Jo Cooper Named Group Vice President at Toyota Motor North America in Washington, DC

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2004 -- Toyota Motor North America (TMA) President Toshiaki (Tag) Taguchi announced today that Josephine S. (Jo) Cooper has been named group vice president of government and industry affairs in Washington, D.C., reporting to TMA Senior Vice President Dennis Cuneo.

Cooper will direct all of Toyota's federal government affairs, overseeing lobbying and legislative matters. She was most recently president and chief executive officer of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

"We are delighted that someone with Jo's broad experience and fine reputation will be representing Toyota's interests in Washington," said Taguchi. "She has proven herself to be an effective leader and a dedicated advocate for automobile manufacturers, while enhancing dealer relations and leading the industry forward in the areas of environmental and safety policy."

Cooper brings more than 25 years of Washington experience to Toyota, having served as vice president for regulatory affairs at the American Forest & Paper Association; a congressional aide to former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and to then-Representative Dick Cheney; as assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for external affairs; as chief operating officer of the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association; and as a corporate public affairs executive with Hill & Knowlton.

"I am thrilled to be launching the next phase of my career with a company of Toyota's caliber," said Cooper. "I share Toyota's firm commitment to environmental leadership, automotive safety and the production of premium quality products."

"Toyota's growth in the U.S. market demands the company's full participation in building sound public policies that address the impact of automobiles on society, and I am eager to contribute to that effort," Cooper said.

Cooper succeeds Douglas M. West, who has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Aichi USA 2005, the Washington, D.C.-based organization responsible for developing the U.S. participation World Exposition 2005 in Aichi, Japan.

"This is an exciting professional challenge, and I look forward to leading the Aichi USA team in the development of a world-class contribution to next year's World Exposition," said West. "Toyota is a tremendous organization and I am privileged to have played a part in the company's evolution and growth in the U.S. over the last 22 years. I know Jo Cooper will continue my mission of strengthening Toyota's presence in Washington and I congratulate her."

Cooper will assume her new position at Toyota effective February 17, 2004.

Wholly owned by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan, Toyota Motor North America (TMA) is the holding company for Toyota's U.S. sales and manufacturing companies. Direct functions include: corporate communications; investor relations; corporate advertising; federal government, industry and regulatory affairs; market, economic and auto industry research; and the Toyota USA Foundation. In addition, TMA coordinates the corporate planning, diversity and business activities of all Toyota companies in North America.