August 14, 2012: The nearly two-month vacancy at the head of Tata Motors has been filled. Karl Slym, former chief of General Motors India, has been appointed by Tata Motors as its managing director. Slym will take over the new responsibility from October 1. He succeeds P M Telang who retired from the company in June this year.
Slym will lead all operations of Tata Motors in India as well as international markets including South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia, South Africa. Jaguar Land Rover would continue to be managed independently. Karl Slym’s appointment comes at a time when Tata vehicles are losing out to their competitors. The company’s premium marques Jaguar and Land Rover are providing a strong financial support with their healthy growth globally.
Slym has been the executive vice-president and board member of SGMW (SAIC-GM-Wuling) Motors, a GM joint venture in China, after moving from India late last year. Slym’s exit from GM ends his 17-year stint with the American car major.
Slym, during his stint in India, became comfortable with the Indian environment as well as developed a good understanding of the Indian market. He was instrumental in building the Chevrolet brand for General Motors in India. Along with Slym’s international experience, Tata Motors may have got the right person, especially at a stage when it is also expanding its global reach.