Opel, like the rest of the auto market, has seen a decline from its heyday of twelve percent. Reilly thinks it can claim ten percent of the market in due time.

What are the products Opel will bring out, and which products will be diesel and which will be gasoline?

How is Opel’s relationship with General Motors and Germany?

Brannon sat down with a group of journalists to talk about Chevy Europe and how it is doing.

What are the products Chevy will be bringing out for the European market?

What are the major markets for Europe?

How many of the vehicles will be diesel and how many gasoline?

Li talks about the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was recently signed by Mercedes-Benz. What type of car is it, where will it be produced and sold?

We also talked about the driving range of the battery and whether BYD held all the global patents for the battery they would be using in the cars they were bringing to the United States.

We were having lunch (Gruyere fondue) at the Chalet de Gruyeres in Gruyeres, Switzerland when Bob told us he was retiring. “They’re announcing it tomorrow, but it won’t be effective till May 1st.” Anyone who knows Bob isn’t surprised that he didn’t wait till the announcement came out. It’s what we love about him.

Here is part of the interview I did with Lutz that evening.

Is Ed Whitacre the right guy for the job?

What are some of the problems inside General Motors?

Was Wagoner the right person for the job?

Did Wagoner support Lutz?

Will Whitacre support Reuss?

DETROIT – General Motors Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010, capping a 47-year career in the global auto industry that included senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers.

Lutz, 78, rejoined GM September 1, 2001, as the head of product development, and has led the company’s resurgence in developing great cars and trucks.  He also worked at BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

“The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM’s commitment to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles will last for years to come,” GM CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre said.  “I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.”

Lutz said he 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.  “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.”

Lutz, a GM vice chairman, was appointed senior advisor in December 2009 and will continue to provide guidance on design and key product initiatives until he retires May 1.

We were having lunch (Gruyere fondue) at the Chalet de Gruyeres in Gruyeres, Switzerland when Bob told us he was retiring. “They’re announcing it tomorrow, but it won’t be effective till May 1st.” Anyone who knows Bob isn’t surprised that he didn’t wait till the announcement came out. It’s what we love about him.

Here is part of the interview I did with Lutz that evening.

Lutz is leaving before an IPO is coming out. Does he think they should do it now?

Lutz championed the Chevy Volt, sometimes through hostility inside General Motors. Why isn’t he staying till the Volt comes out?

Here is the press release for Lutz’s retirement from General Motors.

DETROIT – General Motors Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010, capping a 47-year career in the global auto industry that included senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers.

Lutz, 78, rejoined GM September 1, 2001, as the head of product development, and has led the company’s resurgence in developing great cars and trucks.  He also worked at BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

“The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM’s commitment to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles will last for years to come,” GM CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre said.  “I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.”

Lutz said he 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.  “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.”

Lutz, a GM vice chairman, was appointed senior advisor in December 2009 and will continue to provide guidance on design and key product initiatives until he retires May 1.

We were having lunch (Gruyere fondue) at the Chalet de Gruyeres in Gruyeres, Switzerland when Bob told us he was retiring. “They’re announcing it tomorrow, but it won’t be effective till May 1st.” Anyone who knows Bob isn’t surprised that he didn’t wait till the announcement came out. It’s what we love about him.

Here is part of the interview I did with Lutz that evening.

Was Lutz asked to retire?

Were any of the recent changes inside General Motors suggestions from Lutz?

I asked Lutz to give me one other person inside General Motors that has the insight into the car business that Lutz has?

Here is the press release from General Motors on Bob Lutz’s retirement:

DETROIT – General Motors Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010, capping a 47-year career in the global auto industry that included senior leadership positions at four of the world’s leading automakers.

Lutz, 78, rejoined GM September 1, 2001, as the head of product development, and has led the company’s resurgence in developing great cars and trucks.  He also worked at BMW, Chrysler and Ford.

“The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM’s commitment to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles will last for years to come,” GM CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre said.  “I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.”

Lutz said he 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.  “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.”

Lutz, a GM vice chairman, was appointed senior advisor in December 2009 and will continue to provide guidance on design and key product initiatives until he retires May 1.

