"It is time to admire and praise our dealers for the great strides and investments they have made in response to the changing retail landscape," said Jim Press, the chief operating officer and executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told a group of automotive journalists.

Press, who was the keynote speaker at the International Motor Press Association (IMPA) breakfast on April 11, said "Our dealers' entrepreneurial spirit provides the retail connection to our customers and has helped this industry flourish in America -- and they are doing a good job. Extensive research conducted by Gallup shows that 85 percent of customers reported a very positive experience in

buying their most recent vehicles."

Press called on the auto industry to realize that "manufacturers should do what they do best: design and build great cars and trucks ... while dealers should do what they do best: sell, service and satisfy customers."

Press added that "when we try to do each other's job -- or fight with each other -- we waste precious time and energy, losing sight of the real problems we need to focus on."

Press is serving as this year's chairman of the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers.

The IMPA breakfast is held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show.