New CEO for Jaguar Land Rover parent Tata Motors

JAGUAR Land Rover parent, Tata Motors has appointed a new chief executive.

Guenter Butschek, who also assumes the role of the division’s managing director, is the first person to hold the office since the mysterious death of former CEO Karl Slym in January 2014.

Slym died after falling from the 22nd floor to the 4th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok where he was to attend a meeting of Tata Motors Thailand. His death has never been explained.

In his new role, Butschek will lead all of Tata Motors’ operations in India and in international markets including South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and South Africa.
 
Jaguar Land Rover will continue to be managed by its Chief Executive Officer and Director, Dr Ralf Speth, who is also on the board of Tata Motors.

Butschek, 55, who is expected to join the company next month, is the previous Chief Operating Officer of aircraft manufacturer Airbus, where he was also a of the group’s Executive Committee.

Prior to Airbus, Butschek worked at Daimler for more than 25 years, leading functions like production, industrialisation and procurement. The last role he held was President and Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Benz Automotive Co, a joint venture between Daimler and Beijing Automotive Industrial Holding in Beijing.

Butschek graduated in Business Administration and Economics with a diploma from the University of Cooperative Education Stuttgart, Germany.

Tata said his appointment brought broad functional and general management skills to the business.

Cyrus Mistry, Chairman, Tata Motors, said: “Tata Motors is going through an exciting yet challenging phase and Mr Butschek’s appointment comes at an opportune moment. He brings with him rich global experience of growing organizations and developing new markets. I am confident that Mr Butschek’s ability to lead high performing teams will enable our company to achieve sustainable, profitable growth.”