Jaguar Land Rover names GM chief as new boss
18 February 2010
Jaguar Land Rover, the Indian-owned British-based car manufacturer, has appointed a German as its new boss.
Three weeks after parting company with David Smith, the chief executive who had overseen the $2.3 billion sale of Jaguar Land Rover from Ford in 2008, Tata Motors. the Midlands carmakers owners. today said it has hired Carl-Peter Forster to take charge.
Most recently head of the European end of General Motors including Vauxhall, Mr Forster has been appointed as chief executive of Tata Motors across all its global operations and with special responsibility for overseeing growth at its Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
Mr Forster comes in as Jaguar Land Rovers fortunes appear to be turning.
Tata today reported that global sales of Land Rover more than tripled in January from the same month last year to 13,295. Sales of Jaguar cars more than doubled to 2,974 over the same period. There are high hopes for the introduction of new models like the Jaguar XJ and the new Range Rover LRX
It follows an awful 2009 when, especially earlier in the year, sales had plummeted. Even after a stronger last few months, Land Rover sales are down 16 per cent in the financial year and Jaguar sales are off 30 per cent.
Mr Forsters immediate tough decisions will include the restructuring of Jaguar Land Rovers Midland operations where workers have been told that either the Solihull plant, which makes the Range Rover, or the Jaguar plant in Castle Bromwich is to close.
Mr Forster arrives with a big reputation in the industry having, prior to eight years with GM Europe, spent 13 years in senior positions with BMW.
