Gurugram — Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has just shifted into a historic gear by announcing Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. For the first time in the company’s 29-year history, the leadership baton goes to an Indian national—a proud milestone that signals Hyundai’s deep-rooted commitment to India and its people.
This announcement isn’t just another corporate shuffle; it’s the kind of boardroom plot twist that makes even seasoned auto journalists sit up straighter. Garg, currently HMIL’s Whole-time Director & COO, is known for steering Hyundai through record-breaking years—three consecutive years of highest-ever sales, soaring profits, and the biggest IPO in Indian equity market history. And all this while ensuring customers felt more pampered than a Creta owner on a weekend hill drive.
A Legacy on the Fast Lane
Hyundai’s top brass, led by José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea, called this a “defining moment.” And rightly so. Tarun Garg isn’t just another executive — he’s the kind of leader who can translate a corporate strategy into customer smiles (and dealership applause). Under his watch, HMIL became a benchmark for digital transformation with innovations like the MyHyundai app and HSMART dealer platform, while keeping a remarkable 90%+ Net Promoter Score.
Outgoing MD Unsoo Kim described Garg’s promotion as both “deserved” and “dangerously inspiring,” a mix that’s likely to keep the competition awake at night. Kim will now return to a strategic role in South Korea, hopefully with enough time to enjoy his new Hyundai SUV without a calendar full of board meetings.
From Maruti to Mastermind
Before donning Hyundai’s blue blazer, Garg spent over two decades at Maruti Suzuki, learning the business from the showroom floor to the boardroom suite. A Mechanical Engineer from Delhi Technological University and an MBA from IIM Lucknow, Garg’s résumé reads like a roadmap to success — and probably has more milestones than the Golden Quadrilateral.
Driving the Future — Literally
As MD & CEO, Garg’s focus will revolve around four core pillars:
- Future Strategy Focused – Because the next big Hyundai might just drive itself.
- Market & People Centric – The people-first approach that makes boardrooms less intimidating and showrooms more exciting.
- Customer Orientation – Making sure “customer delight” doesn’t stay confined to PowerPoint slides.
- Make in India Momentum – Strengthening local supply chains and turning India into an export powerhouse.
His leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: progress should always come with a human touch. That’s reflected in initiatives like “Samarth by Hyundai,” promoting inclusivity and awareness for people with disabilities—proving that Hyundai’s “Progress for Humanity” tagline isn’t just marketing poetry.
A Road Ahead, Paved with Ambition
As Hyundai’s first Indian MD & CEO, Tarun Garg now takes the wheel of one of India’s most dynamic automakers at a time when the roads ahead are rapidly changing—electrification, connected tech, and a new generation of young, impatient drivers who expect everything instantly (including charging speeds).
If history is any guide, HMIL’s next chapter will likely be a mix of innovation, empathy, and a few perfectly timed accelerations. And with Garg at the helm, Hyundai India seems all set to cruise comfortably toward its 2030 ambitions—probably with the sunroof open.
