Toyota U.S.A. Designates New Top Executive

Shinji Sakai will become president of Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. upon the retirement of Yukiyasu Togo, the current chief executive of that national marketing operation. Toyota has not announced when the 68-year-old Togo will leave his current post.

Sakai, 55, is a director and manager of the automobile firm’s Japan-based North American division. Togo has been president of the U.S. operation since 1983. Sakai will assume leadership of a nationwide sales operation that has grown significantly during Togo’s tenure, from about 726,000 vehicles annually in 1983 to more than 1 million in 1991.

Toyota, which ranks third in U.S. passenger car sales, has 9.8% of the American market.