Whoa! Here's a shocker! Chrysler has just hired Jim Press, Toyota's (now former) North American chief. Press was just appointed Chrysler Vice Chairman and President...
As such he will oversee North American sales, international sales, global marketing, product strategy, service and parts for Chrysler LLC.
This could well be the the automotive news story of the year in terms of key industry players. I wonder how many people saw this coming? Not many, I bet.
The big question is: Why? Why would Press leave Toyota for Chrysler? Would love to have been a fly on the wall during these discussions and negotiations...
Full story here.
Here's AutoObserver's take: BREAKING NEWS: Toyota's Press Goes to Chrysler
Here's Inside Line's take: Toyota Executive Jim Press Hops to Vice Chairmanship at Chrysler
This could well be the the automotive news story of the year in terms of key industry players. I wonder how many people saw this coming? Not many, I bet.
The big question is: Why? Why would Press leave Toyota for Chrysler? Would love to have been a fly on the wall during these discussions and negotiations...
Full story here.
Here's AutoObserver's take: BREAKING NEWS: Toyota's Press Goes to Chrysler
Here's Inside Line's take: Toyota Executive Jim Press Hops to Vice Chairmanship at Chrysler
roar02ram says:
07:27 AM, 09/ 6/07
O-M-G, the second Toyota exec to jump ship for Chrysler.
ateixeira says:
08:06 AM, 09/ 6/07
This is a major coup for Cerburus. I don't know how they convinced him to leave. Seems suicidal.
Toyota's loss is Chrysler's gain.
mirth says:
09:09 AM, 09/ 6/07
Not much surprises me anymore as far as auto news goes - this is one that outright shocked me.
vvk says:
09:54 AM, 09/ 6/07
I am sure he wants a challenge. Must be pretty boring at Toyota USA...
carboy28 says:
11:06 AM, 09/ 6/07
That was my first thought when I saw the news.
estreka says:
03:00 PM, 09/ 6/07
Perhaps so, but I think he's bit off more than he can chew. He just jumped off a victorious Man'O'War onto a sinking cutter.
firstwagon says:
05:12 PM, 09/ 6/07
I don't blame him. Toyota like most Japanese companies are not easy to work with. Everything is set in stone and it very hard to make changes.
Chrysler knows it needs to improve and I'll bet it's willing to let a new guy change things. He can make a real name for himself if he can bring about a big improvement. They have something interesting products, they just need bring stuff up the everyone elses standards.
At Toyota, everything that is good is already done and everything that is wrong you can't change. Nothing to do there. Dull.
hondacura4 says:
04:12 AM, 09/ 7/07
Japanese companies are usually ran by Japanese. He wouldn't have the chance to move up any further at Toyota and make a major difference like he would at Chrysler. Plus the large bonus didn't hurt either.
I wouldn't say working at Toyota is "dull" as my father is always excited about his role there.