Toyota Motor North America (TMA) announced today that Jim Press, TMA president and a Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) senior managing director, will resign from both positions effective September 14, 2007. Press will become Vice Chairman, President at Chrysler.
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In his new role at Chrysler, Press will be in charge of North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts. Tom LaSorda still has responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing, labor and Global Business Development and Alliances.
“Tom LaSorda and I are thrilled that one of the most successful executives in the history of the auto industry has joined our leadership team at the New Chrysler,” said Nardelli. “Our top team now consists of a world-class ‘supply’ leader in Tom and an equally world-class ‘demand’ leader in Jim.”
“I’ve known Jim for many years and know that he will hit the ground sprinting,” said LaSorda. “I look forward to partnering with him and Bob as part of the Office of the Chairman.”
Press joins LaSorda as a Vice Chairman and President, reporting to Nardelli.
At Toyota, Shigeru Hayakawa, currently TMA’s executive vice president, will be named president of TMA and will continue to serve as a TMC managing officer.
Press joined Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. in 1970 and has been a key driving force behind Toyota’s US operations for 37 years.
Regarding his departure from Toyota, Press said, “Toyota has been the centerpiece of my life. This was the most difficult decision I have made, but I am truly looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career.”
TMC President Katsuaki Watanabe commented, “Jim has played a significant role in strengthening Toyota’s presence in the U.S. I was looking forward to him playing a bigger role as a member of our management team, so I am sorry to see him leave. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all he has done for Toyota.”
Hayakawa joined Toyota in 1977. He started in the overseas department of the Public Affairs Division, where his responsibilities included international media relations, government affairs, investor relations and corporate advertising. In 1994 he began a six year assignment in New York at TMA. He became head of the International Communications Department in 2002 and general manager of the Public Affairs Division in 2005. He was named managing officer of TMC and executive vice president of TMA in 2007.
