Hyundai India Appoints Tarun Garg as New MD & CEO; to Replace Unsoo Kim From January 1

Hyundai India has announced that Tarun Garg, currently serving as Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will assume the role of Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from January 1, 2026. He will succeed Unsoo Kim, who will transition to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in South Korea. It is to be noted that Garg will be the first Indian to take over the role of MD & CEO in the company’s 29-year history. His appointment highlights Hyundai’s deep trust in India’s managerial capabilities and its recognition of the country's growing role in the global automotive sector. Garg’s selection by Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) denotes a carefully considered succession strategy targeted at aligning local leadership with global goals.

Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Jose Munoz, President & CEO of HMC, 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 a 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.'

Speaking on this elevation, Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, HMIL stated, '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, Whole-time Director & COO, HMIL, expressed, '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 the past 29 years, ensuring our journey continues to shape the future of mobility and build lasting connections in India.'

Hyundai India Appoints Tarun Garg as New MD & CEO: Experience and Background Details

Garg’s leadership journey at HMIL began in 2019. As Head of Sales, Service, and Marketing, he redefined the company’s engagement strategy. In 2023, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, taking on the broader mandate of driving operational excellence across the organisation.

Also Read: Hyundai's First India-Specific EV Confirmed for Launch

During his tenure, Garg delivered high-impact results that shaped HMIL’s strategic direction. Under his leadership, the company posted its best-ever sales for three consecutive years, reached peak profitability, and recorded its highest EBITDA margin in FY24. Garg also led the charge on HMIL’s historic IPO in 2024, the biggest public listing in India’s equity market to date.

Garg spearheaded the Korean brand’s digital transformation and introduced customer-first platforms like the MyHyundai app, HSMART for dealers, and a direct-to-consumer EV sales channel. These initiatives modernised the buying and ownership experience while taking customer satisfaction to new heights, with over 90% Net Promoter Score (NPS) across sales and service.

Tarun Garg purpose-led leadership approach helped him play a key role in the launch of ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, an initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive society for people with disabilities in India. His vision closely reflects Hyundai Motor Group’s global commitment to ‘Progress for Humanity’, which emphasises meaningful, people-centric progress.

Now, as Garg steps into the role of MD & CEO, he will drive Hyundai India’s next phase of growth with a clear focus on four strategic pillars: Future Strategy Focussed, Market & People Centered, Customer Orientation, and further Impetus to Make in India.

Before joining Hyundai Motor India, Tarun Garg built a distinguished career at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, where he rose through the ranks over nearly three decades. He started there as a Management Trainee, and gained deep expertise in logistics and sales planning, before eventually taking on leadership roles such as Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Business Head, and National Sales & Network Head, before culminating his tenure as Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts, and Accessories.

Also Read: Hyundai Drops Car Prices by Up to Rs 2.40 Lakh Post-GST Revision

Garg’s strong professional track record is underpinned by a solid academic foundation. He is a Mechanical Engineer from Delhi Technological University and holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.