Carl-Peter Forster, newly-appointed CEO of Tata Motors, told reporters in New Delhi to give him 100 days “to get to grips with the job”.
“I am enthused by having this opportunity to work for an Indian company with such high business ethics… and in such a fast-growing market,” Forster said at his first appearance in his new job.
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Forster, 55 the former head of General Motors’ European operations, has overall responsibility for US$14bn Tata Motors’ global activities in his new role for the 65 year old company which wants to expand both domestically and globally.
“People normally get 100 days, plus or minus. Give me that time and we’ll meet again,” Forster told a news conference.
Although Tata owns UK luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover and its Nano, claimed to be the world’s cheapest car, received worldwide publicity, analysts believe that Tata Motors is not well known internationally and Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has said previously that he wants to expand “far beyond India”.
Ratan Tata said Forster’s appointment would “greatly facilitate” the company’s ambition of “being a truly international company”.
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By GlobalDataForster will be based at the company’s Mumbai headquarters.
“He has experience in overseas markets, especially in Europe, where Tata is seeking to build up its products. Tata will be able to go global more aggressively with him,” said Vaishali Jajoo, analyst at Mumbai’s Angel Broking.
