via motorauthority

 

Wow that was unexpected

 

So it looks like they won't hire many more Americans to the board huh?

 

Wow, this is a HUGE HUGE blow. He was the first American on the board and Motor Trend has a huge article on him recently.

Did not see this coming at all!!

 

This might not be good. Could this be a bad move for Toyota? Why did Jim Press leave Toyota? Maybe he wasn't a good fit on the board? Cultural differences? Makes me wonder...

 

maybe he wanted a new challenge, he got bored being near the top

 

[Source: Chrysler]

September 6, 2007

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 in North America Inc. 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 Inc., 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.

 

Jim Press wasn't near the top of Toyota, he's now further to the top of Chrysler. Toyota North America is a subsidiary of the parent company Toyota which is based in Japan. The current president and chairman of Toyota is Mr. Katsuaki Watanabe. Jim Press was close but still had a long way to go...

 

Chrysler lures Toyota's top U.S. executive

Chrysler LLC has hired Jim Press, Toyota's highest-ranking U.S. executive and a member of Toyota's board of directors.

Press was appointed Chrysler Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler said today. He will hold the titles jointly with current Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Tom LaSorda.

Press, expected to officially join Chrysler on Sept. 17, will oversee North American sales, international sales, global marketing, product strategy, service and parts for Chrysler LLC.

Press joined Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. in 1970 and has been a key driving force behind Toyota's U.S. operations for 37 years.

"Toyota has been the centerpiece of my life," said Press in a statement issued by Toyota. "This was the most difficult decision I have made but I am truly looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career."

The hiring coup comes little more than a month after Chrysler reverted to a private company under new owners Cerberus Capital Management LLC, which closed its $7.4 billion deal for an 80.1 percent stake in the Auburn Hills auto maker. Previous owner DaimlerChrysler AG will retain a 19.9 percent share in the company.

Press and LaSorda will report to Bob Nardelli, the former Home Depot head hired last month by Cerberus as Chrysler's new chairman and chief executive.

 

Strong move!

 

hope this works of good for toyota north america / lexus

 

Huge changes!!

At least Chrysler knows where to get the goods. Toyota needs to make sure that his replacement can handle the task. Jim Press was a bit arrogant with Toyota/Lexus products (unlike the more reserved and conservative Japanese) and I hope Toyota finds a good balance in the future...

 

Why did he leave?? He is 60 years old, recently remarried, and was spending two weeks a month in Japan. He had no real power over the Board, who were all Japanese. Did he really need that hassle? Probably not. At least this keeps him closer to home. Frankly, after all those years at Toyota you would think he would just retire and live out his years as a wealthy man. But there is always the carrot for more power and more money for Type A individuals. I'm sure the compensation package offered was sweet.

Will be interesting to see how Press, who knows the long term strategy style of Japanese business, will be able to work with Nardelli who is typical 'look to the next quarter' type businessman. Cerberus Capital will want payback quick on their purchase. Press' style is to view the business as a long term development. I see clashes ahead for Press, and they won't be in his favor.

 

Complete surprise to me. I wonder if Toyota allowed Chrysler to snag him because he was getting old.

 

Neither did I! I was stunned when I read that.

Interesting how many car companies look up to Toyota as the role model to emulate in just about every way possible, but the newly independent private corporation that is Chrysler goes a step beyond that and hires away a couple of key people from Toyota/Lexus. Remember that one of Chrysler LLC's first moves was to hire away Lexus' former top marketing executive, Deborah Wahl Meyer, now Chrysler's vice president and chief marketing officer.

Chrysler's hiring Jim Press almost sounds like poetic payback for Bob McCurry's joining Toyota after 28 years at Chrysler. McCurry was the first American to help lead Toyota to its current prominent position in the North American automotive landscape, and thus blazed the trail that Jim Press followed.