Bob Lutz

Bob Lutz

Bob Lutz's retirement has gone in and out of consideration more times than the Cadillac Converj has received the red light-green light treatment, but this time, it looks like it might be for real. GM confirmed today that Lutz is planning to step down from his role as GM adviser by this May.

At a healthy and often cantankerous 78 years old, Lutz has seen nearly 50 years in the industry, and among his titles he can claim vice president of Ford Motor Company, president of Chrysler, executive vice president of sales at BMW, vice-chairman at General Motors, and his current role as senior adviser to Ed Whitacre, among many others. The reason Lutz is finally--seriously, this time--eyeballing retirement? He feels like he's at a point where he can look back at his career and be satisfied.

“I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete – the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations,” said Lutz.

GM confirmed today that Lutz will retire on May 1. That leaves almost two full months for a reversal, however, and it wouldn't be the first time Lutz jumped the gun on a major announcement, so we'll keep you abreast of the latest as Lutz feels his way toward some long-overdue time off.

[GM]