WASHINGTON, D.C. -

As Toyota highlighted the effects the recent floods in Thailand will have on production for the next few weeks, the automaker also announced it has chosen a new group vice president of government affairs in the automaker’s Washington, D.C., office for its North American branch.

Tapped for the role is Stephen Ciccone, who will have primary responsibility for the direction of Toyota’s federal and state government affairs practices, reporting to Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. 

“Steve is a tremendous leader who brings a wealth of state, federal and international experience, as well as broad expertise across policy issues critical to our business,” said Ogilvie.

“He joins a talented Washington team at Toyota and we are delighted he is coming on board to lead our efforts to help build sound public policies that address the role of automobiles in society,” he continued.

Ciccone joins the company from the Eastman Kodak Co., where he served as vice president of global public affairs.

“It is an honor to join Toyota, a company that is legendary for great products, advanced manufacturing and innovation. The company’s presence in the U.S. is vast, employing nearly 30,000 people, and operating nine manufacturing plants with a 10th soon opening in Mississippi, which will create 2,000 more jobs," Ciccone said.

"Toyota is committed to being a positive voice for public policies that encourage investment and job creation, and I am excited to lead the team that represents the company before government,” he added.

Delving more into the potential production difficulties the natural disasters present for the company, so soon after the earthquake in Japan this past spring, the automaker revealed the production adjustment at its plants in Japan has been extended through Oct. 29.

Moreover, production from October 31 through November 5 will be adjusted “based on an ongoing assessment of the parts supply situation at each individual production line,” officials noted.

Moving on to highlight production changes outside of Japan, the company reported that vehicle production plants in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam will adjust production for the week starting Oct. 31.

As for the country directly affected by the flood, the manufacturer said that its sales and production company in Thailand, Toyota Motor Thailand, has extended the production halt at its Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho plants through Nov. 5.

That said, the floods still have had no physical impact on the plants, the company stressed.

Lastly, officials noted that a decisions on production from Nov. 7 onward will be made based on an assessment of the situation as it develops.