GM Car Czar Bob Lutz: Spinmeister or Forgetful Jones?

by Paul Niedermeyer

April 11th, 2008 3:31 PM

gm car czar bob lutz spinmeister or forgetful jones

The print edition of Auto, Motor und Sport (March 13, 2008) carries an interview with GM Car Czar Bob Lutz. Regarding February sales, Maximum Bob told the German car mag “everyone was down strongly, including Toyota;” forgetting that Nissan and Honda were both up for the month. MB also “reveals” that GM’s hybrids are selling “increasingly better” and “the mild-hybrid system in the Malibu and Vue are selling well;” forgetting that GM sold just 577 hybrids in March, less than 30 of which were gas – electric ‘Bus and Vues. Lutz also says “Hybrids are not an economic or practical solution. Driving with two power sources leads to higher costs that the buyer can never recoup;” forgetting that the Prius can recoup its premium in less than five years. Note to Bob: the truth will set you free.

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Johnson on Apr 13, 2008
The print edition of Auto, Motor und Sport (March 13, 2008) carries an interview with GM Car Czar Bob Lutz. Regarding February sales, Maximum Bob told the German car mag “everyone was down strongly, including Toyota;” forgetting that Nissan and Honda were both up for the month. MB also “reveals” that GM’s hybrids are selling “increasingly better” and “the mild-hybrid system in the Malibu and Vue are selling well;” forgetting that GM sold just 577 hybrids in March, less than 30 of which were gas - electric ‘Bus and Vues. Lutz also says “Hybrids are not an economic or practical solution. Driving with two power sources leads to higher costs that the buyer can never recoup;” forgetting that the Prius can recoup its premium in less than five years. Note to Bob: the truth will set you free. Good old Lutz. Where to start ... Toyota's sales were down primarily due to the Corolla model changeover. Lutz' comment on hybrids is not only woefully incorrect, it's also ironic and hypocritical given some of the statements made by Lutz and others at GM regarding hybrids over the past few months. philbailey, that was a silly article by the Toronto Star. They obviously did NOT look at complete costs of ownership. What about maintenance, especially long-term maintenance? What about the fact that Toyota for example offers an 8 year warranty on hybrid components, as opposed to a much lesser warranty on the rest of the car? I'm always amazed at how ignorant and short-sighted critics of hybrids, especially of the Prius are. There are studies out there that show over a 5 year period a Prius will save thousands of dollars compared to a Corolla. Not just in fuel economy, but in maintenance costs as well. Has nobody even bothered to think why Toyota offers such a long warranty on hybrid components? Perhaps it's because electrical components are more reliable than mechanical components? Fact is, the Prius IS more reliable than a regular car, and the Prius over several years DOES end up saving you a significant amount of money compared to a regular car.

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George Labrador on Apr 13, 2008

I tend to agree with Phil Bailey about Hybrids, one of the worst features that cost money is that a Hybrid vehicle has to be maintained at a Dealer of same, more costs to the owner as he/she is not able to take his vehicle to an independent garage! Whats going to happen when the Hybrid battery needs to be replaced, who is going to take it in to be junked or whatever? Lots of decisions, I do agree that the Toyota system is a lot better than is the hybrid in the GM line.

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David C. Holzman on Apr 13, 2008

Lutz is exhibiting typical H. sapiens behavior. Denial is a very common trait in our species.

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Shaker on Apr 14, 2008

Lutz also says “BAS Hybrids are not an economic or practical solution." There, fixed for ya, MB.

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