Comments on: Ask The Best and Brightest: If you could ask Bob Lutz anything… http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:51:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: 200k-min http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-519922 200k-min Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:14:44 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-519922 My question - "Does GM have a drug testing policy, and if so, have you passed it, because you'd have to be on some serious dope to think GM is making the best cars out there today." My question – “Does GM have a drug testing policy, and if so, have you passed it, because you’d have to be on some serious dope to think GM is making the best cars out there today.”

]]> By: Johnster http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-519422 Johnster Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:54:17 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-519422 Were you born morally bankrupt, or was it something you learned? Were you born morally bankrupt, or was it something you learned?

]]> By: John Horner http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-519382 John Horner Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:25:44 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-519382 My question: How dare you? My question: How dare you?

]]> By: NickR http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-519381 NickR Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:24:41 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-519381 Why are the women in Sweden so much better looking than the women in Canada? (You said anything.) Why are the women in Sweden so much better looking than the women in Canada?

(You said anything.)

]]> By: thoots http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-519152 thoots Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:27:40 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-519152 "Do you consider yourself stupid, or just plain clueless?" “Do you consider yourself stupid, or just plain clueless?”

]]> By: Dan8000rpm http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518881 Dan8000rpm Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:44:10 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518881 Bobby. Two quick Questions. One, is this what you actually wanted to do in your job at GM or are you making it up as you go along? Two, can you remember the exact point in time when you decided to sell out the hopes and dreams of Millions of employees, shareholders and customers? I hope you are happy on your planet Bob, it looks like a nice place to visit. Too harsh? Bobby. Two quick Questions. One, is this what you actually wanted to do in your job at GM or are you making it up as you go along? Two, can you remember the exact point in time when you decided to sell out the hopes and dreams of Millions of employees, shareholders and customers?
I hope you are happy on your planet Bob, it looks like a nice place to visit.

Too harsh?

]]> By: ellaguru http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518152 ellaguru Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:41:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518152 Why does the Porridge Bird lay its eggs in the air? Why does the Porridge Bird lay its eggs in the air?

]]> By: mikey http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518101 mikey Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:28:27 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518101 Bob: Could you please honour the CAW/GM Canada agreement,and keep Oshawa Truck open for 3 years. Oh and that garanteed pension thing,I wouldn't mind one of them either. Thanks Mikey Bob: Could you please honour the CAW/GM Canada agreement,and keep Oshawa Truck open for 3 years.

Oh and that garanteed pension thing,I wouldn’t mind one of them either.

Thanks
Mikey

]]> By: DearS http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518082 DearS Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:23:32 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518082 Where do you think GM stands to compete? Where do you think GM stands to compete?

]]> By: pariah http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518081 pariah Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:22:37 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518081 "How do you sleep at night?" <edit> Oops, someone beat me to it.</edit> “How do you sleep at night?”


Oops, someone beat me to it.

]]> By: M1EK http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-518011 M1EK Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:59:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-518011 M1EK: "How do you sleep at night?" Bob: "On top of a huge pile of money with many beautiful ladies." M1EK: “How do you sleep at night?”

Bob: “On top of a huge pile of money with many beautiful ladies.”

]]> By: davey49 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517872 davey49 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:23:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517872 Will a GM brand ever be part of F1? Will a GM brand ever be part of F1?

]]> By: Redbarchetta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517762 Redbarchetta Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:46:11 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517762 Lutz: Do you know your name sounds a lot like putz? seriously I would ask him if I could shadow him for a day/week/month and see how everything really works or doesn't work inside GM and see if he really does anything all day other than say stupid stuff. Just tell Rick I'm your relative and I can be trusted. For Rick: I would thank him for the Fiat screwup, since I would be really upset if Alfa was a GM brand. I'm sure it would be the Italian Saab by now under their "leadership". Lutz: Do you know your name sounds a lot like putz?

seriously

I would ask him if I could shadow him for a day/week/month and see how everything really works or doesn’t work inside GM and see if he really does anything all day other than say stupid stuff. Just tell Rick I’m your relative and I can be trusted.

For Rick: I would thank him for the Fiat screwup, since I would be really upset if Alfa was a GM brand. I’m sure it would be the Italian Saab by now under their “leadership”.

