Martin Uhlarik appointed Tata Motors’ new Global Design Head

Pratap Bose, Vice President, Global Design of Tata Motors, has resigned. Martin Uhlarik, who was previously the Head of Design for Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC), UK, has taken over his role.

The news of Bose's resignation has come as a big surprise because the celebrated designer was not just a familiar face within the company but a brand ambassador for the Tata brand. In fact, Bose can be credited for transforming design and styling at Tata Motors, whose products have won many design awards under his watch. The Tata Altroz won the Best Design Award at the 2021 Autocar Car of the Year Awards. Part of the reason for Tata Motors’ recent success is the design of its cars, something which customers have come to appreciate. 

Uhlarik was till recently Head of Design for Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) and takes over his new role from Bose who has chosen to pursue opportunities outside the company. Over the course of his 27-year career, Uhlarik has been involved in the design of successful nameplates with leading global OEMs. Since joining Tata Motors in 2016 as Head of Design, UK, he has led the development of the Impact 3 generation of vehicles.

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Uhlarik as the new Global Design Head of Tata Motors. Martin is an experienced automobile designer with deep domain knowledge of design, keen understanding of international trends and extensive operational experience with leading automobile companies in several geographies.  His rich experience and expertise will inspire our teams to further enhance our vehicle design philosophy and language. I take this opportunity to also thank Pratap for his services and wish him the best for the future.”

Uhlarik will continue to operate from TMETC in the UK. He will lead teams in the three Tata Motors Design centres in Coventry (UK), Turin (Italy) and Pune (India). He will report into Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors.

Uhlarik has a degree in Industrial Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto, Canada in 1993 and a degree in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland in 1994.