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Bob Lutz moves to
Senior Advisor Role; Will Retire at End of 2009
Tom Stephens
Becomes Vice Chairman – Global Product Development
Feb.
9, 2009
 DETROIT
– GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner today announced that Robert A. Lutz, GM
Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, will transition to a new role
effective April 1, 2009 as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor. Lutz, 76, will provide strategic input into GM’s global
design and key product initiatives until his retirement at the end of 2009. He
will continue to report to Wagoner.
Wagoner also announced that
effective April 1, 2009 the GM Board of Directors elected Thomas G. Stephens,
Vice Chairman – Global Product Development, reporting to President and Chief
Operating Officer Fritz Henderson. Stephens,
60, is currently Executive Vice President, Global Powertrain and Global
Quality. In this new assignment, Stephens will maintain his
responsibility for overseeing GM’s global quality activity.
Concurrent with this
appointment, GM is restructuring its global powertrain group to integrate
powertrain functional activities into their respective global GM functions.
Accordingly, in his new role, Stephens will have responsibility for
global powertrain engineering, in addition to global design, product
engineering, product planning and program management.
Powertrain manufacturing will report to Gary Cowger, Group Vice
President of GM Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations.
Other staffs that support the GM Powertrain organization will be
integrated into their respective global functions.
These moves represent another important step in GM’s restructuring
initiative to create a leaner, more efficient organization.
“Bob
Lutz was already a legendary automotive product guy when he rejoined GM in
2001,” Wagoner said, “and he’s added to that by leading the creation of a
string of award-winning vehicles for GM during his time here.
His 46 years of experience in the global automotive business have been
invaluable to us. I’ve
personally learned a great deal from Bob and have very much enjoyed the time
we’ve worked together,” Wagoner added.
“I’m looking forward to Bob’s continued contributions to GM for
the remainder of 2009 – and I know the impact of his efforts leading GM
global product development will continue for years to come.
“Tom
Stephens is the perfect guy to take the reins of GM’s global product
development,” Wagoner continued. “He’s
had extensive experience in virtually every aspect of our global product
development activities. With his 40 years at GM, Tom has an extraordinary
understanding of our products and our organization, and is highly respected
worldwide. I’m confident that with Tom’s passion for great products
and vast knowledge of advanced propulsion, he will continue to raise the bar in
executing outstanding GM cars and trucks.
Vette Vues Magazine, P.O. Box 740598, Orange City, FL 32774
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