Jim Press

James E. Press is the former Deputy CEO of Chrysler Group LLC serving in that capacity from June to December 2009. He also served as Senior Advisor to Chrysler Financial Company. During this assignment, he assisted Sergio Marchionne in the transition to Fiat. Mr. Press was heavily involved in maintaining company operations and product development during the bankruptcy period.

Press has extensive experience within global internationally organized auto companies, having joined Toyota in 1970 and serving in most key executive positions before being named COO of Toyota Motor North America, the consolidating company for all sales, finance, manufacturing, design and engineering activities of one of the largest auto companies in the world.

Previously, Mr. Press served as Co-President of Chrysler LLC, President of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Daimler AG. He served as President of Sales & Marketing Operations of Chrysler LLC between September 2007 to June 2009. He served as Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Corp. until September 14, 2007, and was the first non-Japanese member of Toyota’s board of directors.

Presently, Press is President of McLarty International, operating retail auto dealerships globally, with operations in China, Brazil, and Mexico. He is CEO of Yanjun Auto Group, a leading luxury auto dealership chain in China and he formerly resided in Beijing before moving back to Birmingham Michigan. Press is also Senior Advisor to the Renault–Nissan Alliance, working closely with the CEO, Carlos Ghosn.

In 2007, Press told the Detroit News that diesels, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and diesel-hybrids are among the technologies "in the mix," and that every Chrysler vehicle will eventually have an alternative to the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine]].

Press was born in Pasadena, California being the younger brother of Larry Press. In 2006 Press filed out a divorce and remarried. After being remarried to his new wife, Suwichada Busamrong from Thailand, Press and his wife live in Birmingham and have six children; Robert Press, Jason Press, Christopher Press, Elizabeth Press, Nong Press, and Guy Busamrong-Press

Press is known to be an avid swimmer. He wears a single string on one wrist as a reminder that material wealth is not the most important thing.