Robert Lutz
Robert Lutz
Robert Anthony "Bob" Lutzis a Swiss American automotive executive...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth12 February 1932
CountryUnited States of America
absolutely believe gonna refuse work
We just absolutely refuse to believe that there's going to be a strike. We're gonna work our way through it.
auto flat industry matter owns people
People who think it doesn't matter who owns our auto industry are flat wrong.
badge design global single
We now have one, single global design and engineering budget. We've put an end to badge engineering.
decided easy problem rocket
The problem was right there before us all along. It was so easy to see, once we decided to look. It's not rocket science.
afford bad cares nobody people price view whether
There used to be a view expressed: 'Hey, let's just make these cars. Nobody cares about them. Nobody cares whether they are bad or good. It's for the people who can't afford anything better, and price is the only thing that counts.'
assume realistic segment taking
It's realistic to assume the segment won't grow, but we will be taking share.
That is the way we are going to do things from now on. It just makes more sense. Why we did not do that before? What can I say? We were stupid. We're much smarter, now.
highly might mistake unlikely
You might say it is highly unlikely that we would make the same mistake twice.
assume realistic segment
It is realistic to assume the segment won't grow.
buy people
People are still going to buy full-sized sport-utilities at $3 a gallon. But even at $3 a gallon, it's 750,000 people a year. It's not going to go to a million,
focus great lose money rather reputation
We would much rather focus on quality. We would much rather have a great reputation at 25% then try to get 28% or 29% and lose a lot of money doing it.
analyzed bland great integrity link loyal reason reputation sales service
We analyzed the reason for where we were with the brand: great dealers, loyal customers, bland products. So we told ourselves: Why not link the reputation for service and sales integrity to existing, world-class products?
commodity industry stopped
I think the American industry has stopped considering (small cars) as commodity vehicles,
european fuel gallon levels market per prices result stays
Fuel prices would have to go to European levels for that to happen. If it stays (in the $3 to $4 per gallon range) it will result in some market shift. It has to.