[Mr.Beat]

Absolutely tragic and sad!
It would really have been great to see TAMO turn a new leaf under the leadership of this man. I'm sure he has sown the seeds but it is unfortunate that he will not be able to see it through.

Sad day for the Indian Automobile Industry

[itwasntme]

Everything points towards a suicide at this point of time.

Seems a 3 page suicide note was found plus the window from where he jumped was pretty small and not an 'accident-prone' one.

Could have been a combination of things like the GM India scandal happening on his watch (with more than 20 people already sacked from GM India and GM Inc.), his grossly damaged professional reputation and the huge pressure at TML to turn things around.

Trust me, the sustained institutionalized manipulation of COP at GM India (see the Mint link posted by directinjection) is/was a very serious matter. Given the reputational risk to TML, if the authorities pressed charges against Slym (was expected soon), TML would have definitely asked him to step down from his post till exonerated. Look at it like this, if he had continued at his GM India CEO post, he would have been sacked 6 months back itself by GM Inc.

Whatever it is, a very sad way to go. He certainly was a breath of fresh air compared to most of his counterparts! There was no doubting his enthusiasm to automobiles and the industry in general.

[harishpr]

A sad news to start the day.
Karl knew the Indian market quite well, and was the best bet for Tata to turnaround things.
The industry will miss his contribution.
Let's not speculate too much on the actual cause, since it's a tough time for his family to overcome the personal loss. Our speculations will only make things harder for his near and dear ones.

[S.MJet]

This is shocking.
RIP Karl. May his family find courage to bear this loss.

Sad news for Indian auto sector & Tata Motors particularly.

Thai police suspecting suicide? Looks strange.

[ram_hyundai]

It would definetly be the effect of GM issues and TMI pressure which could be the trigger.
Still lot to come up as investigation proceeds.

ram

[Maverick79]

A Great person to loose. Not only for TML but for the entire Automotive Industry.
He had a very good plan for TML recovery.
He was literally 'slimming' down the entire organization in a very right way top make it profitable at the earliest.
I was feeling, similar kind of efforts were lined up/ executed by Allan for recovering Ford from red status in the early 2000's.

Hope his family is taken care properly!

R.I.P - Karl.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by S.MJet

This is shocking.
RIP Karl. May his family find courage to bear this loss.

Sad news for Indian auto sector & Tata Motors particularly.

Thai police suspecting suicide? Looks strange.

Was completely shocked to read the news item that said that he fell from the 22nd Floor to the 4th Floor and left a suicide note behind, which facts have led the Thai police to consider this as suicide!

Its crazy. Unbelievable. He was a successful, much liked and well respected Senior Exec. Probably one of the most unlikely candidates for such a step.

[rajchetan]

R.I.P Karl..

But what ever be the cause or situation, SUICIDE is no way to end life. Its hard for close people and in particular family to handle it.

Hope god give strength to his family n friends..

Very Very big lose for the Automobile Industry, Just hope this dose not dampen the sprite in TATA Motors.

[abirnale]

RIP Karl.

You were witness to many challenges in the past. You have successfully led business like GM out of thick and thin. Tata Motors was next on the cards. I still can't believe that there is a situation which needed "you" to decide with your life. You have fought many downturns, impossible ones too and won them. I hope its just accidental.

Our prayers are with your family.

[sgiitk]

Very sad indeed. Karl RIP.

apparently a three page note has been found in his room and the Thai's are treating it as possible suicide.

[Pajero]

Very shocking and Tragic!

We were gearing up to see this Industry pioneer to reveal his big plans for TML in his first Auto Expo as the TML chief. His contribution to the Indian Auto Industry can never be forgotten. My prayers with his family.

Good to see other brands also sending their condolences: https://twitter.com/Nissan_India/sta...32992554766337

RIP Karl Slym.

[drive_factor]

Karl's untimely passing away is a tragedy but it is a huge travesty to speculate and attribute unsubstantiated reasons. There was even a highly irresponsible mention of 'murder' in one of the previous post. As per reports he was checked in with his wife thus such conjunctures are damaging. The family, company anr d community will be better served if we are more circumspect.

From all accounts he was doing great at work. The GM issues was impacting him minimally and TML would have backed him solidly in case of any reverses. He had Board's full confidence. They were supporting new investments on his initiatives which are just starting to blossom. The moral within Tata Motor was very high as they knew what they are doing is right. Thus professional reasons for the alleged act of suicide doesn’t add up.

Many of our forum members have met him and commented on his jovial nature. He was an unconventional leader and didn’t need to be a hard taskmaster. On him one could trust and surrender fully. Karl made a wonderful pair with his spouse and she accompanied him everywhere. Even the Thai meeting was over a couple of days ago and they were taking a weekend break at BKK

How does it effect TML? In the short run there is a huge vacuum. The Auto Expo was to be platform to unveil many new works. The T1 Prima racing fixture was his brainchild and made excellent sense. These will be impacted undoubtedly.

Fortunately in the mid and long term TML has enough resilience to overcome such setback. It also helps that Karl had deployed the road map for next few years. They just need to follow this to regain TML's past glory. Right people are now in place this is a new breed.

To fill in the leadership vacuum it is possible that Ralf Speth is given dual charge for the interim. There is also speculation that Ravi Kant can come in. The board will surely meet to take a call soon.

[svsantosh]

1) Sorry for the family of the bereaved. 50 is no age to leave family and kids behind.

2) For TML, what next? As such it was not a bed of roses for last 2-3 years and now this. Hope things look up.

Will RatanJi do a NRN-infy? Thats something decent and respectable enough to speculate.

RIP Karl

[rdhawan15]

Sad news; RIP Karl.

I think, as a mark of respect, we should not debate about suicide/murder theories. He was a capable guy and any untimely loss is a big grief to the family and loved ones. Hope and pray they come out of this shocking sad demise of Karl soon.

[GrammarNazi]

'Murder' / 'Competitors' : Guys, Please! Let us not speculate (atleast for time being in THIS thread). It will not bring him back. It'll only make his friends / family feel worse.