Σορρυ για τα Αγγλικα. Σιγουρα οι περισσοτεροι δεν εχετε προβλημα.

By Dave Guilford
Automotive News / January 15, 2003

Bob Lutz
Vice chairman for product development for General Motors
Thesis: Creative design, powertrain improvements and consumer-relevant technology can usher in a new 'Golden Age' for the industry.

The automobile industry could be on the verge of a new 'Golden Age,' according to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz - but it probably won't be led by the Cadillac 16.

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Lutz said the striking concept vehicle that debuted at the Detroit auto show would be 'a very difficult vehicle to execute.'

But, he added, Cadillac likely will have a large car at about 'eight-tenths scale' of the 223-inch-long 16, which is powered by a 1,000-horsepower V-16 engine. The 16's design themes probably will show up in that vehicle, Lutz said.

It is the second consecutive year that Cadillac has shown a concept car which, if built, would sell in the $100,000-plus category. Last year, Cadillac marked its centennial with the Cien roadster, powered by a concept V-12 engine that has since been approved for production.

'The probability in coming years of seeing something like the 16 with that character, that grandeur and, yes, that price, is pretty high,' he said.

But it would take several years to develop such a car, Lutz said.

In his speech, Lutz listed four guidelines the industry could follow to reach a new golden age of excellent products and consumer enthusiasm:

'The world is what it is: Deal with it.'

Lutz said companies must remain calm while dealing with change and difficult market conditions. 'Companies with common sense of purpose will be able to swiftly adapt to all sorts of market conditions, and those that cannot, will suffer because of it.'

'Like humans, all companies are different - do what's best for your particular situation.'

Each company must find its own success formula, based on its own strengths, markets and culture, he said. 'We all have a tremendous opportunity to build the best vehicles that have ever been built. And part of the reason why is these diverging product philosophies that result from the diverse, creative talent pool at our collective disposal.'

'The love affair with the automobile is not dead … but maybe we just forgot how to do it!'

Resurgent automotive design, powertrain innovation and advanced technology, such as hybrid vehicles and cylinder deactivation, will win back customers' affection, Lutz said. 'The automobile is still the most emotional product on the market today.'

'17 million buyers can't be wrong.'

Four years of 17-million total U.S. vehicle sales show that buyers still crave cars.

'The demand and attraction still exist,' Lutz said. 'If the passion part of the equation has stagnated a bit, well, that's going to change.'

Σορρυ για τα Αγγλικα. Σιγουρα οι περισσοτεροι δεν εχετε προβλημα.

By Dave Guilford
Automotive News / January 15, 2003

Bob Lutz
Vice chairman for product development for General Motors
Thesis: Creative design, powertrain improvements and consumer-relevant technology can usher in a new 'Golden Age' for the industry.

The automobile industry could be on the verge of a new 'Golden Age,' according to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz - but it probably won't be led by the Cadillac 16.

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Lutz said the striking concept vehicle that debuted at the Detroit auto show would be 'a very difficult vehicle to execute.'

But, he added, Cadillac likely will have a large car at about 'eight-tenths scale' of the 223-inch-long 16, which is powered by a 1,000-horsepower V-16 engine. The 16's design themes probably will show up in that vehicle, Lutz said.

It is the second consecutive year that Cadillac has shown a concept car which, if built, would sell in the $100,000-plus category. Last year, Cadillac marked its centennial with the Cien roadster, powered by a concept V-12 engine that has since been approved for production.

'The probability in coming years of seeing something like the 16 with that character, that grandeur and, yes, that price, is pretty high,' he said.

But it would take several years to develop such a car, Lutz said.

In his speech, Lutz listed four guidelines the industry could follow to reach a new golden age of excellent products and consumer enthusiasm:

'The world is what it is: Deal with it.'

Lutz said companies must remain calm while dealing with change and difficult market conditions. 'Companies with common sense of purpose will be able to swiftly adapt to all sorts of market conditions, and those that cannot, will suffer because of it.'

'Like humans, all companies are different - do what's best for your particular situation.'

Each company must find its own success formula, based on its own strengths, markets and culture, he said. 'We all have a tremendous opportunity to build the best vehicles that have ever been built. And part of the reason why is these diverging product philosophies that result from the diverse, creative talent pool at our collective disposal.'

'The love affair with the automobile is not dead … but maybe we just forgot how to do it!'

Resurgent automotive design, powertrain innovation and advanced technology, such as hybrid vehicles and cylinder deactivation, will win back customers' affection, Lutz said. 'The automobile is still the most emotional product on the market today.'

'17 million buyers can't be wrong.'

Four years of 17-million total U.S. vehicle sales show that buyers still crave cars.

'The demand and attraction still exist,' Lutz said. 'If the passion part of the equation has stagnated a bit, well, that's going to change.'

Σορρυ για τα Αγγλικα. Σιγουρα οι περισσοτεροι δεν εχετε προβλημα.

By Dave Guilford
Automotive News / January 15, 2003

Bob Lutz
Vice chairman for product development for General Motors
Thesis: Creative design, powertrain improvements and consumer-relevant technology can usher in a new 'Golden Age' for the industry.

The automobile industry could be on the verge of a new 'Golden Age,' according to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz - but it probably won't be led by the Cadillac 16.

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Lutz said the striking concept vehicle that debuted at the Detroit auto show would be 'a very difficult vehicle to execute.'

But, he added, Cadillac likely will have a large car at about 'eight-tenths scale' of the 223-inch-long 16, which is powered by a 1,000-horsepower V-16 engine. The 16's design themes probably will show up in that vehicle, Lutz said.

It is the second consecutive year that Cadillac has shown a concept car which, if built, would sell in the $100,000-plus category. Last year, Cadillac marked its centennial with the Cien roadster, powered by a concept V-12 engine that has since been approved for production.

'The probability in coming years of seeing something like the 16 with that character, that grandeur and, yes, that price, is pretty high,' he said.

But it would take several years to develop such a car, Lutz said.

In his speech, Lutz listed four guidelines the industry could follow to reach a new golden age of excellent products and consumer enthusiasm:

'The world is what it is: Deal with it.'

Lutz said companies must remain calm while dealing with change and difficult market conditions. 'Companies with common sense of purpose will be able to swiftly adapt to all sorts of market conditions, and those that cannot, will suffer because of it.'

'Like humans, all companies are different - do what's best for your particular situation.'

Each company must find its own success formula, based on its own strengths, markets and culture, he said. 'We all have a tremendous opportunity to build the best vehicles that have ever been built. And part of the reason why is these diverging product philosophies that result from the diverse, creative talent pool at our collective disposal.'

'The love affair with the automobile is not dead … but maybe we just forgot how to do it!'

Resurgent automotive design, powertrain innovation and advanced technology, such as hybrid vehicles and cylinder deactivation, will win back customers' affection, Lutz said. 'The automobile is still the most emotional product on the market today.'

'17 million buyers can't be wrong.'

Four years of 17-million total U.S. vehicle sales show that buyers still crave cars.

'The demand and attraction still exist,' Lutz said. 'If the passion part of the equation has stagnated a bit, well, that's going to change.'