Bob Lutz is old

I know, obvious right?

My point is, at 74 he's not getting younger. Even in as good a shape as he appears to be, he doesn't look to have too many "good years" left in him. If he should pass on, who would replace him? Is there anyone at GM that he can leave as a successor with good conscience?

If he's gone sooner than later, I fear GM's hopes of a successful turn-around may "go" with him.

Thoughts...

Me.

After initially meeting him some two years ago at the Kappa introduction and as recent as the Zeta lite introduction.

I wouldn't say he's "feeling good" in fact a little short of breathe. It's to be expected. He's older.

So, nobody, please do not take my comments that he's old and dieing, mmmmkay? (consider that my disclaimer).

As for who would replace him? There is nobody in my mind with the heart, desire and passion of American automotives that could right now if something *were* to happen anytime soon. Lutz is the kind of guy I appreciate. The 'Say it like it is, do what I say' kind of guy. It's always worked for him, and I feel others do not have the "fortitude" that he does.

I believe Bob Lutz's father is still alive and well, and drives himself to work everyday.

I believe Bob Lutz's father is still alive and well, and drives himself to work everyday.
that's great. i wonder where he works.... he's got to be nearing 100.

I think a job like he has is enough to keep a man alive. He may have some issues, but going to work and proving the nay-sayers wrong can drive a man to greatness..

Think about the older people you know that still work as hard as they ever did.. My grandpa still goes out and drives tractors when he can, he hangs around the dairy.. he is 75. Without a place to go and something to do I would imagine he would not be nearly as good of shape he is in now.

Some fast facts fwiw: Bob Lutz is a vegetarian and likes the occasional cigar.

I think it's funny that the guy whose handle is "morbid" posts a thread about what to do when someone dies. Must be an appropriate name...

I know lots of people at GM that I would trust in that position. Unfortunately, they're nowhere near high enough on the corporate ladder to be candidates for the position.

Maybe it should be Scott Settlemier. :D (Here's a promotion, Scott. Now can I drive the Concept?)

Me.
Nah, me.

My point is, at 74 he's not getting younger. Even in as good a shape as he appears to be, he doesn't look to have too many "good years" left in him. If he should pass on, who would replace him? Is there anyone at GM that he can leave as a successor with good conscience?

If he's gone sooner than later, I fear GM's hopes of a successful turn-around may "go" with him.

Thoughts...

My thoughts:
GM design czar, Ed Welburn, or
Pull former Holden CEO Peter Hanenberger back from retirement.

Both have done some pretty amazing things, even though the GM bureaucracy worked against them. Welburn getting room to push the design envelope (not to mention turning GMC into a powerhouse in the 90s before his chief of design stint, and gaining support to get SSR made), and Hanenberger for basically thumbing his nose at GM-NA, and making Holden the most profitable division at GM per vehicle volume.... until he retired and GM-NA took over. :(

Long shots:
Mark Reuss, GM High Performance Division.
Dave Hill, Team Corvette Chief Engineer (for about 10-15 years I believe).

I think it's funny that the guy whose handle is "morbid" posts a thread about what to do when someone dies. Must be an appropriate name...

hey, you got me...

and Hanenberger for basically thumbing his nose at GM-NA, and making Holden the most profitable division at GM per vehicle volume.... until he retired and GM-NA took over. :(
well, that's kind of the scary part init... that's why I posted my concern in the first place. GM is notorious for mishandling things at the upper levels. :(

My thoughts:
GM design czar, Ed Welburn,
Welburn is the current head of GM design....you must be thinking Wayne Cherry?...slackass:D

Welburn is the current head of GM design....you must be thinking Wayne Cherry?...slackass:D
Cherry is under Welburn. Welburn moves to Lutz czar position and Cherry takes over the actual design studios and provides direction. Maybe Brian Nezbit will move up a little, I like most of his designs.

Reading comprehension>Branden

:p

Cherry retired some time ago.

Cherry retired some time ago.
D*mn Branden and I both got :Owned: .

D*mn Branden and I both got :Owned: .
Welburn took over Cherry's position. You all suck. ;)

Welburn took over Cherry's position. You all suck. ;)
At least I was man enough to own up to it.:D

Welburn is the current head of GM design....you must be thinking Wayne Cherry?...slackass:D

Charlie & IREngineer beat me to my reply.

Slackass indeed! :lol: ;)

At least I was man enough to own up to it.:D
I think I was right...

Ahh....I read it wrong....I thought he was saying Welburn should be bought from retirement.

I hereby nominate Scott Settlemire to eventually replace Bob Lutz

I hereby nominate Scott Settlemire to eventually replace Bob Lutz

To be honest, I don't think he'd take it if it was given to him.

Another thing to consider is that Bob Lutz is a car guy. Rick Wagoner wanted a Cadillac coupe years ago. Instead, they had to set aside their desires, and focus on building better Cavaliers (Cobalts), SUVs, trucks, taming and then cutting back bureaucracy, co-ordinating the various GM worldwide units, fighting offf investors wanting immediate returns & Wall Street cutting their rating to Junk status, and that's just scratching the surface.

Bob Lutz barely has time to go to the bathroom, and that doesn't include the time he was moonlighting as CEO of GM Europe while still running GM's worldwide product development.

I don't think anyone (Scott included) would give up the fun of actually creating cars in exchange for Bob's job. :no:

Very good points Guy. Someone will want the star status though. I could maybe see Nesbitt doing it one day, but it's a little early. That leaved either an outside person or Welburn. God forbid a bean counter-type end up in the position...

Long shots:
Mark Reuss, GM High Performance Division.
Dave Hill, Team Corvette Chief Engineer (for about 10-15 years I believe). Dave Hill retired sometime around December if I'm not mistaken.

I hereby nominate Scott Settlemire to eventually replace Bob Lutz



Scott is the face of Camaro on the internet...so people sometimes assume he is a GM demigod or whatnot. His actual title is pretty high in GM...but when you look at his age, and where he is on the GM ladder....he is not really in striking distance of Chevy GM (where I think he would be perfect), or running the company. I am not being disrespectful either....Scott will be the first to say what I said. Plus I think Scott has a bit of fun where he is.

Get Jon Moss out of retirement, but he is getting up there too. Jon Moss is to the B-Body Impala SS, as Scott is to the F-Bodies.... or a should say was.

Hell, as long as we're bringing back people, I nominate John DeLorean!

You would have to bring him back from the dead.

You would have to bring him back from the dead.

Exactamundo. My point being that if you are going to try to drag people out of retirement, it would be only a bit more difficult to drag them out of their grave.

He's 74?! Dang. I thought at most he was like high 50's or low 60's..