F. James McDonald, former GM president, dies at 87

DETROIT - F. James McDonald, who was president and chief operating officer of General Motors Corp. throughout much of the 1980s, has died. He was 87.

McDonald died Sunday, the automaker said in a statement, not giving a specific cause of death.

The former General Motors executive served as president and chief operating officer from February 1981 until August 1987, when he retired.

Over the decades, McDonald held various positions as he worked his way through the ranks. Among them, he served as general manager at both Pontiac and Chevrolet.

As president, McDonald made improving GM quality a top priority. - AP