L-R: Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India; Jose Munoz, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor Company and Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & COO, Hyundai Motor India.

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026, subject to shareholder approval.

This makes Garg the first Indian national to take on this leadership role in the company since Hyundai Motor India’s establishment 29 years ago.

Garg currently serves as the Whole-time Director and COO of HMIL, and will succeed Unsoo Kim, who is set to return to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, 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. 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.”

Unsoo Kim, said, “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.”

Commenting on his elevation, Garg, 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 past 29 years, ensuring our journey continues to shape the future of mobility and build lasting connections in India.”

Going forward, Garg’s focus will be on four key pillars: Future Strategy Focussed, Market & People Centred, Customer Orientation and further Impetus to Make in India. This strategy will aim to strengthen customer satisfaction, build a supply chain and establish India as a global export hub for mobility solutions.

Garg has over three decades of industry experience and had been instrumental to lead Hyundai Motor India to its highest-ever sales for three consecutive years, delivered record-breaking profits and achieved the highest EBITDA margin in FY2024. He was the Chief Orchestrator of HMIL’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2024, which was the largest public offering in the history of the Indian equity markets.

He is also credited to have spearheaded digital transformation through the MyHyundai app for customers and HSMART for dealers. He also launched “Samarth by Hyundai,” an initiative for people with disabilities in India.

Prior to joining Hyundai Motor India in 2019, Garg held roles at Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), including Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts, and Accessories. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Delhi Technological University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.

Changan Automobile has unveiled its latest lineup of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2025, presenting models across the AVATR and CHANGAN DEEPAL brands.

AVATR, the brand that focuses on ‘Emotive Luxury,’ headlined the event with the debut of the AVATR 07 SUV. Led by AVATR's European design team, the model has earned international honours, including the IDA International Design Gold Award and the 2025 German iF Design Award. The cabin combines materials, multi-sensory enjoyment, and quietness. The vehicle can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in a claimed 3.9s and features CDC adaptive air suspension, powered by ADAS to deliver a seamless, reliable, and confident driving.

CHANGAN DEEPAL, a part of Changan’s Thailand portfolio, continued its market momentum. The DEEPAL S05, the first made-in-Thailand model launched in March 2025, ranked No. 1 in EV SUV registrations for two consecutive months. Responding to consumer enthusiasm, Changan introduced the S05 Max Long Range, offering an all-black exterior and interior, a 68.82 kWh battery with 560 km NEDC range and a 200 kW motor capable of zero to 100 kmph in just 6.48 seconds.

As Thailand transitions toward electrification, it has become a strategic hub for Changan. Under its ‘In Thailand, For Thailand’ strategy, Changan is advancing localisation across local manufacturing, marketing, sales, and service.

In May 2025, Changan inaugurated its first overseas NEV plant in Rayong, Thailand – employing over 1,000 Thai workers and achieving approximately 60 percent local content. In August, Changan hosted its first Service Skills Competition in Bangkok to reinforce its global after-sales standards.

Looking ahead, Changan plans to launch seven models in Thailand over the next three years. Over the next five years, Changan will introduce more than 50 NEVs globally, driving the momentum of AVATR and CHANGAN DEEPAL toward leadership in mobility.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPVL) and Red Bull India have announced an association to undertake acts that challenge norms, combining Tata Motors’ line of products with Red Bull’s athletes.

The first activity will feature the Harrier.ev SUV. The vehicle’s off-road capability will be tested by Red Bull athlete Abdo ‘Dado’ Feghali, a Guinness World Record holder in drifting and an icon in rally and drifting. A video of the challenge will be released soon.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “These are truly exciting times as we partner with a company like Red Bull – known for defying limits. This collaboration brings together two brands that share a passion for innovation, performance, and pushing boundaries. We are excited to showcase how cutting-edge technology and stylish design can complement the thrill of adventure and extreme performance. This journey promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.”

Abdo ‘Dado’ Feghali, said, “The Harrier.ev truly delivers on its promise of go-anywhere capability. After conquering steep terrains in the Elephant Rock challenge, it exceeded expectations by effortlessly completing the latest task we threw at it. Its segment-leading torque offers smooth, linear delivery, making every obstacle feel convenient. This experience is a testament to the Harrier.ev’s engineering excellence – a new benchmark for electric SUVs in India.”

This association marks the beginning of an adventure between TMPV and Red Bull India, both of which share a vision of delivering experiences that celebrate power, precision, and passion.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank for retail vehicle financing for customers.

The collaboration has been established to provide retail financing solutions for new cars and commercial vehicles, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of Maruti Suzuki vehicles for customers.

The partnership will leverage the growing customer base of the bank to benefit Maruti Suzuki customer profiles and offer them a range of comprehensive financing solutions.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales and Vishal Sharma, Vice-President, Maruti Suzuki Finance & Driving School, from Maruti Suzuki India. Representing Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank were Vinod Kumar Arora, Chairman and Vijay Vasant Raikwad, General Manager, along with senior officials from both organisations.

Partho Banerjee, said: “Our collaboration with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank strengthens our commitment to making car ownership more accessible and affordable. This strategic partnership enables us to extend our reach and offer customers competitive financing solutions that enhance the overall buying experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless and customer-centric finance options, and this alliance reinforces our vision of providing tailored financial support to a wider audience.”

Vinod Kumar Arora, said, “At Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, fulfilling customer aspirations is at the core of our mission. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, marks a strategic step toward expanding our service offerings and delivering enhanced value to our customers. This collaboration reinforces our customer-centric philosophy of enabling accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to supporting individuals and families across the country in realising their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”

The Indian passenger vehicle industry experienced its strongest festive season recently, driven by a combination of GST rate cuts and consumer demand, said a recent ICRA report.

In October 2025, passenger vehicle retail sales grew by 15 percent YoY. A sequential surge of 86 percent was observed as retail activity, deferred from the late-September Navratras, shifted into October.

Wholesale volumes also saw an uptick, increasing by 17 percent YoY and 24 percent sequentially to reach 460,000 units in October 2025, as OEMs boosted dispatches to dealers for the festive period.

Inventory levels with dealers reduced to 53-55 days by the end of October 2025, down from 60 days in September 2025, as reported by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). This improvement was supported by a 21 percent YoY growth, with 800,000 units sold during the 42-day festive period.

Utility vehicles (UVs) continue to dominate the market, accounting for 66-67 percent of total industry volumes. However, the compact and super compact car segments showed signs of revival following the GST reductions.

Export volumes recorded a 12 percent YoY growth in October 2025. Maruti Suzuki India maintained its position as the top exporter, followed by Hyundai Motor India. For the first seven months of FY2026, export volumes expanded by 17 percent YoY, indicating a supply push from Indian OEMs in international markets.

Looking ahead, ICRA expects wholesale volume growth for the full fiscal year FY2026 to be in the range of 1-4  percent, supported by the demand momentum from GST rate cuts, continuous new model launches by OEMs and anticipated demand during the ongoing wedding season.