Automotive Personalities of 2011

Anand Mahindra

This man needs no introduction in the automotive world. Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the billion dollar Mahindra & Mahindra empire, Anand Mahindra has been instrumental in shaping the company’s rising global stature. His active involvement in Mahindra’s participation in the MotoGP season this year ended in great excitement when he took the sheets of Mahindra’s Moto3 bike, the MGP30 at Valencia. Anand Mahindra  was also appointed as Honorary Ambassador of Foreign Investment for Korea in November this year.

Cyrus Mistry
Yes, he is Ratan Tata’s successor and in many ways resembles the Business giant he has been chosen to replace. The youngest son of construction baron Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Cyrus hails from one of the richest Indian families. He has been managing director of Shapoorji Pallonji & Company, which is part of the Rs 15,000-crore Shapoorji Pallonji Group (SP Group). However, once appointed as Chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus will disassociate himself from the family business to avoid conflict of interest

Karl Slym
Karl Slym has held the post of President and Managing Director of GM India since October 1, 2007 and in his four year tenure has headed key operations in GM’s expansion in the Indian passenger car market, though brand Chevrolet. With Chevrolet’s extensive model line-up now cruising along the Indian streets and the company’s long-term growth strategy now in place, Karl Slym, now moves to GM's largest operations in China as Executive Vice President of SAIC and Wuling Motors, which manufactures a growing lineup of mini-commercial vehicles and passenger cars. He will be replaced by Lowell Paddock, who has been appointed President and Managing Director of General Motors India, effective January 1, 2012.

Wilfred Aulbur
As Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, Dr.Wilfried Aulber has seen the luxury car brand grow into a household name in India. With a constant eye over the extensive production operations at the company’s Chakan facility, Dr.Aulber has been an ideal ambassador for the Merc brand in India. Having announced his retirement earlier this year, he has been replaced by Mr Peter T Honegg, who has succeeded Dr. Wilfried Aulbur as the new MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India. Mr Honegg has been with Daimler AG since 1976.

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Karun Chandhok
The blue-eyed boy of Indian F1, Karun Chandhok is the only Indian driver besides Narain Karthikeyan to race in a Formula One car. He is currently a test driver for Team Lotus and continues to encourage motorsports and the thrill for Formula One racing amongst his fellow countrymen. At the inaugural Indian GP, Karun drove the Team Lotus Formula One race car at the new Buddh International Circuit during the Free Practice runs, which were conducted in front of his home crowd.

Shri Manoj Gaur
As Executive Chairman and CEO of the Jaypee Group, Shri Manoj Gaur comes with vast experience in the industry and has played a big hand in executing the creation of the Buddh International  Circuit, which was the venue for the first ever Indian Grand Prix.

Carl Peter Foster
As the former CEO and managing director of Tata Motors, Carl Peter Foster is a veteran of the auto industry, and earlier worked with BMW where he held various positions, including that of Managing Director of BMW South Africa and was also on the Managing Board of BMW responsible for manufacturing. A former head of General Motors, Europe, Forster had joined Tata Motors as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company in February, 2010. In a statement to the company in September this year  Forster said that he had ceased to be the Group CEO and Managing Director of Tata Motors with immediate effect, due to his unavoidable personal circumstances.

Aditya Patel
Aditya Patel debuted internationally in 2009 with the Volkswagen Polo Cup in Germany. In 2010 he graduated to Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup. Recently concluded season of Scirocco R-Cup 2011 saw him finish fifth overall including a win and two podiums. A major milestone for Aditya in December this year was receiving a rare opportunity to test the Audi R8 for ADAC GT Masters in Oschersleben. Aditya stated that if he could drive the ADAC GT Masters or a GT3 Ca in a championship next year, that would be a dream come true for him.