Chrysler lured another high-profile executive into its ranks on Friday, following a similar move the day before as the company seeks to revive its struggling operations.

The Detroit based automaker said that it appointed, Phil Murtaugh, the former head of General Motor's successful China business, as chief executive of its Asian operations.

For the past year Murtaugh has been an executive vice-president at Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation, one of China's largest carmakers.

Murtaugh will be responsible for Chrysler's operations throughout the Asia region, including China and India, Chrysler said.

After joining SAIC last summer, Murtaugh said that accepting the offer was difficult, but admitted it was a tremendous opportunity.

At this stage of my career, it is an offer I just cannot turn down, he said.

Today's announcement came on the heels of Chrysler's appointment of Toyota's respected North American, head Jim Press, a day prior.

After nearly a decade long unsuccessful venture as part of Daimler Chrysler, the newly independent firm is quickly assembling an executive team after being taken private by Cerebrus Capital Management last month.

Last month the firm announced that Robert Nardelli, the former CEO of Home Depot Inc., would become Chrysler's chairman and chief executive.

The company also hired Deborah Wahl Meyer as the vice president and chief marketing officer, the vice president of marketing for Toyota's luxury Lexus brand.

Murtaugh joining Chrysler may have taken some by surprise, but is not the first time he has made an unexpected move.

Widely credited with helping GM establish a leading presence in the competitive Chinese market, Murtaugh abruptly left the automaker in 2005 citing personal reasons.

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