The Archive: Interview - Ford of Europe boss Bob Lutz

[MEIN_VW]

CAR October, 1982

Bet you didn't know about Maximum Bob's involvement with the development of the Ford Sierra.

[BMW Killa]

very interesting

I never knew anything about Bob Lutz until I read this article. Seems like a smart guy. How old is he now though? he looks like he was in his fifties in 1982

[MEIN_VW]

He's in 70's now - not that he looks it.

He went from GM Europe to BMW to Ford of Europe to Ford to Chrysler and then back to GM.

He's got a lot of experience with a lot different car companies with postings in the US and Europe that makes him more well-rounded than a lot of auto execs.

[MEIN_VW]

bump for an interesting read.

[AKADriver]

Absolutely fascinating, and the picture of Lutz looks like propaganda art. Looking back on this with the intervening 25 years of history, it's amazing how right he was about the Sierra and about the Taurus (the FWD project for America). Both of those cars were amazing successes for Ford.

[duke of chucchinchilla]

Quote »

At the end of the interview, just a day away from his departure, Bob Lutz paid handsome complements to Ed Blanch, his successor in the chair of Ford of Europe, with a typically Lutz comparison between films and the car game...

Funny how in the latest video of Bob Lutz, he compares automotive development costs to movie production costs. He said something like "nobody thinks about a movie costing 100, 200, $300m, but in the car industry, that's a very minor facelift, we work in the billions..."

[vwlarry]

Lutz' biography would make a v. good movie screenplay. Born to privilege, yet grounded by patriotism and a strong work-ethic, capped by a passion for automobiles from his youngest years, the guy really is the "stuff of legend". I get kind of tired of narrowminded know-nothings who badmouth Lutz. He has forgotten more about cars and the car business than most of them will ever know.

BMW, as we know it since the 1970s, would most likely never have even existed without the guidance and insight of Robert Lutz during its critical transition from a German oddity into a worldwide powerhouse carmaker. He should be applauded for this alone.

[MEIN_VW]

Recommended reading.

We could use more people like Lutz in the executive ranks of car companies.


Modified by MEIN_VW at 12:03 PM 8-27-2008

[GahannaKid]

Quote, originally posted by MEIN_VW »

We could use more people like Lutz in the executive ranks of car companies.

Ever since first reading about Lutz I've always held that the man is brilliant. Recent interviews and readings, both past & present, have only reaffirmed my opinion that ALL companies need men like Bob Lutz. He appreciates Japanese cars, German cars, old cars, and new cars. He likes them big, small, FWD, RWD, and everything in between. Most importantly though he always tries to put himself in the shoes of the consumer, something that has been sorely lacking from GM for far too long. He's a car guy that understands non-car people.

[uberR32]

I'm sorry, I have to keep this fair and balanced. From the man who drove BMW to success and GM into the ground. . .

GM exec stands by calling global warming a "crock"

Talk About a Crock…

Lutz bearish on small cars, diesels, bullish on E85

But Lutz said short-term spikes in the price of gas hardly diminish the appeal of brawny SUVs that can carry nine passengers and haul trailers and boats

But at a media briefing last week, Robert A. Lutz, G.M.'s vice chairman and product development chief, emphasized that his company would be hedging its bets. "I'm betting we're going to see regular under $2 a gallon again," he said, but added that "what we have is volatility and the volatility may continue.

Lutz Says GM Is Over the Worst



Modified by uberR32 at 1:14 PM 8-27-2008

[Accidental L8 apex]

I'm sorry, I have to keep this fair and balanced. From the man who drove BMW to success and GM into the ground.

While much of what you posted is true and your links bear this out, he was far from the "one" who drove GM into the ground. That much is total fallacy.

[Boosted03GTI]

His book Car Guys vs Bean Counters was a great read. It really gives a good look into the American automotive industry from an insider who's held just about every corporate position in the industry. I suggest you pick it up, it's a relatively short read and doesn't seem to concerned with politics, which is contrary to most of his actions these days. I loved the book, respect the man, and agreed with "most" of his views. However nothing he can say will allow me to condone the Big 3 "Automotive" execs arriving in corporate jets to beg Congress to give them hard earned tax dollars so they can keep the companies afloat, and use that same Taxpayer money to negotiate a deal to pay those same taxpayers less money. But I digress...most car guys will love it.