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Strategies & Market Trends : India Coffee House -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mohan Marette who wrote (3418)	12/22/1998 10:26:00 AM
From: Mohan Marette	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12475

Commitment drives this ex-Chrysler man Mohan Nair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PUNE 21 DECEMBER JOE CONSIGLIO is a technical consultant for Telco's ambitious car project, Indica. The 60-year-old ex-international manufacturing executive of Chrysler Corporation had sought premature retirement to take up the assignment in India. He spoke to The Economic Times at Telco's Pune test track in the background of screeching tyres. What made you quit your cushy job at Chrysler to take up an assignment in a Third World country? I am not new to Telco. I was part of the Chrysler team which held talks with Telco two years ago to explore the possibilities of developing a relationship. However, that did not work out because of changes in the top management at Chrysler. But I was impressed with the work culture and competence of the Telco employees. They are simply superb. What was your brief when you joined? Make Telco a world-class car manufacturer. Telco wanted a clean break from the past production practices. Also a change in attitude. That's how I came into the picture. I am leading the team in manufacturing and maintenance of quality. Are you happy with what you have at your command? Is it comparable with that at Chrysler? Telco has super people. The knowledge base is very high. There is no comparison. The facility is world-class. The employees are much more qualified than an average worker in any international auto factory. I see the commitment as a driving force. On the technological front, how would you rate Telco? We have gone through various phases of production trials successfully before the final commercial production of the car. In all, we will have produced 200 cars before the first car is handed over to the customer. I am told, in the case of Safari, the second vehicle went to the customer. The cars that you see on the test tracks will go to the dealers for demonstration and customer trials and are not for sale. Obviously, much better manufacturing discipline is applied for making the Indica. How do you rate Indica, quality-wise? It is comparable with any other new car on Indian roads. In quality, we are there. We now need to fine-tune it. I have one month to do it when the first car is handed over to the customer. What is unique about Telco? The cars' high indigenous content and level of dedication of the employees. They have put together a car from design-freeze stage to production in 31 months. That's hell of an achievement. Do you like India? I haven't seen much of India. The six months that I have been here I have travelled between Telco's Pimpri factory and Pune. That too with the help of a driver who needs the whole road because formerly he was driving a bus. I understand you have came to India without your family. Aren't you missing them? My wife is happy taking care of the children and the children her. The Indica takes care of me. economictimes.com