Who Is Tarun Garg, The First Indian To Become MD & CEO Of Hyundai Motor India?

In a historic move, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has appointed Tarun Garg as its next managing director & chief executive officer (MD & CEO), the first Indian national to lead the company since its inception

29 years ago. His appointment, effective January 1, 2026, comes even as incumbent Managing Director Unsoo Kim is moving back to Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea, in a “strategic role”.

“Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) today announced the appointment of Mr. Tarun Garg as the next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, subject to approval of shareholders, effective January 01, 2026. This marks a significant milestone, as Mr. Garg becomes the first Indian national to take on this leadership role within HMIL, since the company’s establishment 29 years ago. At present, Mr. Garg serves as the Whole-time Director & COO of HMIL. Following a smooth transition, the incumbent Managing Director, Mr. Unsoo Kim, will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Garg’s elevation comes as incumbent Managing Director Unsoo Kim prepares to move back to Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea, in a strategic role.

Garg’s Current Role At Hyundai

Garg is currently serving as whole-time director and chief operating officer (COO) of HMIL. He has been at the forefront of the company’s record-breaking growth over the past few years.

Welcoming the announcement, José Muñoz, president and 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. Under his guidance as COO, HMIL achieved record sales for three consecutive years, record-breaking profits, and completed India’s largest IPO in 2024.”

Over 32 Years Of Experience In Automobile

With more than three decades in the automobile industry, Garg brings a deep understanding of the Indian market, backed by experience across sales, marketing, distribution, financial management, product strategy, and brand communication.

At HMIL, he was instrumental in driving the company’s digital transformation through initiatives such as the MyHyundai app, HSMART platform for dealers, and the direct-to-consumer EV channel, which helped achieve over 90% net promoter score (NPS) across sales and service.

Garg also spearheaded Hyundai’s blockbuster IPO in 2024, the largest public offering in Indian equity market history, while delivering record EBITDA margins and solidifying the brand’s leadership in the SUV segment. EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation.

From Maruti to Hyundai: A Career Built on Performance

Before joining Hyundai in 2019, Garg spent a long and successful stint at Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), where he started as a management trainee and rose through multiple roles, including Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Business Head, and Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts, and Accessories.

At Hyundai, his rapid rise from Head of Sales, Service & Marketing to COO in 2023 reflected his strong leadership and strategic acumen.

Education

A mechanical engineer from Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi College of Engineering) and an MBA graduate from IIM Lucknow, Tarun Garg combines a strong academic background with practical business insight.

Upon his elevation, Garg said he was “deeply honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me by Hyundai Motor Group”, adding that India’s automotive sector was entering “an exciting phase of transformation”.

“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,” he added.

José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, called Tarun Garg’s appointment a landmark moment for Hyundai’s India operations. “Tarun’s appointment as the first Indian national to lead HMIL is a defining moment in our nearly three-decade history,” he said. “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.”

Outgoing Managing Director Unsoo Kim also praised Garg’s elevation. “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,” Kim said.