Breaking: Bob Lutz To Be New Chairman of Opel
Spiegel Online reports that Bob Lutz will be named Chairman, and head of the Supervisory Board of Opel. Carl-Peter Forster, who threw in his hat with the Magna buy-out, resigned on the news that GM intends to keep Opel. Forster, the first German to head Opel in decades, was seen to be more independent of Detroit, and respected for his management skills. According to the Spiegel report, managers at Opel are preparing for payback from Lutz, for any prior sins of supporting Opel’s independence and aversion to meddling from RenCen. Opel managers blame Lutz and GM management for pushing cheap Daewoo-Chevrolets in Europe at the expense of Opel, directly contributing to Opels recent problems. For Lutz, aged 77, this is a circular development to his long career which began in Europe with GM Europe (Opel) in 1963.
Also according to Der Spiegel, Nick Reilly, currently chief of GM’s Asia business, will take Forster’s job at GME. Automobilwoche [sub] has it that Forster has already signed with “a leading auto manufacturer.” Opel CEO Hans Demant also is expected to get the pink slip, says Das Autohaus.
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Can we get Bob to take Susan with him?
Does anyone know the story behind that photo? Paul?
PeteMoran, As per the original article: Bob Lutz standing triumphantly over an Opel Kadett that he flipped during high-speed testing on a German track.
So how much money did Germany blow trying to manage the Opel sale? Just curious exactly how pissed they are. Lutz may be the only guy at GM that sees the value in the Holdens and Opels in America. I hope I'm so busy at 77 - that is, not managing the house waste basket emptying schedule and worrying about when I'm going to load/unload the dishwasher.