GM Europe boss Forster may take charge of JLR

Forster led GM Europe through its recent turbulent negotiations

The departing boss of General Motors Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, is all set to take charge of Indian conglomerate Tata group-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in the next few months, a media report has said.

Quoting German sources, the Sunday Times said, “Forster was likely to be appointed to a senior role at Tata Motors, owner of Jaguar Land Rover, and would take charge of the group’s British operations.”

Tata Motors bought Jaguar Land Rover, which employs 15,000 people, from Ford for £1.3 billion in June 2008.

The report, citing senior sources in Frankfurt and Detroit, said: “Forster...was sounded out about the job earlier in the year, and is expected to join within a few months.”

Forster was responsible for leading GM Europe through its recent turbulent negotiations with the German government and would-be buyer Magna. Besides, he has had some success in moving the Opel brand upmarket. On November 6, GM Europe, owner of brands like Opel and Vauxhall, had said that Forster was leaving.

Forster, 55, made his name as a fast-rising star at BMW in the 1990s and was head of production at the German car maker during its ownership of MG Rover and Land Rover.

The Tata Group declined to comment, the Sunday Times said.