Compared with the current car, the new sedan sits lower on its new platform, with a more coupelike silhouette. It includes exterior styling cues that were once limited to luxury cars because they required costly manufacturing techniques.

Most automakers who reported November sales saw increases, especially with light trucks. The strong month pushed automakers closer to hitting a fifth consecutive year of at least 17 million auto sales in the U.S.

Toyota will continue to have a presence in New York and other large and regional auto shows, but the automaker may aim its marketing dollars more at experiential efforts at the shows for consumers.

Powell, most recently CEO of Santander Holdings USA Inc., will focus on relationships with regulators for Wells Fargo, one of the nation's largest auto lenders.