GM Vice Chairman Calls Global Warming A "Total Crock of S**t"

Then why the push to develop the Chevy Volt?
Lutz and the Chevy Volt: Unveiled at last year's Detroit Auto Show

Here’s an odd PR move making the blog rounds today: Bob Lutz, the General Motors Vice Chairman who’s driving the charge to build the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, was recently quoted in D Magazine calling global warming a “crock of s**t.” (Actually, the writer for D heard these comments in a “closed door session with several journalists,” which makes me wonder whether this whole thing was supposed to be off the record.)

Anyhow, this doesn’t mean that GM isn’t serious about building the Volt, of course—just that global warming isn’t the reason. And that’s fine. GM doesn’t have to have noble intentions as long as it delivers the fuel-efficient cars it’s been promising. According to D, Lutz says he’s excited about the Volt because “it’s the last thing anybody expected from GM.” But you have to wonder how statements like this affect public perception of the Volt project. Because right now, if you ask a car geek about the Chevy Volt you’ll get one of two responses. The most predictable: “Total vaporware, it’ll never happen.” A cautiously optimistic few, however, will admit that General Motors really does seem serious about building the Volt. After all, they’ve staked the reputation of the company (which lost $38.7 billion dollars last year) on their ability to start producing this extended-range electric car by the end of 2010.

And again: It doesn’t matter why GM wants to build the Volt as long as they actually build the thing. But it would be a shame for GM if Lutz’s comment sent some of the optimists back to the Volt-is-vaporware camp.

D Magazine via Jalopnik

42 Comments

Comments

menar003
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Thank god someone has the courage to say what a lot of people will not.

8 out of 18 people found this comment helpful
jaydanie
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he just said what everybody else is thinking. however, i think the comment leaves out the part, "as far we are concerned" in our lifetime that is.

2 out of 9 people found this comment helpful
Conro
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everyone no's that global warming is real. co2 levels have dramatically increased since the industrial revolution. we know that co2 increases temperature: just look at venus. how can you say that global warming isn't real?

3 out of 12 people found this comment helpful
geisemann
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Oh this is silly,

GM is really trying to help the environment.

People should not be listening behind doors anyways. What Lutz is most likely saying what a Bunch of Bull crap Toyota is when they have the Prius Plant that causes so much Green house emissions that driving a old hummer is better for the environment.

This is a true story when they researched where the Prius came from.

Basically I support Lutz what ever he said was out of context I am sure listening though a door. This article is made to make a good US company look bad.

The only thing green about Toyota is US money going to Japan.

Lutz knows global warming is real we all do we just need to start doing more.

What is BS is thinking cars are the only problem. Cars do not create as much harmful emissions as farms and cows.

So BOB might be right where he says its BS that cars are the only cause.

3 out of 9 people found this comment helpful
bambam
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Like everyone else involve in this issue, where billions of dollars are involve. we wish we never knew about global warming. But we have and yes I too have those bad days. but this will not stop company's from researching and moving forward because we plan too. every1 hates global warming, its too hard to decide. Hybrid is a good step and it provides the future research for electric cars. Electric cars are great but who will be the first in mass production and will it survive. Will GM get it right?, a lot of people out there think it would not even be made and if it is, it would seriously be delayed. ignore the concept s and wait for the real one when you decide. Hybrid now but not standard diesel. Good luck for GM, I'll be waiting 4 final product.

0 out of 2 people found this comment helpful
sweet-vince
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well he had the balls to say it, because he has nothing to worry about but im 18 and i do care. it would be cool if he acually went through with the volt, but global warming is real and we cant just ignore it.

0 out of 3 people found this comment helpful
backtalker
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Why in the name of all that's holy should we believe anything spewing from this guy's trap?

After all, his company lost $38.7 BILLION last year.

His company is the total crock of sh*t.

3 out of 8 people found this comment helpful
elliskevin
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I agree Lutz, the whole global warming thing IS a bunch of crock.

If people actually did some real research with look at scientific journals they will find tons of facts agianst global warming. A good book that has already collected a few of these journals is called "State of Fear". I know it's fiction but I researched some of his sources and their all valid and say the same thing he says.

We need alternative rescources like the Volt to help us off our dependency on foreign oil.

3 out of 6 people found this comment helpful
your_pal_bob
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Mr. Lutz seems to be much more concerned about dependence on foreign oil than the latest cause célèbre. If we take him at face value, it's hard to argue that global warming exists. If we take him to mean that global warming HYSTERIA is a crock, then I'm right there with him.

- bob

2 out of 4 people found this comment helpful
your_pal_bob
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Oops. I wrote "If we take him at face value, it's hard to argue that global warming exists." which should've said "If we take him at face value, it's hard to argue that global warming does not exist."

Gotta remember to hit the preview button. Sorry guys.

- bob

0 out of 3 people found this comment helpful
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