GM product chief Bob Lutz to retire

GM boss Bob Lutz Retires By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 09 February 2009 17:41 GM boss Bob Lutz will retire at the end of the year. The vice chairman of global product development – who has been at the centre of the automotive industry for the last 46 years – will be replaced by Tom Stephens, GM’s current veepee for global powertrain and global quality. Lutz, 76, will continue to report to GM boss Rick Wagoner throughout 2009 in his new role as GM vice chairman and senior advisor, before bowing out at the end of December.

Drivers walk to avoid parking fees

DRIVERS are voting with their feet over parking charges, with most prepared to walk so they do not have to pay. On average, drivers are willing to walk up to half a mile to dodge parking charges, a survey from market research company Viewsbank found. A fifth of motorists were prepared to walk a mile or more rather than pay up, with only 11% saying they would rather pay than walk, the poll of 2,053 drivers revealed.

Audi A1 subcompact teaser

Audi has released a teaser shot of a new premium subcompact, the A1, which will be revealed at the Geneva auto show in March. The shot is a graffiti-style teaser and reveals very little. Still, it appears to be a fairly bold design, with a prominent front end, short front overhang and large wheel wells.