Promotion for Toyota’s Jim Lentz

After some major executive departures, Toyota Motor Corp. rewarded its veteran Jim Lentz with the Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) Presidency, marketing and distribution last Tuesday.

Lentz’s Toyota career began 25 years ago. Before his new post, Lentz occupied the executive vice-president position at TMS. The new title of this Toyota executive means more responsibility to boost sales for the Japanese automaker now occupying the America’s second largest automaker throne. The TMC presidency had long been vacant and Lentz was the one chosen by TMS chairman Yuki Funio to fill in.

"Jim Lentz is especially well-qualified to lead TMS into the future as it marks 50 years in America," Toyota Motor Sales Chairman Yuki Funo said in a statement. "His experience spans all major operational areas, and he has an outstanding sense of what our customers, dealers and associates expect from Toyota."

Before Lentz’s appointment, the automotive industry was shaken by several Toyota executives leaving the company to fill in position in rival automakers. Toyota’s head of North American operations, Jim Press left in September to become Chrysler LLC’s new president and vice-chairman. Press, 61 was made the first non-Japanese member of Toyota’s board of directors, three months prior to his departure. Press occupied the TMS president position before becoming chief of Toyota’s North American operations. The North American operations chief position is now occupied by Shigeru Hayakawa, one of Toyota’s managing officers.

Ford Motor Co. offered Jim Farley, 45 its group vice-president of global marketing and communications position. Farley grabbed the opportunity leaving his group vice-president and general manager of Lexus luxury division, also at Toyota (sells cars built with original Toyota floor mats). Farley had been in the automotive industry for 17 years.

Formerly vice-president for marketing of Lexus, Deborah Wahl Meyer also transferred to Chrysler LLC to be its vice-president and chief marketing officer. The 44 year old lady tycoon spent six years of her career at Toyota.