Lutz Warms to Chrysler 300

General Motors Corp.'s Bob Lutz says he is starting to like the Chrysler 300, the hot rear-drive sedan that's been a solid hit with customers, media and urban America — and the car Lutz openly derided at the time of its launch.

But the always-opinionated head of product development for GM now says he is just glad to see a mid-market sedan from a domestic manufacturer become a hit.

“I wish it was our hit, but I'm just happy to see a domestic sedan successful,” he says. “It is a ray of hope to all domestic manufacturers. It says, do the right thing and you will get the customer back. It's an encouraging sign.”

But Lutz also throws a little cold water on the 300 and Chrysler (his former employer), saying the auto maker “lucked out” with the 300. And he says people shouldn't consider Chrysler the styling leader based on the success of “just one car.”

“The rest of the stuff is not (designed) to the same level,” he says.