Tata Motors appoints Guenter Butschek as CEO & MD

JLR to continue to be managed by its CEO and Director, Ralf Speth, who is also on the Board of Tata Motors

Homegrown auto major Tata Motors today announced appointment of ex-Airbus COO Guenter Butschek as its Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, two years after the death of its former MD Karl Slym.

"Tata Motors has appointed Guenter Butschek as Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director. Butschek will lead all operations of Tata Motors in India and in international markets, including South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and South Africa," the company said in a statement.

Jaguar Land Rover would continue to be managed by its Chief Executive Officer and Director, Ralf Speth, who is also on the Board of Tata Motors, it added.

Butschek (55) is expected to join the company by February, 15, 2016, the company said.

Commenting on the appointment, Tata Motors Chairman Cyrus P Mistry said: "Tata Motors is going through an exciting yet challenging phase and Butschek's appointment comes at an opportune moment. He brings with him rich global experience of growing organizations and developing new markets." Butschek's ability to lead high performing teams will enable the company to achieve sustainable, profitable growth, Mistry added.

The post of Managing Director of Tata Motors has been vacant since the death of Karl Slym on January 26, 2014 after falling from a hotel building in Bangkok. Later Thailand Police had said he had committed suicide.

Butschek joins Tata Motors after his last assignment at Airbus Group where he served as Chief Operating Officer at Airbus and Member of the Group Executive Committee, the company said.

Prior to Airbus, Butschek had worked at Daimler AG for more than 25 years in international automotive management, leading functions like production, industrialisation and procurement. The last role he held in the firm was President and Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Benz Automotive Co.

Ltd, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Beijing Automotive Industrial Holding in Beijing, China.

A Business Administration and Economics graduate, Butschek, brings broad functional and general management skills, and wide international experience to his new role at Tata Motors, the company added.