http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GMs-Bob-Lutz-to-apf-2965696270.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=994474c2d43a9fbb5b43a23a2e025dd0&ccode=1

May 1st is his last day and he says,

"My work is done here," Lutz wrote from a restaurant in Geneva at the Geneva Motor Show. "The whole organization, top to bottom, now has absolute product superiority as the highest objective which enables all others. So, I can retire in peace."

Also, "He has called the Chevrolet Volt, the gas-electric sedan that can go up to 40 miles on battery-power alone, as his proudest achievement."

He really loved what he did. If he hadn't loved it, he never would have worked till 78. I didn't always agree with what he said but I really respect him nonetheless . Fly on Bob. Burn some jet fuel for me!

Burn some jet fuel for me!

Ha ha. I had to laugh at that. I know I will miss him. I too really enjoy hearing his thoughts and opinions. He is the least tight lipped of the GM executives. What's scary is that he was Whitacre's (a guy who has stated himself he knows nothing about cars or the business) adviser on all things automotive. Hopefully Whitacre can find someone else that knows their way around or else Lutz might have to come back and fix things again.

Retiring on the eve of his proudest achievement. Kind of makes you wonder if there's more to it.

Retiring on the eve of his proudest achievement. Kind of makes you wonder if there's more to it.

Here is another article:

General Motors Co. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz plans to retire on May 1 ending a career in the auto industry that spanned four decades and included executive posts at each of Detroit's Big Three auto makers.

Mr. Lutz's retirement marks the company's latest high-profile departure under Chief Executive Edward E. Whitacre Jr.

Mr. Lutz, 78 years old, was GM's product chief for several years and is widely credited with revamping GM's lackluster vehicle lineup. Most recently he had been serving as an adviser to Mr. Whitacre, a role he assumed in December when Mr. Whitacre took the CEO job and removed Mr. Lutz from his position as head of marketing.

"I can depart with equanimity, because the concept I have been pushing these nine years is 'Only a focus of absolute product superiority will enable the company to reach its other goals,' " Mr. Lutz said in an email. "This has now been integrated into the very fabric of the company, and is the direction set by Ed Whitacre."

Mr. Lutz in February 2009 announced he would retire at the end of that year but opted to remain, a move Mr. Lutz said he made after then-CEO Frederick "Fritz" Henderson asked him to stay and help with the company's turnaround.

The move comes a day after GM announced a shake-up of its North American unit aimed at accelerating the company's revamping.

Before going to GM, Mr. Lutz was a vice president at Ford Motor Co. and president of what is now Chrysler LLC. He is among a shrinking pool of executives who worked under former GM CEO Rick Wagoner, who was ousted by the Obama administration a year ago.

Mr. Lutz, known for his blunt, outspoken style, won praise for creating a more stylish lineup of cars and trucks. Under Mr. Lutz, GM overhauled its approach to vehicle design and became more willing to spend more on quality materials and features that helped the company win numerous plaudits.

"I now truly feel I achieved what I set out to do," he said. "And this ain't exactly 'early retirement,' is it?"

He also sometimes created headaches for GM with commentary on everything from global warming and GM's own shortcomings. Mr. Lutz once described as "damaged" GM's Pontiac and Buick brands. Pontiac has since been eliminated. He also famously referred to global warming as a "crock of —."

Mr. Lutz's role under Mr. Whitacre had become increasingly undefined, people familiar with the situation said. He held less influence with Mr. Whitacre than with Messrs. Henderson and Wagoner, as Mr. Whitacre increasingly surrounded himself with industry outsiders. The former AT&T chief executive recently appointed Stephen Girsky, a GM board member and former industry analyst, to become vice chairman in charge of corporate strategy. He picked Chris Liddell, then Microsoft Corp.'s finance chief, to be chief financial officer.

Mr. Whitacre has prediced GM will become profitable in 2010 and has made clear to his executive ranks that the company is not moving fast enough to bolster sales in the U.S., the key element of his strategy.

On Wednesday, GM appointed a new top spokesman, hiring Selim Bingol, a partner at a major public relations firm who has close ties to Mr. Whitacre. He succeeds J. Christopher Preuss, a GM veteran who had been in the top communications post for less than a year.

He is the least tight lipped of the GM executives. .

The same goes for Barry Goldwater. He was a staunch conservative. I did not agree with almost all of what he said but I respected him also.

I think the most significant thing that Barry said before he died was an answer to the following question.

Question:
Are there any decisions you made while in office that you regret:

Barry said:

Yes. I regret having voted for the dam that covered up Glenn Canyon. (Which created Lake Powell)

What was the problem with creating Lake Powell? It's quite the tourist attraction.

Yes. I regret having voted for the dam that covered up Glenn Canyon. (Which created Lake Powell)

I don't! It makes me love Mr. Goldwater even more! Lake Powell is a national treasure and I can't wait to get back there again. Everyone who loves boating, fishing, solitude and the outdoors needs to go out there at least once in their lives. Here's a shot of me enjoying a slot canyon there with my buddy Tom.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/2342_51901488499_595383499_1460944_3319_n.jpg

Bob Lutz is going to retire, but for how long?

I don't! It makes me love Mr. Goldwater even more! Lake Powell is a national treasure and I can't wait to get back there again. Everyone who loves boating, fishing, solitude and the outdoors needs to go out there at least once in their lives. Here's a shot of me enjoying a slot canyon there with my buddy Tom.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/2342_51901488499_595383499_1460944_3319_n.jpg

I too enjoy Lake Powell. It really is a national treasure.