If only Bob Lutz were 40 years younger, the American automotive industry would be a better place. Lutz, the former auto industry executive that served at Chrysler, Ford, and GM was on Autoline Detroit to promote his new book Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business.

Perhaps his best line was one that revolved around “whiskey flavored gum,” just further proof that Lutz could genuinely care less what others in industry think of this at this point in his career. Lutz had no issues into insight into the high-level decision making at GM and revealed the following interesting tidbits:

• All Chevrolet vehicles were required to have five-spoke aluminum wheels and a chrome band up front, as part of the Bowtie brand’s overall image.
• Pontiac was required to utilize “see-through” headrests, despite the fact that they cost more to produce while offering no consumer value.
• All Buicks required a sweep spear in the exterior design language.
• Cadillac considered building a 550-horsepower supercharged Escalade.
• Many of the non-car person GM board members preferred to drive imports.

While at General Motors, it was Lutz that was behind the import of the Australian Holden Monaro as the Pontiac GTO. Other cars such as the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice; Pontiac G8, Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave; and the red hot new Camaro were also campaigns that Lutz was apart of. Lutz does believe that the electrification of automobiles is inevitable in the future, and backed the created of the Chevy Volt.