Toyota Announces New Management System, Appoints Two Americans as Managing Officers

NEW YORK, April 8 -- In order to meet increasing competition and rising global demands, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has announced changes to its management system designed to streamline and accelerate its decision-making process and enhance its competitiveness. The new management system and list will be officially finalized at a board of directors meeting following the general shareholders meeting in June.

Members of the board currently carrying the title of senior managing director and above will comprise the new Board of Directors. Managing directors and below will be appointed managing officers and will concentrate on day-to-day business activities. North American managing officers will include:

   * Atsushi Niimi, president and CEO, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North
     America
   * Gary L. Convis, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky
   * James E. Press, executive vice president and chief operating officer of
     Toyota Motor Sales, USA
   * Seiichi Sudo, vice president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America
   * Tadashi Yamashina, president, Toyota Technical Center, USA

"I am pleased that five members of our North American team, including two non-Japanese executives, have been named managing officers in Toyota's new corporate decision-making structure," said Toshiaki "Tag" Taguchi, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "This is a great statement about Toyota's globalization and the importance of the North American market.

Each of these individuals has played a critical role in Toyota's success here, and I'm pleased they will now play an increasingly important role in Toyota's overall global success."

In addition, Yoshimi Inaba, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales-USA, will be promoted to senior managing director and member of the new Board of Directors. Toshiaki Taguchi, will retire from the board but continue in his current position as president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America.

Visit Toyota's websites: www.toyota.com and pressroom.toyota.com