Karl Slym, former India head of General Motors, has joined Tata Motors as its Managing Director ahead of schedule. He was slated to join the Tata group company on October 1.
“…on the necessary formalities having been completed, Karl Slym has joined the company,” Tata Motors said in a BSE statement.
However, the company did not specify the reasons for advancing the date of joining, rather than stating it as completion of necessary formalities.
Prior to his appointment, Slym was the Executive Vice-President and board member of SGMW Motors, a three-way joint venture among China’s SAIC Motor Corporation, Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co Ltd and General Motors.
On August 14, Tata Motors had announced the appointment of Slym as its Managing Director, a post that was lying vacant since the retirement of P.M. Telang on June 21.
Operations
Slym would lead the company’s operations both in India and the global markets, including South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia and South Africa. However, Tata Motors UK subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover will continue to be managed independently.
Slym takes over at a time when Tata Motors has lost its leadership position in utility vehicles to Mahindra and Mahindra.