TOYOTA motor sales USA president makes first visit to Bahrain

The president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Mr. Jim Lentz, made a formal business visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain to find out from Toyota sole distributor, Ebrahim K. Kanoo B.S.C how TMS can further improve its operations in Bahrain and in the region. This is the first time that a Toyota Motor Sales president ever visits the Gulf.

Mr. Lentz along with TMS Senior Vice President Mr Kazuo Ohara and Toyota Motor Corporation General Manager Mr Jim Sakaguchi were here to asses the dynamics of the booming automotive market in the GCC and gain first hand feedback on Toyota exports to the region.

The team carried out a comprehensive review and evaluation of operations in the GCC and identified current and future opportunities to enhance Toyota’s export services and improve distributor support. The fact finding mission allowed them to find out more about what automobile business is looking for in the region; examine customer profiles in the various automobile markets; and seek detailed feedback from distributors on the market readiness for specific Toyota vehicles.

The TMS-TMC team met the E.K. Kanoo senior management: Mr. Mohammad Kanoo, Chairman; Mr Fuad Kanoo, Vice Chairman; Mr Ismail Akbar, Executive GM; and key E.K. Kanoo staff. 

TMS is the US sales, distribution and marketing unit for Toyota Motor Corporation in USA. The visit aimed at improving its export procedures to the Gulf in advance of the launch of the all new Toyota Sequoia full size SUV into Bahrain in early 2009. The high level meeting between TMS and E.K. Kanoo focused on the economic boom in the Kingdom which is attracting huge investment into infrastructure projects and businesses. The boom is reflected in a higher standard of living and rising disposable incomes which have pushed automobile sales to unprecedented levels.

A veteran of the automotive industry, Jim Lentz was promoted to President of Toyota Motor Sales, USA on November 6, 2007. Lentz, 52, joined Toyota in 1982 and has served in a variety of positions in the organization, including merchandising, distribution, field operations, and sales administration.

Photo left to right :

Mr Jim Sakaguchi, General Manager, Toyota Motor Corporation
Mr. Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales, USA,
Mr Mohamed Kanoo, President, E K Kanoo
Mr Fuad Kanoo, Vice President, E K Kanoo
Mr Ismail Akbar, Executive G.M. of Sales Toyota & Lexus