Tarun Garg to take over as Hyundai India's MD & CEO from January 1

Garg will be the first Indian to lead the company since it started operations in 1996

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) on Wednesday announced Tarun Garg as its next managing director and chief executive officer (MD and CEO) with effect from January 1, 2026. Garg will be the first Indian national to take on this leadership role, ever since the company’s establishment in 1996.

 

He is currently the whole-time director and chief operating officer of HMIL. Following a smooth transition, the incumbent Managing Director Unsoo Kim will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea.

 

This appointment reflects Hyundai’s strong confidence in India’s leadership capabilities and India’s growing strategic importance within the global automotive landscape, the company said in a statement.

 

 

“Garg’s appointment as the first Indian national to lead HMIL is a defining moment in our nearly three-decade history. He is a transformative leader who brings a progressive vision combined with deep understanding of the Indian market. Under his guidance as COO, HMIL achieved record sales for three consecutive years, record-breaking profits and completed India’s largest IPO in 2024. He is a people-first leader who understands that success happens when you treat customers like honoured guests, empower your teams and invest for the long term,” said José Muñoz, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor Company.

 

Garg is a mechanical engineer from the prestigious Delhi Technological University (formerly known as Delhi College of Engineering). He holds an MBA degree from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.

 

He was identified for this position by HMC. Over the past two years, Garg had worked closely with global management in preparation for this elevation. In the April-August period this year, HMIL sold 220,233 units within India, which was 11.2 per cent lower year-on-year, as per SIAM’s data.

 

“Having worked closely with Tarun over the years, I have witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment and visionary thinking, qualities that have played a pivotal role in shaping and executing the core initiatives driving HMIL’s growth in India. I hold the utmost confidence in Tarun’s exceptional intellect and foresight, and I am confident that under his stewardship, HMIL will continue to ascend to even greater heights,” said Kim.

 

Since joining HMIL in 2019, Garg’s leadership journey has been marked by rapid progression. He was initially appointed as the head of sales, service and marketing, where he took charge of the company’s core customer-facing functions. His exceptional performance and strategic vision led to his further elevation in 2023, when he was appointed as the chief operating officer, a role that expanded his responsibilities to oversee the company’s entire operational spectrum.

 

Prior to bringing his expertise to HMIL, Garg worked with Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL). He began as a management trainee, mastering the areas of logistics and sales planning and progressively advanced through a series of key roles. His journey there included positions such as regional sales manager, commercial business head, national sales and network head and ultimately, executive director of marketing, logistics, parts and accessories.

 

“India’s automotive sector is in an exciting phase of transformation and I aim to contribute to HMIL’s continued growth in this market by stepping into this role. Success in this industry demands excellence across every touchpoint, from design and engineering to manufacturing, sales and service and I am fortunate to work alongside Hyundai’s talented employees, dealer partners and supplier partners who make it all possible. Together, we will stay focused on strengthening HMIL’s legacy of customer delight and loyalty built over the past 29 years, ensuring our journey continues to shape the future of mobility and build lasting connections in India,” Garg said.

 

Garg’s tenure at HMIL has been shaped by meaningful contributions that have steadily advanced the company’s growth and direction. With more than 32 years of industry experience, he led HMIL to its highest-ever sales for three consecutive years, delivered record-breaking profits and achieved the highest Ebitda margin in FY24. Among his other notable contributions was his role as the chief orchestrator of HMIL’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2024, which marked the largest public offering in the history of the Indian equity markets. His sharp focus on profitability, sustainability and customer experience positioned HMIL at the forefront of the SUV segment leadership.

 

He championed digital transformation through initiatives such as the MyHyundai app for customers, HSMART for dealers and a direct-to-consumer channel for electric vehicles. Beyond business metrics, Garg is a people-first leader deeply committed to community impact and innovation.