Tata Motors Managing Director Karl Slym Dies from “Hotel Fall” in Bangkok

Tata Motors Managing Director Karl Slym was in Bangkok to attend a meeting of the board of directors of Tata Motors Thailand Ltd

 

BANGKOK – Tata Motors Managing Director Karl Slym died on Sunday, after “apparently” falling from the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok. Slym was in Bangkok to attend the Board of Directors meeting of Tata Motors Thailand Limited.

While exact details of the incident were not available, according to a company spokesperson, Slym seems to have fallen from a higher floor of a hotel in Bangkok.

Shangri-La hotel Bangkok

 For Slym, 51, it was not an easy ride leading the company at a time when the auto industry was grappling with prolonged slowdown.

 He joined the Indian auto major in 2012 as part of a major management overhaul and was responsible for charting out the company’s strategy to regain momentum in the domestic market.

 Expressing condolence at the sudden demise, Tata Motors Chairman Cyrus P. Mistry said, “Karl (Slym) joined us in October 2012, and was a valued colleague who was providing strong leadership at a challenging time for the Indian auto industry. In this hour of grief, our thoughts are with Karl’s wife and family.”

 Before joining Tata Motors, Slym was the executive vice-president, SGMW Motors, China (a General Motors Joint Venture). Prior to that, he was president, managing director and board member of General Motors in India between 2007 and 2011.

 For over two decades, Slym was with Toyota and General Motors in various positions across geographies.

 Industry body SIAM said it is deeply grieved to hear about the untimely and sudden demise of Karl Slym.

 “We have lost a well-wisher in Karl at a time when the company as well as the industry most needed his global expertise, leadership and guidance,” said Vikram Kirloskar, president, SIAM.