NEW DELHI: Indian automaker Tata Motors has tapped Martin Uhlarik as its new global design head. The announcement comes in the wake of his predecessor Pratap Bose’s decision to step down.

At present, it is unclear where Bose, who has been with the company for 14 long years, is headed to. He was instrumental in transforming the design language for all of Tata Motors Vehicles, some of which have gone on to win design awards over their lifetimes.

Previously, Uhlarik was working as the head of design for Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC). A 27-year career veteran, he had joined Tata Motors back in 2016 as the head of design in the UK. He is also credited with the development of the Impact 3 generation of vehicles.

Uhlarik will continue to operate from TMETC in the UK, where he will lead teams in the three Tata Motors design centres in Coventry (UK), Turin (Italy) and Pune (India). He will report into Tata Motors president - passenger vehicle business unit Shailesh Chandra.

Tata Motors CEO & managing director Guenter Butschek said, "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Uhlarik as the new global design head of Tata Motors. Martin is an experienced automobile designer with deep domain knowledge of design, keen understanding of international trends and extensive operational experience with leading automobile companies in several geographies. His rich experience and expertise will inspire our teams to further enhance our vehicle design philosophy and language. I take this opportunity to also thank Pratap for his services and wish him the best for the future."

Uhlarik has a degree in industrial design from the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto, Canada and a degree in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland.