V.Sumantran resigns as vice-chairman of Hinduja Automotive

V.Sumantran one of the personalities instrumental in helping Ashok Leyland enter the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, has resigned as executive vice-chairman of Hinduja Automotive Ltd and also from the board of the company. His last day in office will be on the March 31, 2014. He will though continue to serve the Hinduja Group in the capacity of an advisor.Dr Sumantran has overseen the launch of models like Dost SCV, Stile MPV, Partner truck and MiTR bus all of which have had a good response from the market.

L-R: MS Dhoni with Ashok Leyland vice chairman V Sumantran and ALL executive director (LCV) Nitin Seth at the Stile launchThe automobile industry is abuzz with rumoursthat Sumantran has resigned to fill in the gap created by the untimely death of Tata Motors CEO Karl Slym for which he is viewed as one of the top contenders. Sumantran has previously worked with Tata as head of its Engineering & Research Centre from 2001 to 2005. However, he has categorically stated in his resignation that he wants to pursue interests in academia, research and consulting. It though remains to be seen if he will rejoin Tata Motors or not.V Sumantran said: ''When I had joined the Board, getting Ashok Leyland into the LCV business wasa major objective. Now, with the launch of the Partner and Mitr, we have seen completion of the firstphase of our cooperation with Nissan. This was a suitable juncture for me to look to pursuing otherinterests, including some work with academia, research and consulting. I have the privilege to work witha phenomenally motivated and accomplished team, supportive share-holders and highly experiencedBoard colleagues and management. I wish them every success in the years ahead.''