Ex-chief of GM Europe is now Group CEO of Tata Motors

GTO · 15th February 2010, 18:39

Lets hope that Tata can leverage his BMW (where he was a board member) & GM Europe experience. Carl-Peter Forster was head of GM Europe and a staunch supporter of the sale of Opel. When GM did a U-turn on the Opel deal, Forster quit (within 3 days of the announcement).

His to-do list will include Tata Motor's global businesses, and Jag / Land Rover.

Quote:

Mumbai, February 15, 2010: Tata Motors has appointed Mr. Carl-Peter Forster as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company. He will have the overall responsibility of Tata Motors Operations globally, including Jaguar Land Rover.

Mr. Forster, 55 years, has twenty-four years of international experience in the automobile industry. Most recently he was the head of General Motors, Europe, where he looked after Opel/Vauxhall, Saab and the European activities of Chevrolet. Before joining General Motors in 2001, Mr. Forster has had 13 years of experience in BMW where he held various positions including that of Managing Director of BMW South Africa and was also on the Managing Board of BMW responsible for manufacturing.

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors expects that Mr. Forster’s induction will greatly facilitate its ambition towards being a truly international company.”

rpmx1000 · 15th February 2010, 19:03

This was a step in the right direction. Tata is now the first truly global Indian MNC in the auto field. Good to see this and thanks for the news GTO.

It will be interesting to know how he would position Tata products now. Hopefully he will need time to grasp where they are first and then figure out where to take them.

No matter what, Ratan Tata is a man who commands deep respect for all that he has done. Sure some decisions have backfired but it is the way the company responds that truly brings out the best. Hope this guy takes TML to the top ten at least!

Nikhilb2008 · 15th February 2010, 19:10

This chap is replacing Ravi Kant right?

Mpower · 15th February 2010, 19:43

I think Ravi Kant still stays. Forester will be overseeing JLR, Daewoo, TATA and TACO in India. Almost taking over Ratan Tata's responsibilities. JLR CEO was recently ousted to make way for him.

Ram_NP · 15th February 2010, 19:59

That's really a good move by Mr. Ratan Tata. Tata motors plan of attaining greater global sales will certainly get a boost.

It remains to be seen how Mr. Forster's experience will benifit Tata motor's Indian operation, especially to compete with Maruti and Hyundai.

ajmat · 15th February 2010, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

JLR CEO was recently ousted to make way for him.

That guy was quite capable and steered JLR through the financial crisis. Unfortunately he is an adept numbers man and not a holistic car guy. Was tough to keep him on with higher expectations or keep him on and lower his expectations. Life is cruel at the top

StarVegabond · 15th February 2010, 20:14

I do not think this new guy would take over the responsibilities of Mr. Ratan Tata. Mr. Tata is the chairman of Tata Group and its group companies.

This guy has been given specific agenda.. to realize Tata Motor's global ambitions...it is as simple as that. What it means (in my view)

1. Turn around JLR business
2. Develop Tata Motor's (LMV, LCV, Passenger cars) business globally
3. Develop Components business globally (Taco)
4. Culturally integrate the Global businesses with Indian parent or transfuse global outlook/mindsets into Indian Parent.
5. Deliver consistant, predictable growth in revenues and profits.

Mr. Ravikant has been a piller (tent pole) of Tata Motors for near about a decade. I am sure Mr. Tata would have some specific role cut out for Mr. Ravikant.

athul_S · 15th February 2010, 20:18

Ravi Kant will most likely continue to spearhead the operations in India

Mpower · 15th February 2010, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Life is cruel at the top

It is indeed ! once you're at the top step, you cannot take a step back...they just push you off the terrace.

Hope he had a good severance package.

GM lost Fritz Henderson in this cruel game.

teamveevee · 15th February 2010, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

I think Ravi Kant still stays. Forester will be overseeing JLR, Daewoo, TATA and TACO in India. Almost taking over Ratan Tata's responsibilities. JLR CEO was recently ousted to make way for him.

News reports say, Tata is still looking for a new CEO for JLR. It looks like, all the divisions will have its own CEO to run day to day operations, but Mr Foster will look after the overall global operations.
One limitation i see is Mr Foster do not have any Commercial vehicle experience. With World Truck and Global Bus platform, TM need to focus on Global commercial vehicles scene also.
According to me the immediate priorities
1) Help JLR come out of red
2) Electric Cars ( Indica) in Norway and other Europian Countries
3) Launch Nano Europe.
4) Grow TACO to a global parts supplier in the lines of Delphi and Visteon.
5) Launch of Work truck in new markets.

safari_lover · 15th February 2010, 23:27

Will he be based in India or UK? Does this mean the current MD of TaMo would report to him?

GTO · 19th February 2010, 10:10

And a new Jag chief comes onboard too.

From Tata's Press release:

Quote:

Jaguar Land Rover today announced the appointment of Dr. Ralf Speth as the Chief Executive Officer with overall responsibility for the Company's operations. He will report to Mr Carl-Peter Forster, the recently appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Tata Motors.

