Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA said Tuesday that it promoted Jim Lentz, 52, executive vice president, to president.
The Torrance-based operation is the car company's sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles in the United States.
Lentz's 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 USA. 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," said TMS chairman Yuki Funo. "His experience spans all major
operational areas and he has an outstanding sense of what our customers, dealers and
associates expect from Toyota."
A veteran of 29 years in the auto industry, Lentz joined Toyota in 1982,
and served in a variety of positions including merchandising, distribution, field
operations, and sales administration as well as vice president of marketing services
for Central Atlantic Toyota, a Maryland-based private distributorship.
In 1995, Lentz was promoted to general manager for Toyota’s San Francisco
region, and later became general manager of the Los Angeles region. As vice president
of Scion, Lentz was responsible for the initial launch of a new line of vehicles for
the next generation of new-car buyers.
Also Tuesday, the car company said that Dian Ogilvie, TMS senior vice president, general counsel and chief environmental officer, was been appointed senior vice president and secretary of Toyota Motor North America in New York. She will report to TMA president Shigeru Hayakawa. TMA is the holding company for Toyota’s U.S. sales and manufacturing companies. Ogilvie’s new responsibilities will include administration, corporate communications, industry and government affairs, planning and research, environmental affairs and diversity.
Both promotions are effective immediately.
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