Bob Lutz: Why the Volt will not be delayed?

The Volt is Bob Lutz's defining moment

There has been a soft whisper among some journalists that GM's Bob Lutz was losing his passion for his role at GM. Considering his 75 years of age, that's no surprise. However, Bob Lutz isn't your average 75 year old, in fact, you'd almost swear he's more like 60, not 75.

Anyway, I've believed, since the Chevy Volt debut, that the Volt would be Bob Lutz's defining moment in the auto industry, and that the Volt could keep Mr. Lutz around at GM. At the debut of the Volt at NAIAS, Lutz alluded to such a fact.

Now, Mr. Lutz is officially talking retirement, but he is again confirming that he would like to retire after the Volt launches in 2010. "I'd like to see the Volt launched because I think that is an absolutely critical product," Lutz said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lutz leave GM before 2010, but I hope he sticks around. With his legacy on the line, Lutz might be best guarantee that the Volt won't be delayed, and I think Lutz's legacy is worthy of being defined by a game-changing vehicle like the Volt.