GM's head of industry-dealer affairs to retire

General Motors Corp. said Wednesday that William E. Powell, North America vice president of industry-dealer affairs, will retire on March 1.

Powell, 61, began his career at the automaker in 1977 at the company's Buick Motor Division in Flint, Mich., and moved through several sales assignments. He has been in charge of the company's dealer development group and regional general manager of GM's southeast region for vehicle sales.

A GM spokeswoman said Powell's position will not be filled and his duties will be handled by others in the company.

GM has been paring down its work force as it prepares to submit a viability plan to the government by next week. On Tuesday, the company announced it will reduce its white-collar work force by 10,000 employees.