]]> By: Landcrusher http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517711 Landcrusher Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:35:00 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517711 I like Sajeev's approach. The real art is asking a question you know the answer to, so that the follow up question is set up to be a real zinger. The "one question" approach just doesn't do it, and it seems most journalists don't really get that. If you are going to ask just one question, then ask for information that you really need to inform your audience, not a gotcha. I like Sajeev’s approach. The real art is asking a question you know the answer to, so that the follow up question is set up to be a real zinger. The “one question” approach just doesn’t do it, and it seems most journalists don’t really get that. If you are going to ask just one question, then ask for information that you really need to inform your audience, not a gotcha.

]]> By: Jonny Lieberman http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517562 Jonny Lieberman Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:08:01 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517562 Just to clear my name, when I was hanging with Lutz we spent most of the time talking about the Chevy HHR SS. The rest of it we spent talking about Corvettes. Though... we did have some fun when a Bondourant driver took a bunch of us around the track in a 15-passenger van. It actually handled pretty well. And a GM van, as Lutz was quick to point out. I would just tell to Bob not to change a thing, as he keeps us in business. Just to clear my name, when I was hanging with Lutz we spent most of the time talking about the Chevy HHR SS.

The rest of it we spent talking about Corvettes.

Though… we did have some fun when a Bondourant driver took a bunch of us around the track in a 15-passenger van. It actually handled pretty well.

And a GM van, as Lutz was quick to point out.

I would just tell to Bob not to change a thing, as he keeps us in business.

]]> By: theflyersfan http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517462 theflyersfan Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:46:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517462 Ouch Frank...ouch! I think it came down to billions for the 900s and the change under the couch for the Cobalt. My question - if Michael Moore comes knocking for an interview for "Bob and Me," would you kick him in the nuts or actually answer some questions? Ouch Frank…ouch! I think it came down to billions for the 900s and the change under the couch for the Cobalt.

My question – if Michael Moore comes knocking for an interview for “Bob and Me,” would you kick him in the nuts or actually answer some questions?

]]> By: Frank Williams http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517142 Frank Williams Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:51:56 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517142 <em>yournamehere How much was your development budget for the last Corvette? How much was your development budget for the last Cobalt?</em> Even better, how much was your development budget for the GMT-900s and how much was the development budget for the last Cobalt? Or its replacement? yournamehere
How much was your development budget for the last Corvette? How much was your development budget for the last Cobalt?

Even better, how much was your development budget for the GMT-900s and how much was the development budget for the last Cobalt? Or its replacement?

]]> By: jurisb http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-517131 jurisb Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:49:32 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-517131 1.Bob Lutz, according to market needs what category of cars has increased in sales most dramatically? 2. How many compact/subcompact/ small/medium car platforms has Gm ( or any other american car company) developed herself in last 15 years? 3. Bob, I didn`t mean what subsidiaries you called and begged for underpinnings for, but WHAT GODDAMNED floorpans or platforms did YOUR damned GM company ENGINEER by THEIR OWN hands. Fingers, whatever. 4. How come that according to market studies there is place for minivan sales in any company, except GM ( and ford too)? 5. How many months of waiting are left, before last US-engineered platform dies giving way to euro-korean rebadges? 1.Bob Lutz, according to market needs what category of cars has increased in sales most dramatically?
2. How many compact/subcompact/ small/medium car platforms has Gm ( or any other american car company) developed herself in last 15 years?
3. Bob, I didn`t mean what subsidiaries you called and begged for underpinnings for, but WHAT GODDAMNED floorpans or platforms did YOUR damned GM company ENGINEER by THEIR OWN hands. Fingers, whatever.
4. How come that according to market studies there is place for minivan sales in any company, except GM ( and ford too)?
5. How many months of waiting are left, before last US-engineered platform dies giving way to euro-korean rebadges?

]]> By: yournamehere http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516962 yournamehere Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:27:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516962 How much was your development budget for the last Corvette? How much was your development budget for the last Cobalt? How much was your development budget for the last Corvette? How much was your development budget for the last Cobalt?

]]> By: Mike66Chryslers http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516721 Mike66Chryslers Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:53:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516721 Back in January, Mr.Lutz declared "If everything goes well in the rest of the world, we can take a couple hits in the U.S. and still be okay." http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-declares-war-on-its-customers/ Does the announcement of the pending closure of four of GM's six fullsize truck plants constitute "taking a few hits" or has the situation worsened in your opinion? --------- Last October, Lutz declared “Five years from now there will be one technology leader in the world, and it will be GM.” regarding the Volt. Do you worry that this will be a pyrric victory? Have you considered licencing hybrid technology from Honda or Toyota, as Nissan has done, as a stop-gap measure? (My guess is he'd cringe at the though.) ... Now if only I could find that Lutz quote where he rambles on about the impending death of RWD and V8s. Back in January, Mr.Lutz declared “If everything goes well in the rest of the world, we can take a couple hits in the U.S. and still be okay.”

