Bob Lutz

[ferraritoviper]

Interesting article on him and his retirement, in the Automible section pg. 2, of this Sundays NY Times. Viper is mentioned in a few places, but his most interesting quote is "The Viper never made the company a nickel, but it was a crucial statement for Chrysler". Not a postitve statement for its future imo.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Actually quite positive in light of Mr. Lutz's respect in the Industry. I think most of us read that to mean how important the Viper is to the image and aspirations of many Chrysler owners.

Not a big surprise that the Viper wasn't making a bunch of money, it's impact is much greater when viewed as a whole. Ask folks on this board what the first MoPar they ever owned was and many will say a Viper. The more important item is how many began buying a boatload of Chrysler machines after the purchase of their Snake ------ I am amazed at how many folks have shed themselves of all other makes and drive nothing but MoPar now, and it all started with a little V10 torque and fun!

 

[ferraritoviper]

Point well taken Bill, but in light of the serious financial position Chrysler is in today, and the overall economy, etc., etc.,....well, I hope you are right.

 

[Alabaster Mamba]

Absolutely Bill is right! If it weren't for the Viper I would probably have never even owned a Chrysler. Now I am pretty much positive that my next vehicle purchase will be something from the great folks at SRT. If there was ever a halo car that made you look at anything else in the showroom, it is truly the Dodge Viper. I was explaining to a fellow worker that the Viper is the only car that still to this day makes me look and say ewww and ahhh.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Realize that the article was more of a commentary than anything else, and certainly a good one at that. However some of the facts are not necessarily correct, including the Viper's profitability. Rest assured that there is a good business case for the Viper, but that doesn't guarantee its continuance. Fingers crossed!

People - Less Drama in Detroit as Lutz Leaves the Stage - NYTimes.com