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What Does Bob Lutz Think About Mary Barra’s Appointment To Lead GM?

Mary Barra’s appointment to the Chief Executive Officer position of General Motors (arguably) dominated the news cycle last week. And given the importance and the unprecedented nature of the announcement, seemingly everyone wanted to share their opinion about the news.

But the one person who is uniquely positioned as being qualified and informed to discuss Mrs. Barra’s appointment while not being employed by GM (and thereby not bound by a corporate filter) is Bob Lutz. Coincidentally, Barra currently holds the position of head of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, Lutz’s former position with the automaker. So Maximum Bob appeared on Frank Beckmann’s radio show in Detroit last week to discuss the development.

Lutz had lots of positive things to say about Barra, and not just about her work performance and car credentials, as Automotive News points out. But he also added this juicy nugget of goodness:

“I don’t know if you know what she looks like, but she is medium height with an attractive, athletic build, nice face – she’s not a little old lady with glasses, she is very athletic looking, very active and it’s easy to imagine her behind the wheel of a car.”

The host of the show advised Lutz, “You’re going to get in trouble for that.” And in typical Maximum Bob fashion, Lutz replied, “I know. Totally politically incorrect. We are not supposed to have eyes anymore.”

Can you "picture" Mrs. Barra driving the Chevy Cruze?

Mary Barra posing next to a Chevrolet Cruze. Can you “imagine” her “behind the wheel” of the Cruze, as per Lutz?

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. And that, ladies and gentlemen (for better or for worse – you choose), is why Bob Lutz would never be a CEO.

    Reply
    1. Pretty much. He thinks being PC has do with eyesight.

      He couldn’t say a word describing her management skills, just what she physically looks like.

      It’s why PC exists in the first place; cock-ups like that wouldn’t be allowed if he were CEO.

      Reply
    2. Seems if I remember correctly, Bob’s already been there and done that. (been a CEO)

      Reply
      1. CEO of Exide—1998 to 2002. Lutz was chairman and chief executive officer of Exide Technologies. He served as Chairman until his resignation on May 17, 2002, and as a member of Exide’s Board of Directors until May 5, 2004.

        Reply
  2. As per the question below the picture: Yes I can imagine her behind the wheel of the Chevy Cruze. And as for Bob Lutz the world needs more people like him, willing to let it out and tell it like it is. Enough of this namby pamby political correctness.

    Reply
  3. Bob knows he is not going to be a CEO and at his age he can say just what he wants.

    I agree more people should call things as they see them do matter if people want to hear it or not.

    Bob has made it clear he may have wanted to be a CEO but never expected to be one. I believe he has enjoyed a greater career than most in the industry and his brashness has cost him at times but it also has made him one of the better auto executives we have seen. Much of the path of GM is due to him because he had the balls to speak up to the board at GM and set the talented people they have loose and enabled them to do the job they can without getting 5 level of indecisive approval.

    All the CEO’s have kept with his path and I see no change coming from here on out. They will let designers design, Engineers Engineer and power plant people follow the paths needed for better products.

    I think Bob here was more about avoiding the question as he knows it is not a good thing for Her or GM for him to say anything negative about here. I am sure there are many things he likes about Mary but I am sure he as something’s he could critic too. Bob is of the mind to do no harm to GM no matter the leader.

    Kind of think of it as how GW Bush is treating Obama. There are many things he would like to say but has enough class to keep quiet about the seated president. His father did the same things as most other presidents other then BIll and Jimmy.

    Reply
  4. Bob knows he is not going to be a CEO and at his age he can say just what he wants.

    I agree more people should call things as they see them do matter if people want to hear it or not.

    Bob has made it clear he may have wanted to be a CEO but never expected to be one. I believe he has enjoyed a greater career than most in the industry and his brashness has cost him at times but it also has made him one of the better auto executives we have seen. Much of the path of GM is due to him because he had the balls to speak up to the board at GM and set the talented people they have loose and enabled them to do the job they can without getting 5 level of indecisive approval.

    All the CEO’s have kept with his path and I see no change coming from here on out. They will let designers design, Engineers Engineer and power plant people follow the paths needed for better products.

    I think Bob also was avoiding any negative talk too. He has good and bad to say about anything and I am sure he disagrees on some things with Mary but he would never do anything to harm GM.

    Reply
  5. Well, unless Mary can really do a number on new car prices……I’ll continue to buy used ones.

    Reply
  6. It says in the article he discussed all her skills. GMauthority chose to only call out the one about her appearance.

    Reply
  7. Actually, Bob hasn’t been a “CEO”. He was in charge of Product Development at both Chrysler and GM and oversaw some iconic products at both Ford and BMW. Notwithstanding, he does not have to be CEO in order to bring about revival in a company. His record speaks for itself, CEO or not. And I’m pretty sure that his brash, tell-it-like-it-is nature is not why he has never been a CEO. It’s because he doesn’t want it.

    Reply
  8. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Bob Lutz. He is the GREATEST automotive executive of all time! Period. There can be no discussion on the building of cars and the resuscitation of dying brands without his name being called. CALLED, not just mentioned. I don’t agree with everything he says, mind you. He says Barra is attractive. I disagree. She’s average at best. There, I’ve said it…I hope those who disagree with me and are so inclined will deboost me because of the Barra and not the Lutz statement. Doing so because of the latter would just be so sad…

    Reply
  9. Why is this “telling it like it is”? What hard, important truth is Lutz getting at? Seriously – I like Lutz (generally) but how is he saying something that needs to be said?

    More to the point, when Henderson, Whitacre or Akerson were hired as CEO, did Bob come out and say something like, “I don’t know if you know what he looks like, but he is tall with a somewhat athletic build, nice round face – he’s an old guy but not THAT old; he is athletic looking, very active and it’s easy to imagine him behind the wheel of a car.”

    If you can point me to where he gave the full rundown of the physical appeal of Akerson et al, as at all relevant to them being qualified to be CEO, please let me know. Otherwise it’s not him avoiding “political correctness” – it’s just him being a creepy old guy, which I don’t think is a role Lutz should be going for.

    Reply
  10. He was CEO there but even Bob will tell you taking that job was one of his worst mistakes. The company was ransacked and when he got in office there was little he could do with what was left.

    Read his Book that addresses his time there and the guy he replaced. He is still mad.

    Reply

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