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Roger Smith, former GM chairman and CEO, has died after a brief illness at the age of 82. Smith was named GM chairman and CEO back in 1981 and continued with this title until his retirement - 1990. During his time, GM introduced the first midsize front-wheel-drive autos, formed NUMMI, a collaboration with Toyota to make vehicles in California, created Saturn, acquired Electronic Data Systems and Hughes Aircraft Corp. Roger Smith was credited also for laying the base for the EV1 program.
`Roger Smith led GM during a period of tremendous innovation in the industry` Rick Wagoner 鈥� the GM Chairman and CEO said today. `He was a leader who knew that we have to accept change, understand change, and learn to make it work for us. Roger was truly a pioneer in the fast moving global industry that we now take for granted`.
Smith died before Barbara, his wife 鈥� 53 years; four children: Drew J. Smith, Jennifer A. Ponski, Roger B. Smith Jr., and Victoria B. Sawula; and six grandchildren.
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