Toyota Motor Sales, USA Announces Top Management Changes

March 24, 2005 -- Torrance, CA -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA, Inc. announced top management changes today, including executive positions overseeing automotive operations and the Toyota and Lexus divisions. The moves further prepare TMS leadership for the competitive future of the U.S. auto market and solidify longer-term succession planning for the organization.

The following executive promotions and assignments are effective immediately:

Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, is appointed senior vice president, automotive operations. Esmond will assume responsibilities for all TMS automotive operations, including the Toyota Division, the Lexus Division, sales administration, Toyota Logistics Services, Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico and Toyota de Puerto Rico. Esmond joined TMS in 1982 and has served in positions in fleet and truck sales, vehicle series teams; vice president, sales for Lexus Division; and vice president, sales for Toyota Division. He will continue to report to Jim Press, executive vice president and chief operating officer. In his new role, Esmond will direct the day-to-day operations of TMS. This enables Press, who also serves as a managing officer of Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, to fulfill his expanding duties as a global leader for Toyota.

Jim Lentz, group vice president, marketing, is appointed group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, replacing Esmond. Lentz' new responsibilities include directing all sales and marketing activities for the Toyota Division, including Scion, as well as Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors. A 23-year Toyota veteran, Lentz has served in a wide variety of positions including general manager of the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions, vice president of marketing services at Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors and vice president, Scion. Lentz will continue to report to Esmond.

Denny Clements, group vice president and general manager of Lexus, has elected to retire effective June 1, 2005. Clements will continue as a senior management advisor to Toyota and Lexus and will relinquish his day-to-day management responsibilities effective April 1. Under his leadership, Lexus has achieved unparalleled success; ranking as the number-one selling luxury brand for the fifth consecutive year, achieving record-breaking sales each year and introducing the first luxury gas/electric hybrid SUV, the RX 400h.

Clements joined Toyota in 1983 and has enjoyed a long and distinguished career with Toyota and Lexus, serving these divisions in several key capacities including: president, Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors/Quality Port Processors; corporate manager, maritime and logistics operations; corporate manager, import and distribution; national manager, TMD regions; general manager, New York region; general manager, Denver region; assistant general manager, Denver region; and sales analysis manager at TMS.

Bob Carter, vice president, Toyota Sales Division, is promoted to group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division, replacing Clements. In his new role he will assume responsibilities for all sales, marketing, and customer satisfaction activities of the Lexus Division. Carter joined TMS in 1981, and has served assignments in Lexus market representation, as general manager of the Toyota Denver region and general manager, Lexus Eastern area. He also held the position of general manager and part owner of Hyannis Toyota in Hyannis, Mass. He will continue to report to Don Esmond.

Replacements for Carter and Lentz will be named in the near future.

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 1,422 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports and general aviation. The company's main Web site is http://www.toyota.com.