Here at TopSpeed, we don't pay much attention to Tata Motors->ke3001, mostly because it does not produce high-performance supercars->ke177. Today, however, we bring you tragic news concerning the company, as its managing director Karl Slym died yesterday after a fall from a Bangkok hotel. While the circumstances of his death were not disclosed initially, it is now rumored that the police are investigating his death as a possible suicide.
The incident happened at a Bangkok hotel where Slym was attending a board meeting. According to reports, a suicide note was found in Slym's hotel room on the 22nd floor. Police are still investigating his death and a final ruling will be announced in about a week, following an autopsy.
Before joining Tata Motors, Karl Slym worked for Toyota->ke88 UK, and then General Motors->ke1024 in India and China. Slym was named managing director of Tata Motors in October 2012.
As you probably expected, Slym's death also affected Tata's shares: this morning they tumbled almost 5 percent in Mumbai.
Click past the jump to read more about Tata's best-known car, the Nano.
The Tata Nano was unveiled back in 2008 at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Despite its odd look, the Nano has enjoyed plenty of success on the Indian market; at least until the model faced some mysterious fire problems.
The small city car is powered by a 623 cc (0.62-liter), all-aluminum, two-cylinder engine that delivers just 33 horsepower to the rear wheels.
At launch the model was offered in both standard and deluxe versions, all offered with a wide range of body colors, and other accessories.