Roger Smith (executive)

Roger Smith (1925-2007) was an American businessman and executive who served as the chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM) from 1981 to 1990. His tenure was marked by significant, and often controversial, efforts to modernize and restructure the automotive giant in the face of increasing competition from Japanese automakers.

Smith joined GM in 1949 as a general accounting clerk. He rose through the ranks, holding various financial and executive positions before being appointed chairman. During his time as CEO, he implemented large-scale automation and robotics programs, including the ill-fated "Factory of the Future." These initiatives aimed to reduce labor costs and improve efficiency, but often resulted in production difficulties and workforce displacement.

Other notable events during Smith's leadership included the acquisition of Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Hughes Aircraft Company, diversification efforts intended to insulate GM from fluctuations in the automotive market. He also oversaw the creation of the Saturn Corporation, a new GM division designed to compete directly with Japanese compact cars.

Smith's legacy is complex. He is credited with recognizing the need for GM to adapt to a rapidly changing global market. However, his management style and some of his key strategic decisions are widely debated, with critics arguing that they contributed to GM's later decline. Despite his efforts to modernize, GM's market share significantly decreased during his time as chairman. He retired from GM in 1990.