Dr. Speth, 54 years, has over 22 years experience in the European auto industry, most of which was at BMW where his last appointment was Vice President, Land Rover. Later he was Director Production, Quality and Product Planning at Premier Automotive Group of Ford Ltd. After that, Dr. Speth has been with the Linde Group where he was the Head of Global Operations reporting to the Chairman.

Mr Ravi Kant, Vice Chairman, Tata Motors said "The introduction of Dr. Ralf Speth into Jaguar Land Rover under the guidance of Carl-Peter Forster will considerably strengthen the management of the Company and enhance the position and reputation of the two iconic brands in line with the long term strategy of the Company."

Latheesh · 19th February 2010, 10:16

I think it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see Tata Motors in the list of top 10 car manufacturers by 2020.

ajmat · 19th February 2010, 10:31

In other words, Ralf is a protege of the famous Wolfgang Reiztle - the man who engineered BMW to what it was before Ford took him in after the BMW boardroom spat over Rover.

Jag needs a petrolhead at the top which David Smith was not although he was a competent financial guy. He stepped in when he predecessor tragically died of cancer.

Am sure Ravikant will head Tata Motors (not the overall group) or move within the Tata group

teamveevee · 19th February 2010, 11:59

So what is next, Like the global auto majors, Split TM to Passenger Cars and Commerical vehicles divisions with seperate management and independent charge, reporting to Mr Foster?
Looks like TM right now focussed on Cars. I hope commercial vehicles, bread & butter of TM will not get neglected. Right now, lot of new entrants are coming to the Indian CV segment, and TM cannot afford to loose its focus.

15th February 2010, 19:03	#2
rpmx1000 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 396 Thanked: 36 Times	This was a step in the right direction. Tata is now the first truly global Indian MNC in the auto field. Good to see this and thanks for the news GTO. It will be interesting to know how he would position Tata products now. Hopefully he will need time to grasp where they are first and then figure out where to take them. No matter what, Ratan Tata is a man who commands deep respect for all that he has done. Sure some decisions have backfired but it is the way the company responds that truly brings out the best. Hope this guy takes TML to the top ten at least!
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 19:10	#3
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,137 Times	This chap is replacing Ravi Kant right?
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 19:43	#4
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,729 Times View My Garage	I think Ravi Kant still stays. Forester will be overseeing JLR, Daewoo, TATA and TACO in India. Almost taking over Ratan Tata's responsibilities. JLR CEO was recently ousted to make way for him. Last edited by Mpower : 15th February 2010 at 19:45.
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 19:59	#5
Ram_NP BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 354 Thanked: 23 Times	That's really a good move by Mr. Ratan Tata. Tata motors plan of attaining greater global sales will certainly get a boost. It remains to be seen how Mr. Forster's experience will benifit Tata motor's Indian operation, especially to compete with Maruti and Hyundai.
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 20:14	#7
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 42 Times	I do not think this new guy would take over the responsibilities of Mr. Ratan Tata. Mr. Tata is the chairman of Tata Group and its group companies. This guy has been given specific agenda.. to realize Tata Motor's global ambitions...it is as simple as that. What it means (in my view) 1. Turn around JLR business 2. Develop Tata Motor's (LMV, LCV, Passenger cars) business globally 3. Develop Components business globally (Taco) 4. Culturally integrate the Global businesses with Indian parent or transfuse global outlook/mindsets into Indian Parent. 5. Deliver consistant, predictable growth in revenues and profits. Mr. Ravikant has been a piller (tent pole) of Tata Motors for near about a decade. I am sure Mr. Tata would have some specific role cut out for Mr. Ravikant.
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 20:18	#8
athul_S BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore/Calic Posts: 26 Thanked: 5 Times	Ravi Kant will most likely continue to spearhead the operations in India
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 23:27	#11
safari_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bengaluru / Bagdal Posts: 1,135 Thanked: 685 Times	Will he be based in India or UK? Does this mean the current MD of TaMo would report to him?
	() Thanks

19th February 2010, 10:16	#13
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,241 Thanked: 10,070 Times	I think it is a step in the right direction. I would like to see Tata Motors in the list of top 10 car manufacturers by 2020.
	() Thanks

19th February 2010, 10:31	#14
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,858 Thanked: 27,925 Times View My Garage	In other words, Ralf is a protege of the famous Wolfgang Reiztle - the man who engineered BMW to what it was before Ford took him in after the BMW boardroom spat over Rover. Jag needs a petrolhead at the top which David Smith was not although he was a competent financial guy. He stepped in when he predecessor tragically died of cancer. Am sure Ravikant will head Tata Motors (not the overall group) or move within the Tata group
	() Thanks

19th February 2010, 11:59	#15
teamveevee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kottayam Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 155 Times	So what is next, Like the global auto majors, Split TM to Passenger Cars and Commerical vehicles divisions with seperate management and independent charge, reporting to Mr Foster? Looks like TM right now focussed on Cars. I hope commercial vehicles, bread & butter of TM will not get neglected. Right now, lot of new entrants are coming to the Indian CV segment, and TM cannot afford to loose its focus.
	() Thanks