TRANSPORTATION : Chrysler and Mazda Executive Models Fill Jobs for Competitors

The auto world seems to be a small one, at least in executive circles, and Chrysler and Mazda seem to be the preferred training ground for leaders of the second tier of auto importers who have set up shop in Orange County.

Daihatsu America led off back in 1985 when it tabbed Chrysler alumnus C.R. Brown to be executive vice president and chief operating officer. Brown had gone from Chrysler to Mazda Motor America when it was founded in 1970 and headed Mazda’s U.S. operations until he left to open his own dealership in 1975. He then was recruited by John DeLorean and, until 1982, was president of DeLorean Motor Co.

Mazda Motor went back to Chrysler Corp. in November, naming former Chrysler Division marketing executive Clark Vitulli to serve as senior vice president and general manager--the company’s top non-Japanese officer.

Now Hyundai, which raided Toyota’s American operation for executive talent when it started U.S. operations in 1985, has gone the Chrysler and Mazda route.

First, there was Ron Hayden, the former Chrysler executive and Mazda central region general manager named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor America last month.

Following Hayden into Hyundai just this week have been public relations director Bill Wolf--who once held the same title at Mazda--and, most recently, national sales director Bob Parker, former Southwest regional manager for Mazda,.