Will Bob Lutz Return To GM?

DETROIT (WWJ) There are multiple reports that General Motors may be considering bringing retired Vice Chairman Bob Lutz back as a paid consultant.

The company isn't commenting, and has downplayed the reports as speculation.  But General Motors has recently made a number of changes in its product development department as it seeks to get past an upcoming "dry period"  in new products brought on by cuts during the company's 2009 bankruptcy.

Product development was Lutz's key role at General Motors.  He was credited with revitalizing a stale line-up, and had a hand in GM's current vehicle lineups, which includes a number of successes, including the Buick Lacrosse and Chevy Equinox.

Lutz is 79, and is in good health.  He currently serves on the board of Lotus, and is a contributor to the cable network CNBC.  He recently appeared at November's roll-out of the Chevy Volt at GM's Detroit-Hamtramk plant.  He was also seen at the auto shows in Detroit and Los Angeles.

The possible return of Bob Lutz was first reported by long time automotive journalist Doron Levin, in the online publication "The Daily Beast."  It was quickly reported by a number of other media outlets, including WWJ.

Lutz has spent time at a number of major automakers, including all three of the Detroit based domestic auto companies.

The former auto exec also about to publish a new book, most of which was written after his spring 2010 retirement from General Motors.