Toyota posts record first-half profit
 

DETROIT - Toyota promoted company veteran Jim Lentz to president of its U.S. sales, marketing and distribution operations on Tuesday.

Lentz, 52, who joined Toyota in 1982 and has worked in the auto industry for 29 years, had been executive vice-president at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

The promotion comes after a series of high-profile defections from the company, including the stunning departure of Jim Press, 61, the former head of Toyota's North American operations, who left in September to become president and vice-chairman of Chrysler LLC. Press' promotion as the first non-Japanese board member at Toyota had been approved with fanfare just three months earlier.

Press was president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. until his promotion to lead the company's North American operations.

Lentz' promotion fills a vacant position, the company said.

"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."

In addition to Press, Jim Farley, a 17-year veteran and group vice-president and general manager of Toyota's Lexus luxury division in the U.S, left to join Ford Motor Co. as group vice-president of global marketing and communications.

Deborah Wahl Meyer jumped to Chrysler to become vice-president and chief marketing officer. Meyer, 44, had spent the last six years at Toyota, most recently as vice-president of marketing for Lexus.

Lentz has served in many positions with Toyota including merchandising, distribution, field operations and sales administration. He also was responsible for the launch of Scion, Toyota's new funky brand designed to appeal to young buyers.

Toyota also appointed Dian Ogilvie, 64, to senior vice-president and secretary of Toyota Motor North America in New York. She currently is Toyota Motor Sales senior vice-president, general counsel and chief environmental officer.

Both promotions are effective immediately, the company said in a statement.

Toyota Motor Corp. shares rose 35 cents to close at $111.99 Tuesday.

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