Yeah. Apparently in a closed-door session with reporters in January, Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman said that “Global Warming is a total crock of poo” (read poo insert other naughty word). Lutz continued to say that hybrid cars, like those made by Toyota, “make no economic sense” because their price will never come down, and that diesel autos like those touted by Chrysler are also uneconomic. Never mind that Toyota forecasts that it is unable to meet the ever-growing demand for it’s flagship Prius in ’08.

Mr. Lutz responded to criticism of his remarks with a post on GM’s FastLaneBlog. I will post some of his remarks here followed by a translation. Now, I am not fluent in BS-ese but I’ll give it my best try.

Jewel #1 - “But among my strongest beliefs is that my job is to do what makes the most business sense for GM”

Trans. - “People that work for GM may actually read this”

Jewel #2 - “And I think that many of the people who’ve been spewing their virtual vitriol in my direction in the past week are guilty of taking the easy way out.”

Trans. - Something akin to “I’m rubber your glue bounce off me and stick to you” or “Whoever smelt it dealt it”

Jewel #3 - “General Motors is dedicated to the removal of cars and trucks from the environmental equation, period. And, believe it or don’t: So am I! It’s the right thing to do, for us, for you and, yes, for the planet.”

Trans. -“I am committed to dragging my feet as the industry moves toward eco-friendly innovations. I don’t understand why these cars are so popular but by george I’ll sell them to you!”

Jewel #4 - “The Chevrolet Volt program is occurring under my personal watch, because I — and others in senior management — believe in it. I fully expect that it will revolutionize the automotive industry, and I’m committed to seeing it successfully developed and in showrooms.”

Trans. - “I believe, along with others in our management, that we can make a fair chunk of change with the Volt and it sure better, we spent a lot of money and effort on it.”

That is coming from the VP involved in Global Product Development. Tough spot, I’d think. struggling with the greatest differentiator in the auto industry right now - alternative energy. You know, that’s fine if that is his opinion. I almost don’t even care if his excitement about the Chevy Volt is purely because he thinks it will fatten his wallet. What I think is too bad is what his remarks along with this one from GM Director Vehicle Emissions Issues Bob Babik tell me about the company -

“The key is offering technology at a cost-effective level so that the consumer values it and makes that choice. This is why in the early years of a certain technology, GM supports government incentives when the technology may be more costly to help consumers make that choice.”

– Read - blah-blah-blah. Hear - we want the government to subsidize any risk that we take as a company. Innovation is evil and scary.

What does this tell me? Don’t look for any real industry-leading innovations from GM. Look for them to be the last company trying to sell gas-powered cars and the first one with lobbyists in your Senators office looking for cash.