Formerly known as Hot Rod, Rodimus was at one time the
leader of the
Autobots/
Cybertrons. Rodimus Prime actually has two different histories; The first one has him attempting to usher in the "New Cybertronian Era", which was
forgotten as quickly as it was concieved. This version of the
Autobot leader was
uneasy with his "
crown" of
leadership; he
willingly gave up the
matrix (and with it, leadership) of the autobots when
Optimus Prime returned. This is the
American history.
The Japanese history, however, was quite different. Rodimus Convoy, as he was known in Japan, was not only a very confident leader, but was as widely respected as his predecessor, Optimus Prime. Rodimus died mid-battle during the Headmaster Era, but was remembered long afterwards as a brave and compassionate leader.