GM Announces Lutz Retirement
By Michelle Krebs February 9, 2009By Michelle Krebs
DETROIT -- General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who heads global product
development, will retire at the end of 2009.
The 76-year-old Lutz will be replaced by Tom Stephens, 60, who now heads global powertrain development.
Lutz steps down from his current post on April 1, becoming vice chairman and senior advisor, while Stephens takes over Lutz's previous duties.
Lutz's retirement is not entirely unexpected, though many thought he would stay on through the launch of the Chevrolet Volt in November of 2010 since he has been the car's biggest champion. But clearly the automaker's current financial crisis and GM's forced restructuring required as part of its acceptance of government loans accelerated Lutz's retirement.
In response to a question asked during an exclusive interview with AutoObserver last spring, Lutz said he would retire if GM Chairman Rick Wagoner or the GM board wanted him to or if he had health issues. At the time, none of those applied. In fact, Lutz did have some health issues this summer, ones that turned out to be kidney stones.
In the interview, Lutz, who has been quoted as saying global warming is hooey and who has no love for politicians, also said he might consider retiring if government regulations became too cumbersome. Now, the government, which has loaned GM billions, is, indeed, running the automaker, in a sense.
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