GM's Bob Lutz: Toyota Has More Clout than GM on Capitol Hill

Washington DC January 10, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that GM's Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz believes Toyota has earned more clout on Capitol Hill than his company, according to a report in The New York Times.

During a discussion on Toyota's ensuing march to No.1, Lutz said it had already happened in the minds of Washington lawmakers. Lutz said on Tuesday that Toyota had "more congressmen and senators" fighting for its interests than G.M., because it had built new factories in a large number of states.

"They outspend us," Lutz said, "and I will tell you today — mind you, today — it is my considered opinion that Toyota has more clout in Washington than we do." He continued..."One of the sad things is, Toyota is so profitable and has plants in so many states that, frankly, they've got more congressmen and senators than General Motors does."

When asked about GM's plans to turnaround its operations and regain lost market share, Lutz said that the company no longer intended to sacrifice profits and damage its vehicles' resale values, and would avoid using incentives to increase sales.

"It's got to be honestly acquired market share. The only way to get market share is to get 25 percent of American citizens, day in, day out, going to General Motors dealerships and saying, 'I want that car.'"