Former Maruti Suzuki MD Jagdish Khattar passes away

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Former Maruti Suzuki MD Jagdish Khattar passes away (Image: Twitter/ians_india)
Former Maruti Suzuki MD Jagdish Khattar passes away (Image: Twitter/ians_india)

Mumbai : Former managing director of Maruti Suzuki India, Jagdish Khattar, passed away on Monday. He suffered a cardiac arrest in the morning, according to people close to him.

79-year-old businessman was considered as one of the most high profile leaders of the Indian automotive industry. He was the man who laid foundation for Maruti's future growth after the government began its disinvestment in 2002. 

In 1993, he joined then Maruti Maruti Udyog Ltd as director (marketing) and grew to become an executive director (marketing) in the next six years. He was promoted as joint managing director in 1999, a year that saw various disagreements between SMC and the government.

Khattar was appointed to the post of MD of Maruti Udyog Ltd, as per an agreement between the partners, who agreed to appoint their nominee for a three-year term.

He was reappointed as the MD in 2002, when Maruti and Suzuki officially parted their ways. 

In 2007, he retired from the top post in the country's largest carmaker, having ensured that the company commanded 50 per cent of the passenger vehicles market in India despite growing competition from global players.

Now, when he has left all of us, we hope that his soul rests in peace.