Toyota Motors North America President Honored

This weekend, the Automotive Hall of Famewhile Lexus has bested their January 2006 sales
presented the prestigious Industry Leader Awardby 8 percent. Scion, the youth oriented marque
to Toyota Motors North America President Jamesof Toyota, also posted strong numbers with
E. Press for the year 2006. The award was given9,004 units sold.
to Press for having demonstrated and shownThe continuing success of Toyota is attributed to
outstanding leadership in the industry. After all, thethe work ethics of their workers and the high
company which he leads has enjoyed muchperformance cars in their lineup. Their HEV or
success in the past year. The presentation of thehybrid electric vehicle which is the Toyota Prius is
award is in conjunction with the Nationalfast becoming a major source of income for the
Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)Japanese company. And with continuous
Convention held in Las Vegas.development of new vehicles which will boast
Other citations given during the event include thehigher performance akin to those brake parts
institute's oldest award which dates back to 1940.from Active Brakes Direct, the company is on its
This is the Distinguished Service Citation and itway to take the top spot from General Motors.
was given to six industry leaders. The recipientsThat is if the current trend continues and both
of the distinguished service citation are: Dr. AmarFord and General Motors continue their slide
G. Bose, Chairman and CEO, Bose Corp.; Jeffreydownwards.
A. Cook, Technical Leader for the Ford MotorThe January sales figures for General Motors
Company; Allan D. Gilmour, Vice Chairman, CFOshows a 19.7 percent decrease in the number of
(retired), Ford Motor Company; Timothy D.vehicles they have sold. Buick, Hummer, and
Leuiette, Chairman, President and CEO, MetaldynePontiac have the largest decline in terms of sales
Corp.; Elizabeth Lowery, Vice President,of all General Motors' marques. In fact, the only
Environment and Energy, General Motors Corp.;marque to have posted an improvement is Saab
and Phil Smart Sr., Chairman, Phil Smartwhich improved their sales by 3.3 percent over
Mercedes-Benz. The citations given to these sixlast year's numbers.
industry leaders are described to be given toAnother American car manufacturer which shares
those individuals "who have provided distinguishedthe same fate is the Ford Motor Company which
service to the automotive industry and to theposted a 19 percent drop in their sales. The 65
recipients' respective organizations" as per Jeffreypercent drop in their sales to rental companies is
Leestma, the President of the Automotive Hall ofthe main reason for the overall decline in their
Fame said.January 2007 sales. Just like its fellow American
The award given to Press comes on the heel ofcarmaker General Motors, the Dearborn-based
the recently posted sales figures of Toyota forcar manufacture has only one marque which
January this year which shows their continuedposted positive numbers. Lincoln sales were up by
success that the company has carried over from2.7 percent over their output last year during the
last year. In North America, Toyota has soldsame period.
178,850 vehicles which becomes their best everThe continued success of Toyota and their
performance for the said month. The figureexpected rise in the ranks of giant car makers
shows a 5.1 percent increase over theirsurely makes Press deserving of the award.
performance last year. Both the Toyota and theMoreover, the distinguished service awardees are
Lexus divisions have broken their sales record foralso very much deserving for their contribution to
the month of January. The Toyota division postedthe automotive industry.
a 4.7 percent increase over January 2006 sales