Shigeki Terashi, Toyota's new head of North American manufacturing, sales, engineering and purchasing, is an engineer. That's a big change for a company that has always sent sales, marketing and administration executives from Japan to hold top North American positions.
Terashi, 57, spent the first 15 years of his Toyota career testing prototypes and competitors' products as a vehicle development engineer. During his second 15 years he was chief engineer for the Solara coupe and Avalon full-sized sedan, as well as the prestigious Crown for the Japan market.
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