Tata Motors managing director Karl Slym dies after falling from Bangkok hotel

A British national, Slym was leading the company at a time when the auto industry was grappling with prolonged slowdown.

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

Expressing condolences 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.”

Slym was visiting Bangkok for a meeting of the Board of Directors of Tata Motors Thailand Ltd, he added.  

As part of a restructuring exercise, Slym last week had announced a voluntary retirement scheme for a section of employees to rationalise costs.

In December, domestic car sales declined 4.52 per cent from a year earlier to 1,32,561 units.