The 2010 LA Auto Show
by Dominic Masut, Editor at large (Discovered Media & Publications)
Published: December 03, 2009
The 2010 LA Auto Show was an entertaining this year as it was interesting… if not inspirational.
It had drama, it had comedy, and everything a Hollywood movie about the auto industry might have.
Bob Lutz doing his Cary Grant pose at the LA Auto Show
GM
To start off, our boys at GM were not about to be upstaged by any measure when in the 11th hour they changed the 'batting order' at the home office, which also by default changed the Keynote speaker at this year’s 2010 LA Auto Show.
In seamless motion, as Mr. Fritz Henderson ‘resigned’ as GM’s CEO, they brought out of ‘retirement’ Vice Chairman Robert “Bob"... A. Lutz (Global Warming is "a total crock of s***."...Lutz) stepped into to save the day as Marines love to do... Bob is no exception.
While some were surprised to see him back... I wasn't. Because US Marines don’t die …or retire… they should know better than that!
Bob Lutz who, as a female journalist colleague also attending the show, told me she thinks he looks like Cary Grant.
However, in my opinion, I think he is more like Gene Kelly preparing to do "Singing in the Rain", as he takes GMC through the rainy global economy and sings his way to GM's rebirth in the auto industry.
First, those of you that do not know Mr. Lutz, might at first guess think the above comment was to be expected from an old crony of the U.S. Car or Gas industries. But you would be so wrong. Bob Lutz got a bad wrap on that statement, since like most media bytes, the whole story wasn’t addressed accurately.
With a little effort, research, Google and Wikipedia surfing you can drill down to the details realizing Bob Lutz is not only ‘not incorrect’, but might yet still have his day. While some might consider this former U.S. Marine Aviator’s ‘pure in motive, direct in action’ attitude a little too much for the timid, he is just what GM, America and the Global car industry needs.
I know, you think I’ve gone to the dark side. Let me continue…
Mr. Lutz’s statement came on the basis of the sources and information by which global warming was initially addressed was not confirmed or verified (and there is still great debate on both sides of the scientific community), it lacked credibility because of the fact that it was blamed solely on humans…and as the s*** rolls uphill in the world of global media… the large corporations get it first.
What most failed to realize as Mr. Lutz does, was not only was the accusations mostly unfounded, they were missing two key factors. First that a larger cause of global warming may actually be due to nature and earth’s normal cyclical process and GM and companies were already on the bandwagon to finding better efficiency in reducing emissions as well as alternative energy vehicles.
But as many things going on in America’s ability to ‘miss the point’ in a message, the truth is too much to take especially if we can’t blame a big faceless corporation or government.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and this case no different. Slowly as the scientific community is seemingly gradually 'warming up' to the idea (based on new scientific facts) that while pollution and human’s carbon footprint is still a challenge we must do something about today for a better future, global warming, earth’s axis tilt and temperature shifting might be well beyond our ability to do anything about.
So what do we do? Mr. Lutz would tell you like any Marine, improvise. Which in hindsight and forward looking is the right answer. GM seems to be well under the way of doing that with one of the largest fleets of new car models utilizing alternative energy, lower emission and higher MPG technologies to meet and face these challenges. In fact, not only are the on track with these challenges, they are unsurpassed (as of today’s writing) by any of their main competitors.
What the GM companies do seem to be still struggling with is overcoming the last media fiasco over the whole U.S. Auto industries financial bailout. (Even though GM has already paid back a significant portion of it and are on track to pay the rest back) They also seem to still be suffering from an old school marketing machine that still is selling to a much-removed audience. Something we cannot blame Mr. Lutz for either, since he is the man that brought us both the Dodge Viper and pushed for GM’s Hybrid technologies.
Where does that leave GM? Provided they start thinking more as a ‘global car company’, instead of a U.S. company gone global and reposition their image and marketing to reflect that they have a very bright future to quickly be back in the No. 1 position.
GM Chairman Edward Whitacre seems to know this and would do well to have Bob Lutz’s not only head up GM Global Product Development, but have a more hands on approach to marketing as well. Any man that understands a world where the Dodge Viper and Hybrid cars can happily co-exist can’t be all bad.
Bob gets it. Bob also knows there is money in doing good and going green.
GO GET 'EM BOB!
Can I put my order in early for the 2030 Hydrogen Fuel Dodge Viper 0-250mph in 3.5 seconds?
Who knows...anythings possible.
AUDI A3 TDI NAMED 2010 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR®
Audi does it again, the combination of comfort, luxury, sport driving experience in a DIESEL made this an obvious leader and the Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year®.
The clean diesel from Audi peaked top in an impressive field of hybrids and advanced diesel models that included Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and VW Golf TDI, Audi's A3 reigned supreme this year.
Audi’s clean diesel, quiet engine delivers loads of low-end torque and a fun-to-drive experience, all with the functionality of a 5-passenger hatchback luxury car.
With a Suggested MSRP of $29,950 and EPA estimated 42MPG/Highway sales should do well in 2010.
Los Angeles Auto Show Names
NISSAN V2G as the Youthmobile 2030 Design Challenge Winner
This year's theme, Youthmobile 2030, asked automotive design studios to envision what a new generation of drivers - raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams - will demand from their vehicles in the year 2030. (It looks nothing like a Hydrogen Fuel 2030 Dodge Viper 0-250mph in 3.5 seconds) But then again, as a youth, I couldn't have afforded a Dodge Viper.
For more information about the 2010 LA Auto Show Event and exhibitors go to: http://www.laautoshow.com