VOIWORLD/Sumit Chaturvedi
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has appointed Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026 — marking a historic milestone as he becomes the first Indian to lead the company in its 29-year history.
Garg, who currently serves as Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Unsoo Kim, who will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in South Korea.
Announcing the development, HMIL said Garg’s elevation reflects Hyundai’s strong confidence in India’s leadership talent and the country’s rising strategic importance in the global automotive ecosystem.
The company noted that Garg had been identified by Hyundai Motor Company’s global leadership for this role and has been working closely with senior management over the past two years in preparation for the transition.
“Tarun’s appointment as the first Indian national to lead HMIL is a defining moment in our nearly three-decade history,” said José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “He is a transformative leader with a progressive vision and a deep understanding of the Indian market. Under his leadership as COO, HMIL achieved record sales for three consecutive years, record-breaking profits, and successfully completed India’s largest IPO in 2024.”
Outgoing MD & CEO Unsoo Kim also commended Garg’s contributions, saying he played a pivotal role in executing the company’s core initiatives that powered HMIL’s growth in recent years.
Responding to his appointment, Tarun Garg expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me by Hyundai Motor Group,” he said. “India’s automotive sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and I look forward to contributing to HMIL’s continued success and innovation as we enter an exciting new chapter.”
With Garg at the helm, Hyundai Motor India — one of the country’s top carmakers — enters 2026 with renewed focus on leadership, innovation, and expanding its footprint in the fast-evolving Indian market.
Cleaner, Smarter, and More Diverse Powertrains
Incoming MD & CEO Tarun Garg emphasized Hyundai’s goal to offer one of the most diverse portfolios in India’s auto market. “We are set to become one of the few mass-market OEMs to offer a full spectrum of powertrains — ICE, CNG, EV, and Hybrid. More than half our portfolio will be powered by cleaner and sustainable technologies, reflecting our commitment to future-ready mobility,” Garg said.
This vision continues Hyundai’s journey toward greener technologies, building on the success of models like the Venue, which remains a top performer in India’s compact SUV segment.
A Future Fueled by Innovation
With a blend of electric ambitions, product innovation, and localised production, Hyundai Motor India is steering into a new era — one where India stands not just as a market, but as a core pillar of Hyundai’s global growth story.
As the company looks ahead to 2030, its roadmap signals a future defined by innovation, sustainability, and homegrown leadership — setting the stage for a powerful new chapter in India’s automotive landscape.
