Tarun Garg to become 1st Indian MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India from Jan 2026
New Delhi, Oct 15
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Tarun Garg as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective January 1, 2026.
Garg, who is currently serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer (COO), will be the first Indian to lead Hyundai Motor India since the company began operations in 1996.
The announcement comes as current Managing Director Unsoo Kim prepares to return to South Korea for a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company on December 31, 2025.
Until then, Garg will serve as MD & CEO Designate, the company said in a regulatory filing to the BSE.
"The board placed on record its appreciation for the valuable contribution and guidance provided by Unsoo Kim during his association with the company," HMIL said in its statement.
Garg, a mechanical engineer from Delhi Technological University and an MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, has more than three decades of experience in the automobile industry.
Before joining Hyundai, he worked with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, where he held several key leadership positions including Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts, and Accessories.
Hyundai praised Garg for his deep understanding of market dynamics and ability to develop forward-looking strategies.
During his tenure at HMIL, he has been instrumental in expanding the company's market presence, strengthening profitability, and leading new initiatives in digital marketing, rural expansion, and the used-car segment.
Garg also played a key role in introducing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) across nine Hyundai models in India, while improving sales quality and customer satisfaction.
In a statement, Hyundai said Garg's appointment is part of its long-term transformation plan to strengthen its foundation in India and accelerate its journey toward becoming a smart mobility solutions provider.
Between April and August this year, Hyundai Motor India sold 2,20,233 units in the domestic market, down 11.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY), according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see Indian talent getting recognized at the highest levels. His background from DTU and IIM Lucknow shows the quality of Indian education system. Hope he brings more innovation to Hyundai's EV lineup in India.
While I appreciate the appointment, I hope Hyundai doesn't just use this as a token Indian face. The real test will be whether he gets genuine autonomy to make strategic decisions for the Indian market. Sales have been declining, so he has his work cut out.
As someone who owns a Hyundai Creta, I'm excited about this change. An Indian CEO will better understand local customer preferences and road conditions. Looking forward to more India-specific features in future models!
His work on ADAS implementation across 9 models shows he understands the importance of safety features for Indian roads. Hope he focuses on making advanced safety features more affordable for the mass market. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
This is inspiring for young Indian engineers and management graduates. From DTU to IIM to leading a major automotive company - truly a desi success story! More power to Indian professionals taking leadership roles in MNCs. 🙌
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