Lutz gives Colbert a Volt in return for a jolt
Bob Lutz is a smooth talker. Trust us, we've seen it time and time again as he's been working on making the Chevy Volt a reality. Still, Stephen Colbert can fluster pretty much anyone, including GM's Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, and it's a lot of fun to watch. Lutz was on the Comedy Central's satirical comedy show The Colbert Report last night and had to pause a few times when the faux right-wing Colbert asked him surprising questions. For example, isn't the Volt just an admission that global warming is real and why he didn't call the car the Chevy Gore. When Colbert asked Lutz if the Volt will get him laid, Lutz's answer is that the woman he'll attract will be the very nice, no-makeup types. Also, in case you were wondering, you could charge the Volt off of the outlet in a Hummer. Just so you know. OK, I won't spoil too much more; check out the video after the jump. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
[Source: Comedy Central]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike!!ekiM 11:11PM (9/18/2008)
Lutz gets his info from right-wing-wacko radio:
http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/09/18/revolting-bob-lutz/
Is he qualified to run any business?
What's next, is the world still round?
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Sidewinder 10:37PM (9/18/2008)
Heh - all the Volt hype notwithstanding (and I hope the car is very successful) it is clear that Maximum Bob is still part of the old GM & pines for the return of bigger, fatter, sloppier SUVs
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Don 11:12PM (9/18/2008)
You've got that right! This small car business is too hectic for Maximum Bob!
Don 11:03PM (9/18/2008)
Geeze, was he ever stiff. Time to go, Lutz!
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Andrew 11:19PM (9/18/2008)
ABG did you forget to mention that Lutz just said their WOULD be a Photovoltaic Roof Option!!! This is new news, right?
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JOEBUSH 11:22PM (9/18/2008)
Some of the auto manufacturing companies are just now jumping on the bandwagon are just in it for the MONEY!!!!! Where were they when Toyota and Honda were developing Hybrid cars for NEGATIVE PROFIT?
I live in Portland OR and a local dealer I buy from is a true maverick in the industry:
http://www.dickhannah.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.green
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Rojo 10:34AM (9/19/2008)
Hey there, just a couple points for you:
Ever hear of a car called the EV1? Yeah, GM lost a ton of money on it.
Do you know what corporations do? Make money for their stockholders by making products that people will buy. Shockingly, the Volt will be in high demand!
Have a nice day!
Mike!!ekiM 11:45PM (9/18/2008)
This guy really thinks he's got reputable data on climate change: http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=859964433
He even cites MIT, and that's funny because this is what MIT teaches:
http://web.mit.edu/cgcs/www/
These old geezer's are scary.
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Jeff R 3:28AM (9/19/2008)
It's not Lutz, a lot of guests look stiff on this show. I guess it must be hard to be interviewed by a fictional character. I've seen other interviews where Lutz seems more genuinely excited about the Volt. But it is interesting that he seems to view it primarily as a price of gas equation, not as a price of the earth equation. Oh well. I guess I should be happy the car will sell even to people who don't care/don't believe the planet is going to hell in a handbasket...
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Perry 12:35PM (9/19/2008)
I would be scared to death to go on colberts show. I am suprised that Lutz even did it. Maybe he should have watched the show before going on it.
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TomWilkinsonatGM 8:54AM (9/19/2008)
A couple of thoughts:
First, as regular viewers know, Colbert can tie almost anyone in knots.
Second, as those who follow this issue know, Bob is a huge fan of the Volt, and he has been one of the strongest backers of the Volt since day one.
Actions matter, and GM is making a huge push in advanced propulsion at a very tough time for the business.
So please lighten up and give Bob a break.
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CanaDoc 11:41AM (9/19/2008)
For us Canadians ABGer's: (the interview starts after a 20 sec commercial)
http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/the-colbert-report/interviews-a-z/interviews-l/#clip94007
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Andy 7:53PM (9/19/2008)
I wonder if good ol' Bob is speaking from personal experience?
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