In the next four videos you will see:

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina
Alfa Romeo Pandion concept by Bertone
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Aston Martin Cygnet pre-production concept
2011 Audi A1
Audi A1 E-Tron concept
2011 Audi RS5
2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible
BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid
BMW Concept ActiveE (European debut)
2011 BMW 5 Series
BYD
Carlsson Super GT C25
Chevrolet Aveo RS (European debut)
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Spark
Citroën DS High Rider concept
Citroën GQ
2010 Dacia Duster
DOK-ING XD concept
Ferrari 599 GTB Hybrid concept
2011 Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max (production versions)
2011 Ford Focus (European debut)
Garia LSV (Low Speed Vehicle)
2010 Hispano Suiza concept
Hyundai Tucson ix35 Concept
Hyundai i-flow diesel-electric hybrid concept
I.DE.A Institute Sofia concept
2011 Infiniti M35 Hybrid
2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition
2011 Kia Sportage
2011 Koenigsegg Agera
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera
2011 Lexus CT 200h
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept
2011 Lotus Elise
Lotus Evora Cup
2011 Mazda Mazda5
Mercedes-Benz F800 concept
2011 Mini Countryman
2011 Mitsubishi ASX
Mitsubishi Concept cX
Nissan 370Z Roadster (European debut)
Nissan Global Compact Car
2011 Nissan Juke
2010 Nissan Navara
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
2010 Nissan Qashqai
Opel Amptera
Opel Flextreme GT/E concept
2010 Opel Meriva
2011 Pagani Zonda Tricolore
Peugeot SR1
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept
2011 Porsche Cayenne
Proton Concept Car by Italdesign Giugiaro
2010 Renault Mégane Convertible
2010 Renault Twingo CC
2010 Renault Wind
Rinspeed UC – (electric micro vehicle)
2011 Saab 9-4X
Tata Nano EV
Valmet Eva
2010 Volkswagen CrossPolo
2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
2011 Volkswagen Sharan
2011 Volkswagen Touareg
2011 Volvo S60

In the next four videos you will see:

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina
Alfa Romeo Pandion concept by Bertone
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Aston Martin Cygnet pre-production concept
2011 Audi A1
Audi A1 E-Tron concept
2011 Audi RS5
2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible
BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid
BMW Concept ActiveE (European debut)
2011 BMW 5 Series

BYD
Carlsson Super GT C25
Chevrolet Aveo RS (European debut)
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Spark
Citroën DS High Rider concept
Citroën GQ
2010 Dacia Duster
DOK-ING XD concept
Ferrari 599 GTB Hybrid concept
2011 Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max (production versions)
2011 Ford Focus (European debut)
Garia LSV (Low Speed Vehicle)
2010 Hispano Suiza concept
Hyundai Tucson ix35 Concept
Hyundai i-flow diesel-electric hybrid concept
I.DE.A Institute Sofia concept
2011 Infiniti M35 Hybrid
2011 Jaguar XKR Special Edition
2011 Kia Sportage
2011 Koenigsegg Agera
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera
2011 Lexus CT 200h
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept
2011 Lotus Elise
Lotus Evora Cup
2011 Mazda Mazda5
Mercedes-Benz F800 concept
2011 Mini Countryman
2011 Mitsubishi ASX
Mitsubishi Concept cX
Nissan 370Z Roadster (European debut)
Nissan Global Compact Car
2011 Nissan Juke
2010 Nissan Navara
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
2010 Nissan Qashqai
Opel Amptera
Opel Flextreme GT/E concept
2010 Opel Meriva
2011 Pagani Zonda Tricolore
Peugeot SR1
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept
2011 Porsche Cayenne
Proton Concept Car by Italdesign Giugiaro
2010 Renault Mégane Convertible
2010 Renault Twingo CC
2010 Renault Wind
Rinspeed UC – (electric micro vehicle)
2011 Saab 9-4X
Tata Nano EV
Valmet Eva
2010 Volkswagen CrossPolo
2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
2011 Volkswagen Sharan
2011 Volkswagen Touareg
2011 Volvo S60

Lou Ann Hammond talks to John Batchelor on The John Batchelor show about the vehicles on display at the 2010 Geneva auto show.

The next day, after the auto show, we drove Chevy Sparks up to Gruyeres, Switzerland to the H.R. Giger museum.  Giger is the famous surrealist known for creating the figures in the movie Alien.  Unbeknownst to  anyone Lutz was married to a relative of  Gigers.  Lutz has a few reproductions of Giger’s art, and is a fan of his work.

We were having lunch (Gruyere fondue) at the Chalet de Gruyeres in Gruyeres, Switzerland when Bob told us he was retiring. “They’re announcing it tomorrow, but it won’t be effective till May 1st.” Anyone who knows Bob isn’t surprised that he didn’t wait till the announcement came out. It’s what we love about him.

Tonight, on the John Batchelor radio show, I announced that Bob Lutz will be retiring from General Motors as of May 1st, 2010.