Gurugram: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced the appointment of Tarun Garg as the next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, subject to shareholder approval. The appointment marks a historic milestone as Mr. Garg becomes the first Indian national to assume this leadership role in HMIL’s 29-year journey.
Currently serving as Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Garg succeeds Unsoo Kim, who will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea, following a smooth transition.
This leadership transition underscores Hyundai’s growing confidence in Indian leadership and highlights India’s increasing strategic importance in the company’s global operations. Garg’s elevation follows over two years of close collaboration with Hyundai’s global management team.
José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Tarun’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. I would also like to thank Unsoo for his hard work and dedication in helping lay the foundation for the success HMIL enjoys today. We wish you luck on your next assignment.”
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, HMIL, added, “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.”
Upon his elevation, Tarun Garg stated, “I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me by Hyundai Motor Group. 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 past 29 years, ensuring our journey continues to shape the future of mobility and build lasting connections in India.”
In his upcoming role as MD & CEO, Garg will focus on four key strategic pillars — Future Strategy Focused, Market & People Centered, Customer Orientation, and a strong impetus to Make in India. These will guide HMIL’s vision to enhance customer satisfaction, strengthen local supply chains, expand exports, and drive next-generation mobility solutions.
A seasoned industry professional with over 32 years of experience, Garg has been instrumental in driving HMIL’s record-breaking performance — achieving three consecutive years of highest-ever sales, record profitability, and India’s largest IPO in 2024. His leadership has been central to HMIL’s digital transformation, with initiatives like MyHyundai, HSMART, and direct-to-consumer EV channels, helping achieve over 90% NPS across sales and service.
Garg is also recognized for his people-first leadership and community initiatives such as ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, aimed at building a more inclusive society for people with disabilities in India.
Since joining HMIL in 2019 as Head of Sales, Service, and Marketing, Garg has rapidly advanced through leadership roles, including his appointment as COO in 2023. Before Hyundai, he had a distinguished career at Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), holding key roles across logistics, sales, marketing, and parts management, ultimately serving as Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts and Accessories.
An alumnus of Delhi Technological University (Mechanical Engineering) and IIM Lucknow (MBA), Garg brings together technical depth, strategic acumen, and a deep understanding of the Indian automotive landscape.
