Celebrated General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz will retire on 1 May, ending a 47-year career in the car industry.
Lutz, 78, has worked at GM, BMW, Chrysler, and Ford. He previously retired from GM last February, but was tempted back following its government-backed restructuring.
Lutz said: “I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete. The team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations.
"Our product line-up is as strong as it has been in GM’s history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality.
"And most importantly, the absolute commitment to being a product-driven company is ingrained throughout the organisation – from the top down – and I am confident that, under Ed Whitacre’s leadership, the straightforward, singular focus on product will endure."
Lutz has long been known as one of the car industry's more colourful characters. Perhaps his most notorious quote occurred in 2008 when he was quoted as describing global warming as “a crock of shit”.
He defended his comments, saying, "My thoughts on what has or hasn't been the cause of climate change have nothing to do with the decisions I make to advance the cause of General Motors."
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