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The Colbert Report interviews GM Vice Chairman and global warming skeptic Bob Lutz on the new 2011 Chevy Volt.
Bob Lutz is GM’s Vice Chairman and one of the world’s more high-profile global warming skeptics. Stephen Colbert invites him on the show to talk about the recently unveiled 2011 Chevy Volt. Lutz mentions that one of the options will be a photovoltaic roof panel for recharging the batteries or running the AC, much like the 2009 Toyota Prius. To which Colbert responds, “Can I actually charge this thing by plugging it into the cigarette lighter in my Hummer?”
On the subject of global warming, the two have some light back and forth:
Colbert: Why not just call this the Chevy Gore? You don’t believe global warming is real, you’ve said so.
Lutz: I accept that the planet is heated, but I, like many noted scientists, I don’t believe in the CO2 theory.
Colbert: Exactly! I just think that people are leaving their toaster ovens open. [Or] it’s just sun-spot activity.
Lutz: In the opinon of about 32,000 of the world’s leading scientists, yes.
We have no idea where Lutz gets the 32K figure. We’ve heard about the 400 scientists, which turned out to be 19. What’s so puzzling, however, about Lutz’s position and his citation of supposed scientists is that Big Oil has had these “scientists” on the payroll for the better part of a decade, specifically so they could promote this very skepticism. As we wrote in How to Debate Climate Change, “Most are aware that Big Oil supports disinformation campaigns and that it’s paying scientists to write articles undercutting the broad consensus on climate change.”
The irony is that Lutz and his ilk are buying this Big Oil propaganda. Meanwhile, his company’s cozy relationship with Big Oil has lead them to the verge of bankruptcy, unless American taxpayers come through with a bailout. The supreme irony is that the bailout is to help GM meet efficiency standards that it needs to achieve anyway to stay competitive with foreign automakers. When will they learn?
6 responses so far ↓
1 Bruce McIntire // Sep 18, 2008 at 12:01 am
Thanks for posting the article, was certainly a great read!
2 Wonk Room » Revolting: GM Executive Bob Lutz Denies Global Warming, Trashes His Company’s Car // Sep 18, 2008 at 1:42 pm
[...] depends on escaping the suicidal oil-based economy that has driven the company to the brink. As Max Gladwell writes: The irony is that Lutz and his ilk are buying this Big Oil propaganda. Meanwhile, his [...]
3 Scott Badenoch // Sep 19, 2008 at 12:35 am
Lutz is an idiot and GM should go down in flames. Even a Volt that does what it says can’t plug all the holes in this sinking ship. And good riddance…frees up room for companies that actually innovate. (That said, I still want a free Volt)
32,000 scientists huh…he must mean 32,000 laid off former GM employees or maybe it’s 32,000 former GM customers who are now buying a Toyota or no, it’s 32,000 shareholders who jumped ship at a big loss knowing that it’s only down from here. Lutz puts the L in Loser.
4 Sunshine // Sep 19, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’m no Lutz fan, but he was a good sport and a perfect foil for coming on the Colbert show. This probably helped his image, to be quite honest. I love when Stephen asks if the Volt will get him laid, and Lutz actually plays along! BTW, I want a Volt also. Not a bad looking car.
One of the best Colbert interviews I’ve seen yet.
5 msryat // Mar 9, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I’m no Lutz fan, but he was a good sport and a perfect foil for coming on the Colbert show. This probably helped his image, to be quite honest. I love when Stephen asks if the Volt will get him laid, and Lutz actually plays along! BTW, I want a Volt also. Not a bad looking car.
6 Jesse H // Dec 28, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Im a chevy fan, im a lutz fan…as far a GM going down the tube is because of multiple reasons, one of which is the government and epa regs. asia can build an equal or better car for less or equal money, because of less strict regulations, which means more profits.
all manufacturing companies should be under the same rules world wide to make the playing field equal.
another reason is everyone that isnt supporting domestic vehicles, by buying toyotas and the like are a major factor in the loss of GM jobs, and share losses, and adding to the fact that are economy is in the toilet.
also the toyota tundras, which are built in the states are being built with non union labor, meaning cheaper labor and cheaper benefits. meaning more profits back to japan.
this is for the prius drivers, and im not talking crap on them, iv driven them and they are a nice car…that said, you pay 30 to 35k for this green gas saver, then in less than 10 years the main battery goes bad, now you get to spend 5 to 6k at the dealer to get a new battery, now how green is the battery making process? because you just bought 2 LARGE batteries.
I too want a Chevy Volt, but I dont want it for free, Im a proud American and I earn the things I own. I would be willing to bet that the folks that “want a volt for free” are dems and support this government take over of our most basic right, our health.
and on the global warming issue…there is proof directly from the email of these scientist that they have been “studying” global warming that it is a scam….
common sense people, use it. the hottest year on record was like 1935? so with more cars and factories running now the temp should be noticeably warmer now and climbing, but the temp hasnt changed much in the last decade….
its natural cycles… period.
now that my rant is over, I am for going green…to an extent.
i believe that getting away from using so much petroleum is a good thing….am i going to give up my truck or muscle cars or racecars….NO!
This global warming mumbo jumbo is just a way for the government to regulate and tax use more.
look who is getting rich off of it…..
by the way the tundras get 14mpg on a good day and a silverado of the same vintage will near 20mpg with larger more powerful engine.
so enjoy your toyotas, and enjoys paying more for your import parts to repair your car, as i am paying less for my domestic parts to fix mine.
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