Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced the appointment of Mr. Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, subject to shareholder approval. This marks a historic milestone as Garg becomes the first Indian national to lead HMIL since its establishment 29 years ago. Currently serving as Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Garg will take over from Unsoo Kim, who will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in South Korea after ensuring a smooth transition.
The appointment, identified and approved by Hyundai Motor Company, underscores the company’s growing confidence in Indian leadership and the increasing strategic significance of India in Hyundai’s global business. Over the past two years, Garg has been working closely with HMC’s top management in preparation for his new role.
Mr. José Muñoz, President and CEO of HMC, said, “Mr. Garg’s appointment as the first Indian national to lead HMIL is a defining moment in our history. He is a transformative leader who combines a deep understanding of the Indian market with a forward-looking vision. Under his guidance as COO, HMIL achieved record sales, record-breaking profits, and completed India’s largest IPO in 2024. He is a people-first leader who believes in long-term success through customer delight and team empowerment.”
Outgoing Managing Director Mr. Kim added, “Having worked closely with Tarun, I have seen his visionary approach and relentless commitment firsthand. I am confident that under his leadership, HMIL will continue to achieve greater success.”
Upon his elevation, Mr. Garg said, “It is an honour to lead Hyundai Motor India at such an exciting time for the industry. India’s automotive market is transforming rapidly, and success will come from excellence across design, manufacturing, and customer experience. I look forward to strengthening HMIL’s legacy of customer trust and innovation, built over nearly three decades.”
As Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Garg will focus on four key pillars: future-focused strategy, market and people centricity, customer orientation, and deeper localisation through Make in India. His vision aims to strengthen Hyundai’s leadership in customer satisfaction, build a robust supply chain, enhance value creation, and expand India’s role as a global export hub.
With over 32 years of automotive experience, he has been instrumental in HMIL’s sustained growth since joining in 2019. He led the company to three consecutive years of record sales and profitability, and spearheaded its landmark IPO in 2024—the largest in India’s equity market history. He also championed digital transformation through the MyHyundai app, HSMART dealer platform, and a direct EV sales channel.
Beyond business, his people-first leadership has been reflected in social initiatives such as “Samarth by Hyundai,” which promotes inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. His leadership style aligns with Hyundai’s global vision of “Progress for Humanity,” focusing on purpose, progress, and people.
Before joining Hyundai, he had an illustrious career at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, rising from Management Trainee to Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts, and Accessories. A Mechanical Engineer from Delhi Technological University and an MBA graduate from IIM Lucknow, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic business insight—qualities that now position him to steer Hyundai Motor India into its next phase of growth and transformation.
