Jim Press, first non-Japanese person to serve on Toyota's board of directors and be named president and COO of Toyota Motors in North America Inc., is the latest high-profile hire of the new Chrysler.

Press, who was sixth on this year's Motor Trend Power List of industry movers and shakers, has been named vice chairman and president of the reshaped company and will report to CEO Robert Nardelli. Press will share the same title with DaimlerChrysler holdover Tom LaSorda, who is probably dusting off his resume as you read this. Press will be responsible for North American Sales, International Sales, Global Marketing, Product Strategy, and Service and Parts. Lasorda will reportedly be responsible for manufacturing, purchasing, labor and Global Business Development and Alliances.

According to Automotive News Europe, Shigeru Hayakawa, Toyota North America's executive vice president and a managing officer at Toyota Motor Corp., the parent company in Japan, will take over when Press officially leaves on September 14.

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