Hyundai India: Tarun Garg to Become First Indian MD and CEO, Effective January 2026

Hyundai Motor India has appointed Tarun Garg as its Managing Director and CEO, effective January 1, 2026, following shareholder approval. He becomes the first Indian national to lead the company at the MD and CEO level.

Tarun Garg

Hyundai Motor India Limited has appointed Tarun Garg as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The appointment was approved by shareholders through a postal ballot and remote e-voting, with 99.75 percent of votes cast in favour. The board had cleared the succession plan in October 2025 and shareholder approval was completed in December.

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What are Hyundai's future plans for product launches in India beyond 2026?

Hyundai Motor India has ambitious plans to introduce 26 new models between FY2026 and FY2030, including seven new vehicles, six full model changes, and several updates. This expansion aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market, particularly in the growing SUV segment, and enhance its market share to over 15%.

How is Hyundai Motor India planning to enhance its export capabilities?

Hyundai Motor India aims to increase its export share from 21% to 30% of total production by 2030. This goal is supported by the commissioning of its Talegaon manufacturing facility and a high localization rate of around 81%, which they plan to raise to 90%. This strategy aligns with their commitment to making India a key global manufacturing hub.

What is the significance of Hyundai's investment plan in India by FY2030?

Hyundai has outlined a substantial investment plan of Rs 45,000 crore in India, focusing on product development, localization, and electrification initiatives. This investment reflects India's strategic importance in Hyundai's global operations and aims to position India as a manufacturing and export hub while enhancing the company's competitiveness in the market.

What role will the new electric SUV play in Hyundai's strategy for India?

Hyundai plans to launch a locally designed, developed, and manufactured electric SUV in India by 2027, which will be a crucial part of its wider electric vehicle strategy. This model is expected to cater to the growing demand for electric vehicles in India and support Hyundai's commitment to sustainable mobility.

What competitive advantages does Hyundai see in India's automotive market?

Hyundai recognizes India's improving infrastructure, scale, and maturing supplier ecosystem as key competitive advantages. These factors make India an attractive base for global automakers to diversify supply chains, especially amid geopolitical uncertainties. Hyundai's localization efforts and the quality of Indian auto components further enhance its competitiveness.

Garg is currently the Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor India. With this move, he becomes the first Indian national to head the company’s India operations at the MD and CEO level since Hyundai entered the market nearly three decades ago.

Leadership handover

Hyundai confirmed that the current Managing Director, Unsoo Kim, will transition to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea after the handover. The company described the change as a planned transition rather than an abrupt management shift.

What the change means for the business

A change at the top does not bring immediate changes for customers, but it can influence decisions on products, pricing and timelines. Hyundai is positioning leadership continuity as a way to respond more closely to local market conditions, including competition in the SUV and utility vehicle segments and demand for multiple powertrain options within similar price ranges.

Investment plans and product pipeline

Hyundai Motor Company has outlined an investment plan of Rs 45,000 crore in India through FY30. The investment is aimed at product development, localisation, manufacturing capacity, and electrification-related initiatives.
One confirmed project is a locally designed, developed, and manufactured electric SUV planned for launch in 2027. This model is expected to play a role in Hyundai’s wider electric vehicle strategy for the Indian market.
Recently, at the Times Network India Economic Conclave 2025, Tarun Garg said Hyundai Motor India has become the company’s largest cumulative exporter of passenger vehicles. He noted that India continues to grow as a manufacturing and export base for Hyundai, supplying vehicles to multiple global markets.
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