GM Sales Exec to Retire; Successor Chosen

General Motors Corp., whose U.S. market share has slipped in recent years, said that its head of North American sales, service and marketing will soon retire and that he will be succeeded by an executive who will lead GM’s efforts to improve relations with its dealers. Roy Roberts, 60, a 22-year GM veteran and its highest-ranking black executive, said he had wanted to retire last year but stayed to complete a reorganization of the vehicle sales, service and marketing area. William Lovejoy, 59, vice president of GM Service Parts Operations, will assume the same title as Roberts on Feb. 1, and the two will serve jointly during a transition period until Roberts retires April 1. GM stock closed up 75 cents at $83 on the NYSE.