors vice chairman bob lutz calls rush limbaugh, glenn beck and other rightwing critics of gm reckless for their hatred of anything linked to the obama.
A legend in the car industry reveals the philosophy thats starting to turn general motors around. Lutz, general motors vice chairman, retired after a 47year career in the global automotive industry, including senior leadership positions at four of the worlds leading automakers and founded lutz communications, a universal business consulting firm with an emphasis on businesses in motion. Bob lutz, the former vice chairman of product development for general motors, wrote a missive in automotive news that society is approaching the end of the automotive era. Saying hes a man who is wellversed in the automotive industry would be a colossal understatement. In 2001, general motors hired bob lutz out of retirement with a mandate to. Lutz, the former general motors vice chairman, made whistle stops around new york this week to promote his new book, car guys vs.
Lutz spent most of his career at gm as vice chairman in. Former gm vp bob lutz writes chapter for larry burns new book, autonomy. A oncegreat american company, it had to be bailed out by the government and now has a market value of roughly onesixth apples. Why gm couldnt be apple, according to a former gm exec.
Much of lutz book points out what went wrong with general motors. Experienced business consultant in ann arbor, mi bob lutz. Jun 07, 2011 general motors is symbolic for roughly the opposite reasons. This book is an account of bob lutzs stint at general motors from 2001 t0 2010. Bob lutz of gm to deliver luncheon address auto service world. Lutz, who previously served as general motors vice chairman of product development, has been appointed to chair current motor s advisory council. Why gm couldnt be apple, according to a former gm exec the. Bob lutz motivational business consulting in ann arbor, mi.
Learn about our companys rich history and dedication to community, sustainability and personal mobility efforts. General motors is home to buick, cadillac, gmc and chevrolet. In 2001, general motors hired lutz out of retirement with a mandate to save the company by making great cars again. Interview with bob lutz, general motors newly appointed vice chairman of product. Lutz, general motors vice chairman of product development, will deliver a speech on tuesday, may 8, as the luncheon speaker at the global automotive aftermarket symposium gaas held at the hyatt regency ohare, chicago, ill. An excerpt from bob lutzs book car guys vs bean counters. When bob lutz retired from general motors in 2010, after an unparalleled. Interview with bob lutz, general motors newly appointed. General motors is symbolic for roughly the opposite reasons. This book, published in 2011, takes a look at gms rise and fall, but with. Bean counters is the best book written by an auto industry insider since.
Lutz began his nearly halfcentury in the automotive industry with general motors, signing on shortly after retiring from the marines. As vice chairman, he launched a war against the pennypinching number crunchers who ran the company by the bottom line and reinstated a focus on creativity, design, and cars and trucks that would satisfy gms customers. When he joined gm, he did so with the following intent and strategy. Sloans management classic, my years with general motors. Lutz seiler, winner of the english pen award and german book prize, brings a tumultuous debut novel to an englishspeaking audience.
Lutz wrote every word in longhand and every sentence bears his distinctive voice. Car veteran bob lutz returns to gm business the driver. And that expertise has led him to the assertion that a certain manufacturer is a. He had survived all kinds of managers over those decades. Gm vice chairman bob lutz writes a todo list for general motors for 2010. Bob lutz, the auto industrys 85yearold bad boy, goes off on elon musk and president trump bob lutz at home in ann arbor, mich. When bob lutz retired from general motors in 2010, after an unparalleled fortysevenyear career in the auto industry, he was one of the most respected. A oncegreat american company, it had to be bailed out by the government and now has a. Lutzs years at general motors gm, fortune 500 running product. Prweb january 19, 2018 wcx world congress experience, the threeday event that unites the best talent in the worldwide mobility industry, is pleased to announce that automotive industry veterans bob lutz, former vice chairman at general motors and kenneth ken kelzer, general motors vice president, global vehicle components and subsystems, will lend their insights and. He later jumped to bmw, and then ford, ultimately moving to. All the books listed for the financial times and mckinsey business book of the year.
An inside look at the collapse of general motors and the. Gms lutz on hybrids, global warming and cars as art d. In 2001, general motors hired bob lutz out of retirement with a mandate to save the company by making great cars again. The quest to build the driverless car, in which he predicts our autonomous future. Lutz communications offers universal business consulting in ann arbor, mi, from former general motors executive, bob lutz. Find the latest news about gm automotive innovations, investor relations and more. That was the whole theme of my book icons and idiots how skewed some. Bob lutz former vice chairman of general motorsis a nice man who gives an insiders look at the workings of the auto industry and its leaders. Originally named the air transport section of general motors corporation, it colloquially became known as the general motors air transport section. Lutz, general motors vice chairman, retired after a 47year career in the global automotive industry, including senior leadership positions at four of the worlds leading automakers and founded lutz communications, a universal business consulting firm. Books for driving success ann arbor, mi lutz communications. Bob lutz, the auto industrys 85yearold bad boy, goes.
