Hot Off the “Press”: Toyota Exec Joins Our Team

“I am grateful for the support and opportunities I received during my three-plus decades at Toyota… I relish this new opportunity with the Chrysler team to be a part of the resurgence of a true American icon here and around the world.” — James Press, the new vice chairman and president, Chrysler LLC.

Not sure if you’d heard yet, but Dodge and Chrysler made some news today with the announcement the hiring of James Press as vice chairman and president of Chrysler LLC. He’s coming to us from his position as one of Toyota’s most senior leaders. Press is a legend in the modern auto industry, helping lead Toyota’s U.S. operations. The news spread pretty quickly, from Detroit (The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press) to the Associated Press via Yahoo! News and over to the big blogs (Autoblog, Jalopnik).

Needless to say, we’re pleased as punch to have him with us at the New Dodge. Maybe we’ll even get him to blog?

Check out the full press release after the jump. And, as always, pass along your thoughts and questions in the comment section.

Chrysler Names James E. Press Vice Chairman and President
• Chairman and CEO Robert L. Nardelli teams former Toyota chief with Vice Chairman and President Thomas W. LaSorda
• “World-class supply and demand leaders”
• Joins Nardelli and LaSorda in new Office of the Chairman and on Board of Directors of Chrysler LLC
• Press to run North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts

Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler LLC Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli today announced the appointment of James Press as Vice Chairman and President. Press, who was President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motors North America and a Director of the parent company, will now be responsible for North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts for Chrysler LLC.

“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. LaSorda’s responsibilities will continue to include Manufacturing, Procurement and Supply, Employee Relations and Global Business Development and Alliances.

“I am grateful for the support and opportunities I received during my three-plus decades at Toyota,” said Press. “I relish this new opportunity with the Chrysler team to be a part of the resurgence of a true American icon here and around the world. Part of my new responsibilities will be strengthening and energizing the dealer body. This is something I was passionate about at Toyota and will be passionate about at Chrysler.”

Press joins Chrysler after 37 years with Toyota, where he most recently served as the first non-Japanese President of Toyota Motor North America, responsible for sales, engineering and the company’s 15 manufacturing plants with 41,000 employees in North America. He was also the first non-Japanese executive selected to the Board of Directors of Toyota Motor Corporation.

During his tenure at Toyota, the company grew from an upstart new company selling 100,000 vehicles per year to the second largest auto company in the United States.

Press becomes a member of the Chrysler LLC Board of Directors and the Board of Managers of Cerberus Operations and Advisory Co. (COAC), LLC. Press joins LaSorda as Vice Chairman of COAC.

Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over 2005. On the heels of the company’s record product launch year (Chrysler launched 10 all-new vehicles in 2006), the company plans to extend that streak with eight all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and Dodge Charger. The Chrysler Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, gave $23.6 million in grants in 2006. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management.