Press was Toyota's highest-ranking U.S. executive and served as Toyota Motors of America's president. Known as being one of the most talented sales managers in the industry, Press is also recognized as one of the driving forces that has led to Toyota's sales success in the U.S. market.

His position with Chrysler will be vice chairman and co-president with former Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda. He will be responsible for sales, global marketing, product strategy and services.

Shigeru Hayakawa, currently executive vice president of Toyota Motors America, will replace Press as president.

Our take? Talk about a major surprise! But will Press be the cat's meow for the New Chrysler? Or will owner Cerberus soon be taking a bite out of its new acquisition?

September 6, 2007 - New York - 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. 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, U.S.A., Inc. in 1970 and has been a key driving force behind Toyota's U.S. 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.


Press release via Toyota