Bob Lutz

Robert Lutz is currently president and chief executive officer of Lutz Communications. He retired in 2010, as vice chairman of General Motors, following a 47-year career in the global automotive industry that included senior leadership positions at BMW, Ford and Chrysler.  

Lutz served as president and chief operating officer till 1998.  His 12 years with the company are chronicled in his 1998 book, “Guts: The Seven Laws of Business That Made Chrysler the World's Hottest Car Company”.  Also, Lutz recently published “Icons and Idiots: Straight Talk On Leadership” (2013) and “Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business” (2011). 

Lutz was chairman of GM North America from 2001 till 2005.  On 2009 Lutz was named vice chairman and senior advisor providing strategic input into GM’s global design and key product initiatives. Also, Lutz was appointed vice chairman, marketing and communications and vice chairman, specially assigned to advise on design and global product development in GM.   

Lutz serves as chairman of The New Common School Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Via Motor, he is also a member of the board of trustees for the U.S. Marine Corps University Foundation and vice chairman of the board of trustees for the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. He is also a partner in VLF Automotive with Gilbert Villarreal & Henrik Fisker.

Lutz received his bachelor's degree in production management (1961) and a master's degree in marketing, with highest honors (1962) from the University of California-Berkeley.  He received an honorary doctorate of law from Boston University (1985) and honorary degree of doctor of management from Kettering University (2003).

The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Foundation named him the recipient of its 2006 Manufacturing Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the development of the automotive industry.