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Diesels and hybrids make no economic sense, and global warming is a "crock of $#*#", says Lutz. (http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2008/01/30/gms-lutz-on-hybrids-global-warming-and-cars-as-art/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/bob_lutz.jpgGlenn Hunter - D Magazine - Jan 30, 2008

....but isn't the Volt a serial hybrid? - Ed

Bob Lutz, General Motors’ vice chairman and chief car guru, says what really turns him on is “doing the unexpected”–acting “contrary to the conventional wisdom, forcing people to re-think their beliefs.” Maybe that’s why Lutz (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2005/01/lutz_biography_1.html), who made his name developing behemoths like the V-10 Dodge Viper, is so sold on the fuel-efficient new Chevrolet Volt, which will run on a lithium-ion battery and could go on sale by 2010. “The Volt thrills me because it’s the last thing anybody expected from GM,” the ex-Marine said at a private lunch in Arlington today. If you’re into cars or the car business, jump to read more of Lutz’s contrarian beliefs.

During a closed-door session with several journalists at the Cacharel (http://www.cacharel.net/) restaurant, Lutz declared that:

–Hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense,” because their price will never come down, and diesel autos like those touted by Chrysler are also uneconomic. The only place in Europe that diesel-driven cars are big, he said, is where diesel fuel is half the cost of regular gasoline; in most places there, the costs are comparable and diesel has little market penetration...http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2008/01/30/gms-lutz-on-hybrids-global-warming-and-cars-as-art/

"I’m a skeptic, not a denier."

Me too Bob. Wait......we are talking about GM's ability to deliver an affordable, efficient, game-changing Volt, right?

Bob Lutz may indeed think that climate change is a "crock of ****". But having the champion of the Volt say that PUBLICLY is like your doctor writing you a prescription for a new medication for your illness while noting that "this new medication is complete crap".

I think Don Imus should invite Bob Lutz to his show - he's perfect. :p

my tdi gets 100% better mileage than the last POS GM car my wife owned. diesel makes sense to me :Banane49:

Nothing at all about E85? Color me un-shocked. Obscure technical amendment, here we come.

"Comebacks are always design driven."

Let's see. Like SSR? HHR? The series of hit minivans?

-mr. bill

Hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense ....”
Sounds like something that should eventually end up on this list (http://www.freemaninstitute.com/quotes.htm) (category #1).

Im telling you GM is full of quacks! The company really needs to die!!!!!

Isn't Bob Lutz the head of the company that just lost 38.7 billion dollars? Well, I agree with him that the Volt is "the last thing anybody expects from GM". I myself don't expect it at all, any time soon. I can also see why he says that " Hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense". A company that looses 38.7 billion dollars certainly has absolutely no concept whatsoever of what does, or does not make economic sense.

And his comment that "Global warming is a “total crock of ****.” I think this gives us an inkling of the "caliber" of this former marine.

All in all, more smoke and mirrors from a crude vice chairman who is driving his company to record losses.

Looser.

Of course fuel efficiency makes no sense. That's why I've saved $500 in gas over the past four months alone... :rolleyes:

A company that looses 38.7 billion dollars certainly has absolutely no concept whatsoever of what does, or does not make economic sense.

that made me LOL

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My nickname for Bob, "Luddite Lutz," seems more appropriate than ever.

Harry

Has this guy ever been to Europe?! Does this guy have any economic sense whatsoever?! Oman, It's so tempting to rub this in the face of everyone who drives a GM.

Does anyone know if diesel is truly priced different from petrol in Europe? I haven't been there in 2 years, but I thought that it was pretty much the same. 1 pound sterling per liter (or litre)



Louis B

A company that looses 38.7 billion dollars certainly has absolutely no concept whatsoever of what does, or does not make economic sense.Very well said.

Lutz is a Putz. End of story.

Hi All:

___Diesel and petrol were just $4.00 per only 5 + years ago in Europe IIRC and the small diesels took over the market. GM is profitable in Europe selling smaller cars with diesels and not a single Silverado or Sierra can be found :confused: Hmmm. Then there most recent loss whereas Toyota is all but printing money selling much more fuel efficient automobiles …

___I think Mr. Lutz needs to come visit the real world where people work and pay for fuel and are discovering their $10.00 per day fuel habit in the 15 mpg SUV is getting to be ridiculous even if gasoline only costs $3.00 + per. What happens when it reaches $20.00 per day or $400 a month (fuel costs alone) not including a trip to a cabin every other month or the price of the vehicle, financing, insurance, maintenance or depreciation?

___Hey Bob, do you hear me now? Hello, anybody home?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___I think Mr. Lutz needs to come visit the real world where people work and pay for fuel and are discovering their $10.00 per day fuel habit in the 15 mpg SUV is getting to be ridiculous even if gasoline only costs $3.00 + per. What happens when it reaches $20.00 per day or $400 a month (fuel costs alone) not including a trip to a cabin every other month or the price of the vehicle, financing, insurance, maintenance or depreciation?

