Monday, February 16, 2009

Retiring GM product chief Bob Lutz talks about how awful the Saturn Ion and last-generation Chevy Malibu were. These are cars that were in the pipeline when Lutz joined GM. The trouble is, Lutz has been there for 7 years and GM still only makes about four cars I'd even consider buying (Cadillac CTS, new Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G8, GMC Acadia). ... Maybe also the Pontiac Vibe, which is really a Toyota Matrix. ... P.S.:  Lutz was responsible for at least one beautiful and affordable automobile, the Pontiac Solstice. Too bad he couldn't make it reliable. ... P.P.S.: He also gets points for pushing the forthcoming Chevy Volt electric car, assuming it works. ... P.P.P.S.: LAT 's Dan Neil has Lutz's number , which is that he is only refreshingly candid in retrospect. He always praises GM's upcoming products and current executives. At the moment he's "shilling wildly for the new [Buick] LaCrosse." Guess he's still on the payroll. ... 12:08 A.M.

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Sad to see a once-vibrant Web site fall silent . ... Update: kf gets results . ... 12:02 A.M.

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