Carl-Peter Forster With The Opel GT
Every so often a piece of news captures the Internet community like wildfire. Over the past few months we’ve seen more embargoes broken than bones in a UFC fight. We’ve seen more rampant speculation about future product than I can even begin to remember.
We’ve also read rumors about GM Product czar Bob Lutz’s retirement, as early as today. Thankfully, Mr. Lutz is not going anywhere, anytime soon, and we have the official word.
A news piece that has engulfed the Internet like the Rosie vs. Donald debacle has, is a news piece that AutoBlog.com first reported on. In the piece, Auto Blog quotes a story by Just-Auto.com. In the piece, it’s says that, “GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster has been informed by Chairman Rick Wagoner that he will be taking over Lutz's seat on the board of directors as well as his role leading product development in 2008.”
In an exchange tonight with Mr. Lutz, we here at the Source asked the question: “ Mr. Lutz, I am sure your e-mail/blackberry, etc. is blowing up over the news that Mr. Carl-Peter Forster is set to replace you in 2008. If I can ask, one simply put question, and have it be "on the record" if you will, is it safe to assume that you will still remain in communication with GM and the Board after this takes place, if true?”
I won’t try to manipulate any words, nor try to hype up the response. Instead, nobody says it better than Bob, and here u go. Mr. Lutz flat out denies the story, the report, the tabloid like reporting that one news story over-seas decided to run with. Mr. Lutz had this to say to TheGMSource.com
“That rumor has officially been denied by GM. It is totally baseless, there is no plan to have me retire. The story started in "Wirtschaftswoche" and is pure invention. Carl Peter Forster was not "talked to" by Rick Wagoner, there is no such plan, there was no such conversation. The whole thing is utter and complete BS.” - Bob Lutz
Mr. Lutz has also said as early as just last week that he plans to say on board at GM to see the Volt through and through, saying it’s one of the most exciting vehicle projects he’s ever been involved with. Citing it’s different for General Motors and revolutionary from the automaker. He said, he expects the project to keep him on board for another 3, or 4 years.
So, while GM enthusiasts on the Internet “damn the man” and claim that GM is making a terrible decision, amongst other things, the word from Mr. Lutz is up above, for the world to see.
However, I’ve also read that GM may be making room for Wolfgang Bernhardt to join GM Europe. Back in my days of writing for a different web-site, I mentioned time and time again that Wolfgang would be a perfect addition to General Motors and would be a suitable replacement to the man that put the Solstice in my driveway and many future GM products in the general public’s own parking spaces.
Josh Oliver
JOliver@TheGMSource.com