Top Toyota Exec Jim Press Jumps to Chrysler Posted on September 06 2007, 12:56 PM



Today's stunning announcement that Chrysler has hired Toyota's top American executive, Jim Press, as president and vice chairman, is a huge decision for the newly-private automaker.

Press had elevated Toyota (Charts) in the U.S. from being just another Japanese automaker to a powerful contender for industry leadership with General Motors (Charts, Fortune 500). Arguably, Press is the most successful American auto executive since World War II. At Chrysler, Press joins another highly-regarded Toyota alumna, marketer Deborah Wahl Meyer, who signed on in August. More than anything, their hiring shows that Cerberus is playing for keeps by going after the best talent in the auto industry.

Chrysler is surely making a fine attempt to turn things around.

 

I just read about this on autoblog this morning. Press has been at Toyota for 37 years, I wonder what made him decide to leave them now for Chrysler? I think it's a good thing but it just seems pretty crazy, especially considering Toyota is probably in the best shape they've ever been right now.

 

The journey to the top is much more exciting than the view at the top.

 

One word M O N E Y

 

I would tend to think the President and COO of Toyota would not be lacking at all in that department

 

maybe jab is right, sometimes people enjoy doing the job of building something up, finding a challenge. Taking Chrysler up some might be fun

 

first order of bussiness would be to get us better shocks

 

^ What he said

 

The second order of business is to put Hemi's in the Daks.

 

First order of business is take advantage of the new start and build each unit with better quality than Toyota to the point where it is said by the consumer it is the most well built most reliable product I have ever owned.