Khattar receives prestigious 'Founder's Award'

Mumbai, Mar 21: Maruti Suzuki India's former Managing Director Jagdish Khattar has become the first Indian to receive prestigious J D Power and Associat ''Founder's Award'' for his distinguished service to automotive consumers in the country.

Presenting the award to Mr Khattar in a function here last night, Vice-President and General Manager of international operation at J D Power and Associate Mr John Humphrey said that Mr Khattar was recognised for his outstanding contributions to automotive customers in India. Mr Humphrey said that Maruti Suzuki's customers have responded favourable to the manufacturer's products under Mr Khattar's direction, as evidenced by increases in both sales and market share during his tenure as Managing Director.

Under Khattar's direction sales for Maruti Suzuki increased from nearly Rs 93 billion in 1999 to Rs 173 billion in March 2007.

The company has also received several other awards for various J D Power Asia Pacific syndicated automotive studies conducted in the Indian Market including three consecutive Sales satisfaction Index (SSI) study awards, eight consecutive customers satisfaction Index study awards and awards in initial quality and automotive performance, execution and layout.

J D Power and Associates, having headquartered in Westlake village, Califormia, is a globla marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction.

UNI