Zeta advocate Lutz to retire

Holden is losing a good friend in Detroit. GM's Vice Chairman for Global Product Development, Bob Lutz, will move into a senior advisory role ahead of his retirement at the end of 2009.

Lutz (pictured here alongside the Cadillac Converj concept in Detroit) will be remembered in Australia for his promotion of the V2-VZ Monaro as a modern-day Pontiac GTO, but his profound admiration for the local GM subsidiary also led to Holden re-engineering the VE Commodore as the Pontiac G8 for American consumption. A fan of old-fashioned rear-wheel drive muscle cars, Lutz was smitten with the Monaro, but also held Holden in high regard for the company-wide enthusiasm of its employees and Holden's propensity for profitability and lean-manufacturing techniques.

Far from being a victim of the current blood-letting within GM's ranks, Lutz, aged 76, will be replaced by Tom Stephens (pictured), who will slip into the role vacated by Lutz as he, in turn, moves into the new advisory position.

"Bob Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in 2001," said GM's CEO, Rick Wagoner, "and he's added to that by leading the creation of a string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here".

"His 46 years of experience in the global automotive business have been invaluable to us. I've personally learned a great deal from Bob and have very much enjoyed the time we've worked together."

"Tom Stephens is the perfect guy to take the reins of GM's global product development," said Wagoner of Lutz's replacement.

"With his 40 years at GM, Tom has an extraordinary understanding of our products and our organization, and is highly respected worldwide. I'm confident that with Tom's passion for great products and vast knowledge of advanced propulsion, he will continue to raise the bar in executing outstanding GM cars and trucks."