Deputy CEO and Special Advisor to Sergio Marchionne, Jim Press, is set to leave the Chrysler Group before the end of the year according to media reports this weekend, completing the departure of senior executives that has taken place since Fiat took control of the U.S. carmaker after it emerged from bankruptcy.

While key management figures such as Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli, who was appointed by the previous owners Cerberus Capital Management, and President and Vice-Chairman Tom LaSorda left earlier this summer, new Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne reappointed Press as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Special Adviser for Chrysler Group LLC in June 2009, reporting directly to Marchionne. In this position, according to Chrysler "Mr. Press is instrumental in the restructuring of the Chrysler Group LLC." Before that Press had served most recently as Vice Chairman and President, of Chrysler LLC, following his appointment in September 2007.

The news that Press is to depart was broken yesterday by the Wall Street Journal; and it wrote: "Chrysler Group LLC Deputy Chief Executive Jim Press is planning to leave the auto maker before the end of the year, according to people who have been informed of the plan, as Fiat SpA seeks to revive the car company that two months ago emerged from bankruptcy." The newspaper then said: "Press has been stripped of many of his responsibilities, and recent missteps have strained his relationship with Chrysler dealers," and further added that: "he is expected to leave Chrysler by the end of November, according to one of the people informed of the plan." The WSJ continued to say that on reaching Press on his phone he said: "I don't think anything has been released about management changes," and he declined further comment. A Chrysler spokesman also declined to comment to the newspaper.

Prior to joining Chrysler, Press was President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motors North America and a Senior Managing Director of the parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation. His work and academic background includes: Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Special Adviser for Chrysler Group LLC, June 2009; Vice Chairman, President and member of the Board of Managers, Chrysler LLC, 2007; Vice Chairman, Board of Managers of Cerberus Operating and Advisory Company LLC, 2007; President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motors North America and Senior Managing Director, Toyota Motor Corporation, 2007;  President, Toyota Motor North America, 2005; President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc., 2001; Joined Toyota Motor Sales and held positions in advertising, service, marketing, product planning, market representation and distribution, 1970; and Bachelor of Science, Kansas State College (now Pittsburgh State University), 1968.

He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Automotive Youth Educational Systems and on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Press is a member of the Advisory Board for his alma mater, Pittsburgh State University and the Switzer Center School in Torrance, California. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and the Chadwick School in Rolling Hills, California. Press was born on October 4, 1946, in Los Angeles, California.