Despite recently renewing his contract with Chrysler, it's looking more and more like Tom LaSorda's days at the automaker are numbered. This morning, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli revealed that Jim Press would be joining the company as Vice Chairman and President, the same title LaSorda has on his recently-updated business cards. Until today, Press had been none other than President and COO of Toyota North America, quietly leading the Japanese automaker's charge in the U.S. for more market share. Press will be in charge of North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts ,while LaSorda is still responsible for manufacturing, purchasing, labor and Global Business Development and Alliances.
The full press release is after the jump.
[Source: Chrysler]
September 6, 2007AUBURN 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."
- 2 -
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.
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
In the Autoblog Garage: Aprilia RSV 1000 R
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Beat-it-nerd @ Sep 6th 2007 10:44AM
Un-F@$king-Believable!!!!
Mike Huber @ Sep 6th 2007 10:56AM
The part of your entry that is accurate is the dollar sign ($) which is the only reason I can see for leaving the top of the world for the basement of the outhouse!
Beat-it-nerd @ Sep 6th 2007 12:50PM
I couldn't agree more. They would have had to make him a ridiculous offer to leave Toyota after 37 years. Either Press is an idiot or he is the smartest man alive. Only time will tell..
react333 @ Sep 6th 2007 10:46AM
So how does a company have two presidents? It seems that Lasorda's responsibilities keep getting chipped away. Maybe Press can lend some guidance and expertise taken from the recent surge of Toyota to a company who needs to completely reaffirm their place in the automotive industry
samir.bhatia @ Sep 6th 2007 10:49AM
Surprised he didn't have a non-compete!
Wasn't he also recently named to Toyota's Board of Directors? I thought it made news that he was the first non-Japanese ever on the BoD. Maybe I'm just making things up.
samir.bhatia @ Sep 6th 2007 10:59AM
I'm an idiot. I didn't read the whole thing where it mentions he was on the BoD.
I wonder how displeased the folks at Toyota are about this.
wally @ Sep 6th 2007 10:53AM
Despite of recently renewing his contract with Chrysler, it's looking more and more like Tom LaSorda's days at the automaker are numbered?
Bob Nardelli could be the one leaving Chrysler to CCM Team!
Doug @ Sep 6th 2007 10:53AM
How much do you have to offer one of the most successful executives at one of the most successful companies in the history of auto making to come to your floundering (sorry Chrysler) company? I mean, Chrysler is a complete wild card right now. Cast off from D-C, bought by a conglomerate of 'investors', hiring a complete auto outsider beancounter. I wasn't sure about Nardelli, but he must be doing something right to win Press over. This really is absolutely amazing.
FLR @ Sep 6th 2007 10:56AM
Wow...this is huge! Press was the first non-Japanese appointed to the Toyota board.
St.J @ Sep 6th 2007 12:31PM
And i wonder if he will be the last.
Tyk @ Sep 6th 2007 11:01AM
Lasorda will be gone soon after the UAW negotiations are finish... his labour/union experience is the only reason hes still around.
sk @ Sep 6th 2007 11:01AM
The number thrown around to get him to join Chrysler is 1/2 billion +. That's what I heard on WWJ 950 AM Detroit this morning.
brucemlloyd @ Sep 6th 2007 11:10AM
I think there was a very similar conversation some time ago:
"Yes, I'd love to be the captain of this glorious ship. It'll be the world's greatest, indestructible and nothing will rival it. What's she called?"
"Titanic."
Cincinnati Slim @ Sep 7th 2007 9:12AM
Cerberus bought this company because they believed that they were willing and able to turn things around for Chrysler in the marketplace. Mercedes-Benz retained a 1/5 share because they believed there were long-term benefits to be reaped and various shared projects ongoing. Don't count Crysler out yet. They have bounced back a number of times in the past and will again !
Cincinnati Slim
Tagg @ Sep 6th 2007 11:12AM
I guess we'll see what this guy is really made of when it comes to the auto business. At Toyota had alot of advantages such as no unions, better product, and a fresh corperat culture to mold into what Toyota is today. At Chrysler the culture is hardened into many old habits that have led Chrysler into the situation it finds itself today. We will definately see if Press is a true automotive leader or not.
I also have to wonder what would have happend if Eaton was passed over by Lutz at Chrylser...
J.Crew @ Sep 6th 2007 11:25AM
Wow, he must really want a challenge and was getting bored at Toyota. I don't see how he could have gone any further at Toyota as they would not ever have an American CEO.
LaSorda will be happy in his new/old role. He is not an ego driven guy and it would be foolish for Chrysler to lose him over this. Press is Sales and LaSorda is Manufacturing...pretty simple and a powerful team.
Now junk some or most of the current lineup and get moving!
georgejetson @ Sep 6th 2007 11:34AM
A few years from now somebody will write a book with all the inside scoop on the Cerberus takeover of Chrysler, including the backstory on this deal. I can't wait to read it.
djSyndrome @ Sep 6th 2007 11:45AM
The Yakuza will be calling on Mr. Press shortly.
tenchi71 @ Sep 6th 2007 11:50AM
haha... tell me about it!
Tool @ Sep 6th 2007 11:50AM
Adding Jim Press to Chrysler is a game changer.
For all his faults--primarily that of being one of the most passive aggressive auto execs in the world--Jim Press really led Toyota out of the wilderness it was in during the mid 1990's.
I was about to count Chrysler out. But with Press at the helm, I think they now have a fighting chance. The big question is why Cerberus didn't make him Chairman and CEO instead of Nardelli. I think the answer was that the Nardelli hire was a knee-jerk reaction to Bernhard turning down the job. The scramble led to the Nardelli hire.
This hire also strengthens Cerberus position in acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover.