A Defining Moment: Tarun Garg Appointed as HMIL’s First Indian National MD & CEO
#Hyundai #HMIL #Growth #MD #LeadershipRole #CEO #Announcement“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.” - Tarun Garg
October 2025 : Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) recently announced a defining moment in its 29-year legacy with the appointment of Mr. Tarun Garg as the next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Effective January 01, 2026, Mr. Garg will become the first Indian national to lead the company in this top executive role.
Mr. Garg, who currently serves as the Whole-time Director & COO of HMIL, will succeed the incumbent Managing Director, Mr. Unsoo Kim, who will return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea, following a smooth transition. This appointment underscores Hyundai’s strong confidence in India’s leadership capabilities and the nation’s increasing strategic importance in the global automotive landscape.
Global Leaders Commend Visionary Appointment
The decision to appoint Mr. Garg was made by HMC after two years of preparation and close collaboration with global management.
Mr. José Muñoz, President & CEO of HMC, commented on the elevation:
“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 him luck on your next assignment.”
Mr. Unsoo Kim, outgoing Managing Director, HMIL, also expressed his confidence:
“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.”
Mr. Garg brings over 32 years of extensive industry experience, marked by a proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence, with deep expertise across sales, marketing, and product strategy.
Upon his elevation, Mr. Tarun Garg expressed his gratitude and commitment:
“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 pivotal new role, Mr. Garg’s strategic focus will be built upon four key pillars: Future Strategy Focussed, Market & People Centered, Customer Orientation, and further Impetus to Make in India. These will help champion customer satisfaction, build a robust and localized supply chain, establish India as a global export hub, and develop next-gen mobility solutions, aligning with the Group’s global vision of “Progress for Humanity.”
Mr. Garg’s tenure at HMIL, which began in 2019, has been characterized by significant achievements:
● Financial Performance: Leading HMIL to its highest-ever sales for three consecutive years, delivering record-breaking profits, and achieving the highest EBITDA margin in FY24.
● Capital Markets: Serving as the Chief Orchestrator for HMIL’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2024, marking the largest public offering in the history of the Indian equity markets.
● Digital Transformation: Championing digital initiatives such as the MyHyundai app for customers, HSMART for dealers, and a direct-to-consumer channel for electric vehicles, which resulted in over 90% NPS across sales and service.
● Community Impact: Launching “Samarth by Hyundai,” an inclusive initiative aimed at creating a more aware and inclusive society for people with disabilities in India.
Since joining HMIL, Mr. Garg rapidly progressed, initially serving as the Head of Sales, Service and Marketing, and then being appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in 2023, overseeing the entire operational spectrum.
Prior to HMIL, he had an illustrious career at 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.
Mr. Garg’s strong academic foundation complements his professional experience. He earned his Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Delhi Technological University.Further enhancing his strategic and business acumen, he completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.
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