Toyota UK Marketing Director Appointment

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – July 15, 2009: John Thomson has been appointed Marketing Director for Toyota (GB) PLC, taking over from Mark Hall who left to take up a position in Toyota Motor Europe.

Thomson, no stranger to Toyota (GB), returns from three years at Toyota Motor Europe (TME) where he was a Senior Manager, Marketing and, more recently, held the position of General Manager, Business Planning and Lean Operations. Before heading for TME, Thomson was General Manager, Lexus Operations from May 2002 to December 2005 in the UK.

Before joining Toyota, Thomson spent nine years at Citroën UK in a number of management roles, which included Zone Sales Manager, Fleet Manager and Network Commercial Manager.

Commenting on his new role he said: “Current conditions in the UK market will undoubtedly present challenges for us, but we can face these positively and competitively with the line-up of Toyota Optimal Drive range of efficient engines and transmissions. Additionally, Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive third generation Prius which goes on sale from August will reinforce Toyota’s unique position as a clear technology leader in this field.”