Toyota Motor Sales Announces New Corporate Communications Assignments

TORRANCE, Calif., March 20 -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. today announced new assignments for several members of its Corporate Communications Division. The moves are intended to consolidate public relations responsibilities for the Toyota Division and extend Lexus' visibility to affluent consumers.

John Hanson is named national manager of Toyota Division communications, with responsibility for Toyota-brand product news, marketing communications, environmental and advanced technologies and Scion. Hanson was formerly national manager, product news.

Julie Alfonso will assume new duties as manager of Lexus Division communications with responsibility for all media relations and product public relations for the Lexus Division. Alfonso was previously Toyota product news manager.

Hanson and Alfonso report to Mike Michels, corporate manager, external communications.

Nancy Hubbell, will join the Lexus communications department as Lexus prestige communications manager, a new position responsible for affluent-lifestyle initiatives and Lexus philanthropy. Hubbell was formerly national manager, strategic communications.

Bill Ussery is appointed Toyota marketing public relations manager, reporting to Hanson. In this position, Ussery will help generate public relations activities which closely synergize with the Toyota marketing department's objectives. Ussery previously served as Lexus public relations manager.

Ming-Jou Chen, is appointed Toyota product communications supervisor, reporting to Hanson. Chen will guide the group's product-information efforts, new-model introductions and press-material development. Chen was previously Scion public relations administrator.

Allison Takahashi is named Scion public relations administrator, reporting to Chen. Takahashi was formerly a product news administrator for Toyota.

General business and corporate affairs issues will continue to be handled by National Media Relations Manager Xavier Dominicis. Toyota Motor Sales' field PR offices in Detroit, New York, Washington, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix Los Angeles and San Francisco will continue to provide local representatives under the leadership of Joe Tetherow, national field operations manager.

Dominicis and Tetherow continue to report to Michels.

ABOUT TOYOTA: Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,427 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports, and research and development.