Bob Lutz is having an influence. He is trying to make the Malibu the new "hot" car to compete with the Japanese and German offerings instead of the plain vanilla rental that is just an afterthought for buyers.
Some quotes from the article: -------------- Say "Chevy Malibu," and some Americans think of a 1960s muscle car. Unfortunately for General Motors Corp., many more think, "rent-a-car." -------------- GM's Vice Chairman for product development Robert Lutz says the new Malibu's more refined looks, improved ride and quieter interior are a milestone in the company's multiyear effort to upgrade the look and feel of its sedans and coupes. Now Chevy is going for a more international feel -- a European look with an inside that borrows from 1960s American style. "It's a poster boy for what we are trying to do," says Mr. Lutz, who joined GM in 2001 with a mandate to lead a revitalization of its vehicle design. -------------- On the outside, the 2008 Malibu looks German, with an exterior profile and proportions similar to a Volkswagen Passat. -------------- The interior is a more dramatic departure. The dashboard has a "dual cockpit" look. "It's almost a direct lift from the '58-59 Corvette interiors," says Mr. Lutz. John Mack, who led the Malibu's interior design team, says most versions will come with two-tone interiors, such as "cocoa and cashmere." -------------- By selling better looking cars -- without "gray rat's fur upholstery and dark gray plastic parts" -- renting a GM car "becomes a national demonstration program where people actually pay to drive a GM car, and they say, 'Holy smokes, it's fabulous.'" -------------- Article http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07002/750669-185.stm Pictures http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-chevy-malibu-1/ Brad Waller ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) '66 Corvette | 327/dead | 4-speed | Wilwood Brakes | 245/45/16 BFG R1 '67 Chevelle | ex-SS396 | 355/700R4 | F-Body Brakes | 275/40/17 Kumho MX
