LOS ANGELES — Robert A. Lutz, the General Motors vice chairman, did his best to wisecrack through his surprise last-minute assignment to fill in as the keynote speaker at the opening of the 2009 LA auto show Wednesday.

Mr. Lutz took over the speech-making duties from Fritz Henderson, who was ousted from his job as G.M.’s chief executive at a board meeting in Detroit a day earlier.

“As you know, I’m kind of a last-minute substitute,” Mr. Lutz said in a deadpan. “You may have read something about it. Like G.M. has been doing very little to fill the newspapers lately.” Continue reading Filling In for Ousted G.M. Chief, Lutz Opens L.A. Auto Show 2009