The orders for the appointment of Khattar as the second managing director, besides RSSLN Bhaskarudu has been issued by the industry ministry, official sources said. The appointment of Khattar is as per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Government and Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, 50:50 partners in the venture, early last year.

Khattar, a 1965 batch IAS officer, joined Maruti as its director in 1993 after resigning from the civil services. He will take over as the sole managing director of the Rs 8,500 crore auto company, which has about 80 per cent market share in the car market, on January 1, 2000 when Bhaskarudu retires. Khattar will be the government's nominee for the post of managing director.