General Motors Corp. (GM) said Monday that its Vice Chairman for Global Product Development Robert Lutz will retire at the end of this year.
Lutz, 76, will transition to a new role effective April 1, as vice chairman and senior adviser, providing input into GM's global design and key product initiatives until his retirement at the end of 2009, the Detroit, Michigan-based automaker said in a statement. GM appointed Thomas Stephens, its Executive Vice President of Global Powertrain and Quality, to succeed Lutz as Vice Chairman for Global Product Development.
In his new role, Stephens, a 40-year GM veteran, will continue to oversee GM's global quality activity and powertrain engineering, in addition to global design, product engineering, product planning and program management.
However, Powertrain manufacturing will report to Gary Cowger, Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations. Other staffs that support the Powertrain organization will be integrated into their respective global functions.
A 46-year industry veteran, Lutz was instrumental in revamping GM's product line and spearheading its efforts to roll out the Chevrolet Volt electric car. Some analysts believe the biggest achievement of Lutz's career at GM is the revamp of Chevrolet Malibu.
A former U.S. Marine fighter pilot, Lutz began his automotive career in 1963 at GM, where he held a variety of senior positions in Europe until December 1971. For the next three years, he served as executive vice president of sales at BMW in Munich.
Lutz also spent 12 years each at Ford Motor Co. (F) and the former Chrysler Corp. At Ford, his last position was executive vice president of truck operations. From 1982 to 1986, Lutz also served on the board of director of Ford. During his 12-year stint at Chrysler from 1986 to 1998, Lutz oversaw Chrysler's car and truck operations worldwide before reaching the position of vice chairman.
Before rejoiing GM as vice chairman in September 2001, Lutz was chairman and chief executive officer of battery maker Exide Technologies (XIDE). He served as chairman of Exide until his resignation on May 17, 2002, and as a member of its board until May 5, 2004.
Stephens began his career with GM in 1969 as an hourly employee. Going up in the ladder, Stephens was named director of engineering for GM Engine Division on 1990. He became director of engine engineering for GM Powertrain in December 1991, when the division was formed. He was appointed engineering operations general manager for GM Powertrain Group in Pontiac, Michigan, in July 1993. In March 1994, he was elected a GM vice president. Stephens became GM executive vice president in March 2008.
Lutz's retirement move comes at a time when GM is intensely trying to restructure its operations, including job cuts, ahead of a February 17 deadline to submit the US government its plans of long-term commercial viability, including business restructuring, return to profit and loan repayment. GM has been pledged $13.4 billion of loans from the U.S. Treasury as it works to restructure amid a sharp decline in vehicle sales and a recession.
GM shares are currently trading at $2.87, up 3 cents or 1.01%.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.