Sumantran resigns from Tata Motors

Barely a fortnight after Tata Motors appointed Ravi Kant as managing director, a key executive has left the company. V Sumantran, executive director, passenger car business, and the one who played a crucial role in the revival of Indica's fortunes, today put in his papers.

"Sumantran's last date with Tata Motors will be mutually decided between him and the company at a future date," said a Tata Motors spokesperson.

Sumantran, 46, had taken the decision to pursue other interests, he added.

The spokesperson said the company's research and development efforts would continue unhindered and that Tata Motors would begin the "tooling exercise" for its Rs 1-lakh-car project shortly.

Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata had roped in Sumantran to help turn Tata Motors into a global player. He joined Tata Motors in November 2001 after leaving a senior position in General Motors' R&D centre in Michigan, US.

Aerodynamics was his area of research at General Motors."It has been a privilege to have worked with Ratan Tata and to have been a part of Tata Motors during the turnaround phase of the company's recent performance. I leave the company with a lot of goodwill and good feelings," Sumantran said.

Ratan Tata said, "Sumantran has contributed significantly to the company during his association. I wish him all success in his future career."