Tata Motors Hires Ex-Opel Boss, Carl-Peter Forster as Group CEO

The former boss of General Motors Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, has been hired by India's largest automobile manufacturer, Tata Motors, as the group's Chief Executive Officer with overall responsibility of Tata Motors Operations globally, including Jaguar and Land Rover, the company announced.

Up until November of 2009, the 55-year-old executive was the head of General Motors Europe, where he looked after Opel/Vauxhall, Saab and the European activities of Chevrolet.

Forster stepped down as the company's president after objecting to GM's decision to reverse a sale of its European operations to a Magna-led consortium.

Prior to joining General Motors in 2001, Forster worked for the BMW Group for 13 years holding various positions including that of Managing Director of BMW South Africa and was also on the Managing Board of BMW responsible for manufacturing.

In an official statement, Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Indian company said, "Tata Motors expects that Mr. Forster's induction will greatly facilitate its ambition towards being a truly international company."