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-declares-war-on-its-customers/

Does the announcement of the pending closure of four of GM’s six fullsize truck plants constitute “taking a few hits” or has the situation worsened in your opinion?

———

Last October, Lutz declared “Five years from now there will be one technology leader in the world, and it will be GM.” regarding the Volt. Do you worry that this will be a pyrric victory? Have you considered licencing hybrid technology from Honda or Toyota, as Nissan has done, as a stop-gap measure? (My guess is he’d cringe at the though.)

… Now if only I could find that Lutz quote where he rambles on about the impending death of RWD and V8s.

]]> By: Stein X Leikanger http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516592 Stein X Leikanger Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:40:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516592 Bob, you came on board with GM in 2002, and I can't blame you for what GM has done to Saab. In fact, I suspect you're behind the attempt to reposition the brand that's been undertaken since 2002. Unfortunately, that repositioning literally doesn't fly anymore - the brand's been gutted and no longer resembles its origin. Tell us, what is it about the GM corporate culture which is so totally incapable of getting a brand and delivering strong brand promises to the market. How could GM ever even contemplate turning Saab into a luxury marque, away from its sporty handling and quirky heritage? Bob, you came on board with GM in 2002, and I can’t blame you for what GM has done to Saab. In fact, I suspect you’re behind the attempt to reposition the brand that’s been undertaken since 2002.
Unfortunately, that repositioning literally doesn’t fly anymore – the brand’s been gutted and no longer resembles its origin.
Tell us, what is it about the GM corporate culture which is so totally incapable of getting a brand and delivering strong brand promises to the market. How could GM ever even contemplate turning Saab into a luxury marque, away from its sporty handling and quirky heritage?

]]> By: cgraham http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516542 cgraham Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:31:31 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516542 With the average American household pulling in about $48,000/year (per wikipedia) and the average american family putting about 50% of said household income into their car purchase, or $24,000, which NON-GM vehicle would you reccomend in that price point? (as in how well do you know your cometeition REALLY?!) Then follow up with 'now why is your product better?' OR Do you realize how many jobs your mistakes have cost? Of course he wouldn't answer that though would he? How about something along the lines of outsourcing...and how GM as a company could hire an entire city in Mexico to do his job for less? With the average American household pulling in about $48,000/year (per wikipedia) and the average american family putting about 50% of said household income into their car purchase, or $24,000, which NON-GM vehicle would you reccomend in that price point? (as in how well do you know your cometeition REALLY?!) Then follow up with ‘now why is your product better?’

OR
Do you realize how many jobs your mistakes have cost? Of course he wouldn’t answer that though would he?

How about something along the lines of outsourcing…and how GM as a company could hire an entire city in Mexico to do his job for less?

]]> By: Mike66Chryslers http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516491 Mike66Chryslers Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:19:11 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516491 About your promise to have a drivable Volt test mule ready by Easter 2008, it just so happens that I brought an egg with me today.... About your promise to have a drivable Volt test mule ready by Easter 2008, it just so happens that I brought an egg with me today….

]]> By: barberoux http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516451 barberoux Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:04:23 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516451 Why bother? Why bother?

]]> By: Zarba http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/comment-page-1/#comment-516411 Zarba Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:55:01 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ask-the-best-and-brightest-if-you-could-ask-bob-lutz-anything/#comment-516411 1) How will you bring your dealership count more in line with your actual market share? 2) How will you streamline/eliminate brands to reflect actual market share? And how will you pay for it? 3) How do the huge corporate expenditures in NASCAR translate to real-world sales? 4) What are the plans for continuous improvement for the Malibu to not just stay competitive, but to make it truly the class of the segment? 5) What are the plans to develop and produce new diesel engines for car/CUV/SUV/truck applications? 6) The G8 has a huge screen in the dash for radio, but no navigation system? WTF? 1) How will you bring your dealership count more in line with your actual market share?

2) How will you streamline/eliminate brands to reflect actual market share? And how will you pay for it?

3) How do the huge corporate expenditures in NASCAR translate to real-world sales?

4) What are the plans for continuous improvement for the Malibu to not just stay competitive, but to make it truly the class of the segment?

5) What are the plans to develop and produce new diesel engines for car/CUV/SUV/truck applications?

6) The G8 has a huge screen in the dash for radio, but no navigation system? WTF?

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