Chrysler deputy CEO Jim Press will reportedly leave the Michigan automaker before the end of the year. Press, 62, joined Chrysler in 2007 shortly after it was purchased by Cerberus Capital Management and was one of the few executives retained after the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Press will leave Chrysler before the end of December. Press was one of just a handful of Chrysler executives kept on after Chrysler’s bankruptcy, with Sergio Marchionne – Chrysler’s current CEO – hand selecting Press to stay on after Fiat’s acquisition of the automaker.
Prior to joining Chrysler in 2007, Press spent 37 years with Toyota . Press headed up Toyota’s U.S. sales operations and is the only American to have ever been named to the Japanese automaker’s board.
Press is best known for his dealer relations, but the collapsing auto market caused Press’ relationship with Chrysler dealers to deteriorate over the past few months. Chrysler eliminated 789 dealers during its bankruptcy filing.
