Former Chrysler Corp. Vice Chairman and Excide CEO Bob Lutz Hired By GM

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS reported that General Motors on Thursday said it had hired former Chrysler Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, widely credited with reviving the ailing automaker with great cars and trucks, as head of product development. Lutz, 69, named a vice chairman of GM reporting to Chief Executive Rick Wagoner, will succeed Tom Davis, who will retire in the 2002 first quarter, GM said. Lutz's employment agreement with GM is effective Sept. 1 and runs for three years. Lutz resigned as CEO of battery-maker Exide Technologies on Wednesday, also effective Sept. 1, but will remain as chairman. Exide President Craig Muhlhauser, 52, will succeed Lutz as CEO and has joined Exide's board of directors. The company on Wednesday also changed its name from Exide Corp. Lutz is credited with spearheading such spirited designs as the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler and the very successful Chrysler PT Cruiser.