GM also has huge problems of its own, which Lutz acknowledges. But, understandably, he's keener to talk about more positive, product-related developments.
I step out of the latest Corvette and he informs me that I've just been driving the best sports car in the world. A little cheekily, I remind him that he said the very same thing to me a decade or so ago when he was at Chrysler and I climbed out from behind the wheel of his Dodge Viper.
'At the time I said that about Viper, it was a legitimate thing to say, because that car was the best back then. The first generation Viper, for its time, was an excellent car. Personally, I think it has now gone sideways in terms of styling, ride and handling: it follows ruts in the road much too much and it's really a very difficult car to drive now.
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| "Corvettes have lost their open shirt and gold chain image" |
'Corvette is dead easy to drive and has a better power-to-weight ratio. The Z06 version is the absolute killer car. I think it's going to boggle minds when people drive that thing with its aluminium chassis, carbon fibre body panels and all. So yeah, Corvette is a solid hit.'
But in Europe at least, a Corvette is not necessarily the wisest investment because it tends to depreciate in value comparatively heavily, doesn't it Bob?
'That could be the case, although residuals are really a function of how desirable a new car is. And the Z06, for example, is highly desirable. As somebody pointed out, Corvettes have lost their open silk shirt and gold chain image. It's now much more of a legitimate sports car. As long as we can maintain very good demand for the new cars, there should be no problems with residuals."
