Bob Lutz Quotes

Being able to ‘think out of the box’ presupposes you were able to think in it.

It applies in any business. Shoemakers should be run by shoe guys, and software firms by software guys, and supermarkets by supermarket guys. With the advice and support of their bean counters, absolutely, but with the final word going to those who live and breathe the customer experience. Passion and drive for excellence will win over the computer-like, dispassionate, analysis-driven philosophy every time.

Forcing automakers to sell smaller cars to improve fuel economy [is like]... fighting the nation's obesity problem by forcing clothing manufacturers to sell garments in only small sizes.

The electrification of the automobile is inevitable.

In the past, (GM) produced a lot of very excellent vehicles but somehow they didn't excite anybody.

Design can be both a manifestation of a company's design ethic and an outward communication of a company's design ethic and drive for excellence.

Public Schools too often fail because they are shielded from the very force that improves performance and sparks innovation in nearly every other human enterprise - competition.

Tesla burns cash. It's not a car company, it's a cult of fanatics who think Elon Musk can do no wrong. But financially, it doesn't work.

What do you want in a female companion? What is the first thing that attracts you. Her ability to cook and keep house or is it the way she looks? It's not politically correct, GM hates it when I draw that analogy. But it's absolutely correct."

You cannot buy a bad automobile any more from any producer. We have to do more products not because we're looking at a particular segment, but because it's a great vehicle.

Why did I lose? No reason, though you might like to know that I got tired, my ears started popping, the rubber came off my shoes, I got cramp, and I lost one of my contact lenses. Other than that I was in great shape.

With autonomous cars, you're gonna see more consolidation. Once we have transport modules, you order off the phone and brands won't matter anymore. When brands don't matter, the auto industry ends. It's got another 20 years.

CAFE is like trying to cure obesity by requiring clothing manufacturers to make smaller sizes.

I think either party would have seen the wisdom in bailing out the American automobile industry, because one job in ten in the United States is either directly or indirectly connected to the automobile industry. You just could not let these companies go down.

The Marine Corps taught me commitment, courage, focus, and a value system that can easily suffice for people like me who aren't religious.

One colossal advantage of being in extra innings is that you can tell it like it is, say what you think, and largely eschew political caution.

There's a powerful sense of reality to our concepts, ... These are vehicles we think people would purchase and drive today.

People under 75 need more seasoning