Executive Profiles
Biographical Summary
Lutz, whose perhaps GM's most famous employee and a former Marine fighter pilot, will retire, effective May 1, 2010. This will be his second retirement from GM. The long-time auto industry executive, who besides working for GM in Europe in the 1960s, held executive positions at BMW, Ford and Chrysler, where he put his stamp on vehicles like the retro Plymouth Prowler, and Dodge Viper, rejoined GM in 2001, as the head of product development. Lutz decided to retire now in part "because hot-selling vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Camaro, along with the growing strength of GM's four brands, prove that a product-focused mindset inside the company is in place for the long term." "I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete -- the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations," Lutz said in March 2010. "Our product lineup is as strong as it has been in GM's history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality. And most importantly, the absolute commitment to being a product-driven company is ingrained throughout the organization -- from the top down -- and I am confident that, under Ed Whitacre's leadership, the straightforward, singular focus on product will endure."
