Bob Lutz: Still a hybrid bear

Still irrelevant according to Lutz?

Bob Lutz. Love him or hate him, he's one very interesting guy. Over the last few years I've had a chance to meet Lutz a few times, and even though I disagree very much with him on many issues, I still cannot help but like the guy. Moreover, even though I disagree with him, I have total respect for his straight talk.

Still, that doesn't mean that Lutz sticking around at GM is a good thing. Lutz, over the years, has been clear about a few things. For instance, global warming is a joke and the Toyota Prius, and hybrid cars in general, are a pretty stupid idea.

Now that Lutz is largely leading product development at the new GM, his opinions are ever more important. Unfortunately, Lutz recently told CNN that "green car" mania needs to be kept in check, especially now that gas prices are under $3.00 per gallon.

"There's about 5% to 10% of the customer base in the U.S. that desperately wants a hybrid," he said. The rest, he insists, just want the best vehicle they can afford, including gas.

And, to an extent, Lutz is right, at least for now. Yet, this is the same Lutz that terribly underestimated the Toyota Prius. Also, this is the same Lutz that said no one could have foreseen last summer's gas price hike.

Perhaps Lutz is correct. Green cars don't provide a profitable business case for US automakers. Unfortunately, if gas prices rise faster than GM again expects, then GM doesn't make a profitable business case for existing in America.