Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced the historic appointment of Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective January 1, 2026, pending shareholder approval. This landmark decision marks the first time an Indian national will lead the company since its establishment 29 years ago in 1996, underscoring Hyundai Motor Company’s (HMC) immense confidence in Indian leadership and the strategic importance of the market.
Garg, who currently serves as the Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of HMIL, will succeed Unsoo Kim, who is set to return to a strategic role at HMC in South Korea following a seamless transition. The move is a defining moment, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to nurturing and empowering local talent to drive the brand’s future in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive landscapes.
Tarun Garg is a seasoned industry veteran with over 32 years of experience in the automobile sector. Since joining HMIL in 2019, he has been a pivotal force in the company’s success story. Under his guidance as COO, HMIL achieved record sales for three consecutive years, delivered record-breaking profits, and recorded the highest EBITDA margin in FY24. Crucially, he played a central role as the Chief Orchestrator of HMIL’s landmark Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2024, which stands as the largest public offering in Indian equity market history.
His leadership is defined by a deep market understanding and a focus on customer experience, which has driven digital transformation initiatives like the MyHyundai app and HSMART dealer platform, helping the brand achieve over 90% NPS (Net Promoter Score) across sales and service. This blend of strategic vision and operational excellence positions him perfectly to lead Hyundai’s next phase of growth.
The appointment aligns with Hyundai’s ambitious long-term strategy in India. José Muñoz, President & CEO of HMC, praised Garg’s progressive vision and deep understanding of the Indian customer, stating, “Tarun’s appointment as the first Indian national to lead HMIL is a defining moment in our nearly three-decade history.”
As MD & CEO, Garg’s strategic focus will centre on four key pillars:
- Future Strategy Focussed: Advancing Hyundai’s innovation and next-generation mobility roadmap, including the electric vehicle (EV) segment.
- Market and People Centered: Nurturing and empowering local leadership and talent development.
- Customer Orientation: Reinforcing the legacy of superior customer delight and loyalty.
- Impetus to Make in India: Strengthening local manufacturing, R&D, and export capabilities, building upon the company’s commitment to the Indian economy.
This historic elevation is a strong statement of Hyundai’s deepening roots in India, trusting local expertise to navigate the rapidly evolving market and reinforce its position as the country’s second-largest carmaker.
Key Highlights:
- Tarun Garg has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), effective January 1, 2026.
- He is the first Indian national to lead HMIL in the company’s 29-year history, succeeding Unsoo Kim.
- Garg, currently COO, played a key role in achieving record sales and profits, the highest EBITDA margin in FY24, and orchestrating India’s largest IPO in 2024.
- His leadership signals a strong focus on local expertise, customer-centricity, and strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative within Hyundai’s strategic roadmap.