Bean counters is the best book written by an auto industry insider since iacocca in. Lutz served as executive vice president and board member of ford motor company. Mar 12, 2020 this book features a new introduction and an epilogue in which lutz introduces an eighth law that helps todays business leaders put his famed seven immutable laws of business into sharper perspective. Sep 07, 2011 lutz began his nearly halfcentury in the automotive industry with general motors, signing on shortly after retiring from the marines. Bob lutz examines how gm was crippled by process insigniam.
He retired may 1, 2010, as vice chairman of general motors, following a 47year career in the global automotive industry that included senior leadership positions at bmw, ford and chrysler. Lutz synonyms, lutz pronunciation, lutz translation, english dictionary definition of lutz. That lesson, i think, is deeply ingrained in general motors, and by the way, the rest of the industry too, but especially general motors. The title is misleading as this is a book about bob lutz, not the issues gm encountered before, during, and after its liquidity crises along with the rest of the. Gm vice chairman, appeared on cnbc friday morning to talk auto sales, manufacturing and to promote his new book icons and idiots. Patrick wright and is equally full of anecdotes about the risible behavior of big three leaders, behavior that has led to repeated. And that expertise has led him to the assertion that a certain manufacturer is a cult led by a false god. Bob lutz, the auto industrys 85yearold bad boy, goes off. Lutz was chairman and chief executive officer of exide technologies.
Bob lutz held senior leadership positions at gm, ford, chrysler, and bmw over the course of an unparalleled fortysevenyear career, culminating in his vice chairmanship of general motors from 2011 to 2010. How bob lutz saved gm from glenn beck, rush limbaugh and itself. Jun 01, 2011 this book is an account of bob lutz s stint at general motors from 2001 t0 2010. Lutz rejoined gm on september 1, 2001, as vice chairman of product development. Lutzs years at general motors gm, fortune 500 running product development and reporting to the ceo gave him a frontrow as the lumbering old company went through its final death throes, tumbled. Jun 08, 2011 lutz s years at general motors gm, fortune 500 running product development and reporting to the ceo gave him a frontrow as the lumbering old company went through its final death throes, tumbled. Dec 02, 20 in many ways, this book is a sequel to the comic and insightful on a clear day you can see general motors.
Bob lutz, car guy, on the make in manhattan the new york times. Gms lutz on hybrids, global warming and cars as art d magazine. How bob lutz saved gm from glenn beck, rush limbaugh and. During the next nine years lutz left gm in 2009, lutz. He was also president and then vicechairman and board member of chrysler corporation, and vice chairman of general motors. Lutz is president and chief executive officer of lutz communications. Author bob lutz spent 47 years in the auto industry, and he ended his career as vice chairman of general motors. Exert my influence to improve products already in the pipeline and use my communication skills and reputation with the media to have them seen in the best possible light. Bob lutz has worked as an executive for general motors, chrysler, ford, and bmw at various points in his storied life. He appeared monday night at the russian tea room in midtown on a program for the hudson union society and spent the rest of the week doing radio and television appearances. Bean counters is the best book written by an auto industry insider since iacocca in 1984, and deserves to be shelved alongside alfred p. His books, speeches, and consultations, are rooted in years of experience in the automotive industry, along with proven business success. He served as chairman until his resignation on may 17, 2002, and as a member of exides board of directors until may 5, 2004.
Car guys vs bean counters by bob lutz financial times. This book features a new introduction and an epilogue in which lutz introduces an eighth law that helps todays business leaders put his famed seven immutable laws of business into sharper perspective. Lutz, the former vice chairman and product czar of general motors, has been peripatetic in retirement, taking on advisory roles for lotus, g. In 2001, at age 69, bob lutz was invited to join general motors as vicechairman of product development. Bob lutz, car guy, on the make in manhattan the new york. Bob lutz on ford, gm, carlos ghosn, powerful execs and the future. Bob lutz, former vice chairman of general motors gm, said tesla. However in a romantic storybook kind of way, general motors invited lutz to return in late 2001 as vice chairman of product development and lutz accepted. When general motors vice chairman bob lutz announced in february that he would be retiring this mayat age 78speculation mounted that the. General motors ceo mary barra unveiled the companys new strategic plan earlier this month, as it attempts to move beyond the ignition switch. The general motors air transport section gmats was a corporate air service operated by general motors to provide fast transportation for employees that needed to travel between various gm locations. General motors vice chairman bob lutz admits hes having a bit of separation anxiety on his last day with the company but is looking forward to hitting the lecture circuit with a new book in tow. Lutz is president and chief executive officer of lutz communications, following his retirement on may 1, 2010, as vice chairman at general motors and a 47year career in the global. That was the whole theme of my book icons and idiots.
Bob lutz, general motors vice chairman and chief car guru, says what really turns him on is doing the unexpectedacting contrary to the conventional wisdom, forcing people to re. He joins morning joe to discuss his new book car guys vs bean counters, which. Lutzscarsdale, ny is general motor s vice chairman of product development and chairman of gm north america. Jan 30, 2008 bob lutz, general motors vice chairman and chief car guru, says what really turns him on is doing the unexpectedacting contrary to the conventional wisdom, forcing people to re. Nov 04, 2001 interview with bob lutz, general motors newly appointed vice chairman of product.
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