Toyota's Jim Press to Address Inforum, May 11

American U.S. sales head of Japanese automaker notes women as 'business changers'

DETROIT, May 4 -- Jim Press, president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. will speak on "A New Day for Women and the Auto Industry" at an Inforum (formerly the Women's Economic Club) luncheon on Thursday, May 11.

Fortune magazine called Jim Press Toyota's "secret weapon" in 2004, saying he "arguably has as much influence over the course of the American auto industry as anyone else alive." Press will discuss the positive future he foresees for the auto industry as well as for Detroit and its surrounding area.

In addition, he'll illustrate how women, as both leaders and as key consumers in the auto industry, pack a heavy influence. One of the "business changers" in Toyota's recent study of the 12 key global trends to significantly impact business in 2010 is the influence of women. Toyota's top North American decision makers in technology, financial planning, legal affairs as well as parts and accessory operations are women. As consumers, women buy nearly 60% of Toyota passenger cars today in comparison to 46% of all vehicles industry wide.

Press is the first American president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA.

The noon luncheon, hosted by Inforum at the Antheneum Hotel, 1000 Brush Ave, Detroit is also open to the public. Tickets for the event are $35 for Inforum members and $45 for non-members. Tables of ten can be purchase for the member-rate of $350 by calling 1.877.633.3500 or online at http://www.inforummichigan.org/ .

Press has overall responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution for Toyota, Scion and Lexus products in the United States. He is a member of the company's board of directors, an officer of Toyota Motor North America and serves in a global advisory capacity as managing officer for the parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

After joining Toyota in 1970, Press worked in a variety of positions in the company's U.S. headquarters including advertising, service, marketing, product planning, market representation and distribution. His experience includes managerial assignments in Toyota's Southeast, San Francisco and Cincinnati regions.

Press was the first international automotive executive elected to chair the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, the industry's top trade group, and is currently serving as chairman for the second time during 2006. He has received the "Distinguished Service Citation Award" from the Automotive Hall of Fame and has been named an industry "All-Star" leader by both Automotive News and Automobile Magazine.

About Inforum

Inforum is one of the largest and most prestigious business forums in the nation, with more than 2,200 members from a broad cross-section of Michigan's business community. Inforum provides opportunities for businesswomen to forge alliances, discuss vital civic and business issues and make connections that help accelerate careers. The organization, which was founded in 1962 in Detroit, has affiliates in Grand Rapids and Lansing. The mission of the organization is to strengthen the business environment by creating opportunities for Women to lead and succeed.