___Hey Bob, do you hear me now? Hello, anybody home?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

10/4 good buddy, you're comming in loud and clear! :cool:

AND we haven't even begun to discuss his need to pay his mortgage, to eat (have you noticed how food is going up)???!!! :eek:

Good bye standard of living, hello depression! :(

Talk About a Crock… (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/02/talk_about_a_cr.html#more)

It is obvious the market for 1/2 3/4 1 ton vehicles-pickups,and medium(Trailblazer,Explorer) and large(Tahoe,Suburban,Expedition) is dying.Just look at the dealer ads.In todays paper-Times Picayune NOLA-
1)$8000 off all 2007 Tundras-$6000 off all Crew max 2008 Tundras-I paid $22,500 for an extracab2001 Tundra in 2002,and it was a good deal then!You can buy the top of the line crew cab with the 5.7 for $23000 now!
2) $10000 off all Dodge ram 1500 big horns
3)$25,495 for a new Duramax Chevrolet Diesel 3/4 tonwith 6 speed Allison Trans-it lists at $37,000 and they would regularly get $33000 for this base model 2 years ago.The diesel trans pk is a $6500+ option
On the other side
1)Base MT Honda Fit $14500-looks like full list!! Who advertises something at full list-Honda with their smallest car!They rarely discount more than a couple hundred $$.

Big vehicles are niche vehicles.We are reverting to a 1960's vehicle mix with mini-minivans(Like the Mazda 5)/hatchbacks,and maybe stationwagons replacing SUVs and pickups.In the 1960's stationwagons were the SUVs/Pickups/minivans.
Charlie

Talk About a Crock… (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/02/talk_about_a_cr.html#more)

I replied to this. I did notice something at the bottom of the page, though:

"To protect against spam, off-topic and abusive comments, all comments are reviewed before being posted to the blog."

So, in case my comment doesn't make it up there, here it is for the record:

Mr. Lutz,

Why doesn't GM put a two-mode hybrid system in a small sedan and have it get 50+ MPG? Why isn't there a flex-fuel Aveo? Why was the EV-1 kiboshed? Why does it seem that GM *only* wants to raise the fuel economy floor (which is no doubt a worthy goal) but has made few strides yet in pushing the ceiling higher?

I sincerely hope that the Volt is released and becomes the greatest success in the history of automobiles, and solves all environmental and sociopolitical issues related to oil and gasoline. I hope it comes out and proves me and every other doubter and skeptic out there wrong.

However, Mr. Lutz, given GM's recent history regarding fuel economy, you will not be cut any slack until GM really puts out something that pushes the envelope. You are a major figure at one of the most prominent American companies. This kind of scrutiny should be expected. You certainly have a right to express and defend your opinions, just as others have a right to analyze and criticize your opinions.

I wish you luck, for more than just your sake.

Sincerely,
PDK and a lot of other people who want to see a truly great, American hybrid car

Talk About a Crock… (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/02/talk_about_a_cr.html#more)

Hooray, my comment got posted. Reading a few of the other comments on this entry, I've found that it's about 74% Bob Lutz lovefest, 24% Lutz is an idiot, and maybe 2% that's actually discussing something worthwhile without attacking others...and actually bringing up factual points.

Yikes.

"My thoughts on what has or hasn’t been the cause of climate change have nothing to do with the decisions I make to advance the cause of General Motors." - Lutz

BOOM! There it is! There's the disconnect.

How much do they pay that moron to disregard a very likely future of very expensive gasoline, and the automobile market that goes along with that likely future...

...which holds no place for a company like the present GM. The shareholders should sue him. This is "leadership"?

Lutz is the biggest tool on earth!

Hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense ....” So the Tahoe hybrid is a better buy for the commuter?

So the Tahoe hybrid is a better buy for the commuter?

What he meant to say is: when we produce Hybrid cars, like those made by Toyota, they “make no economic sense,” :D

Bob Klutz is simply pointing out to Americans the direction GM will proceed on. His comments are "right on", for Bob Klutz. GM will continue to stall on the Volt. GM will continue to feed us the "hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense,” bilge. GM will continue denying America what it needs, FE European high MPG vehicles. Gm will continue to support the oil industry desire to keep the consumption of gasoline and diesel high, of course for greed. GM will push the car as "an exciting mobile sculpture that you want to own, drive and be seen in". Where have we heard and seen that before?? Don't forget that it screens "who you are" and, by the way, forget about how much gasoline costs and what their criminal greed is doing to this country and our people!

If his comments aren't a fine reason for nationalizing the industry, I do not know what is!

They do not give a damn about what they are doing to this country. Not one damn!

This reminds me of the mythbusters quote
"I reject your reality and replace it with my own".
He just seems to be so disconnected with what the middle class of America is going through right now.

Isn't this the same company that brought us the Vega as their answer to fuel efficiency back in the early 70's?

make no economic sense

He said it only eight months ago.

Hi All:

___I would love to hear what Bob has to say today?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___I would love to hear what Bob has to say today?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

"Can you spare a few billion dollars to help me out?"