Lutz resurfaces in advisory roles at Lotus, GM
 | Former GM product boss Bob Lutz has been conducting design reviews for about a year on several models that Lotus is developing. Photo credit: BLOOMBERG |
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NEW YORK -- Former General Motors product chief Bob Lutz has been advising Lotus on car designs as the sports car maker attempts a turnaround.
Speaking on the Lotus stand at the New York auto show here, Lutz said he has been conducting design reviews for about a year on several cars that the British company is developing.
"The future vision is now being executed with a great deal of dynamism," Lutz said.
Lotus, a maker of sports and racing cars owned by Malaysia's Proton, has launched a product renaissance under CEO Dany Bahar.
Lutz, 80, who retired from GM last year after a 47-year career in the auto industry, said he also has agreed to work with new GM product-development chief Mary Barra on a "pro bono" basis.
Reports surfaced this year that GM was interested in bringing on Lutz as a paid consultant. Today, Lutz said that news "caused a stir" with the Treasury Department, so he decided to work informally for GM.
The U.S. government still owns a 33 percent stake in GM.
Lutz said he consults with Lotus designers "when I can."
"I give them the benefit of my accumulated experience, whether they ask for it or not," he said, laughing.
Lutz said he plans a tour when his upcoming book, "Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business," is released in June.
You can reach Mike Colias at mcolias@crain.com.
