Hyundai Motor India

Corporate brand

The Indian subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, producing and selling passenger vehicles and serving as a major export and engineering base.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is the Indian subsidiary of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company. Formed on 6 May 1996, it entered a passenger-car market then dominated by Maruti Suzuki and populated by a relatively small number of domestic and international manufacturers. Hyundai’s arrival introduced a modern, aggressively marketed small-car competitor, with the Santro becoming the company’s first Indian model in September 1998. The car helped establish Hyundai as a mainstream Indian passenger-vehicle brand and rapidly positioned the company behind Maruti Suzuki in the market. HMIL’s Indian business covers vehicle manufacturing, sales, exports, after-sales service, engineering support and quality development. Its principal manufacturing base is at Irungattukottai near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, while a second plant operates at Talegaon in Maharashtra. The Chennai facility has reported annual capacity of approximately 850,000 vehicles. Hyundai also operates Hyundai Motor India Engineering in Hyderabad, a fully owned Hyundai Motor Company subsidiary involved in adapting and developing vehicles for India and other markets. An Indian Quality Centre in Faridabad supports durability testing, component benchmarking, customer-feedback analysis and quality work during vehicle development. The company’s portfolio has historically emphasized small hatchbacks, compact sedans, compact sport-utility vehicles and entry-level models. Important nameplates have included Santro, i10, Grand i10, i20, Verna, Venue and Creta. Hyundai has also expanded into electric mobility, beginning local production of the Kona Electric after investment in an additional electric-vehicle production line. Its Indian retail and service system includes Hyundai Motor Plazas and a broad network of independently operated outlets. As reported for 2025, the network comprised about 1,366 sales points and 1,550 service points. India is also a significant export base for Hyundai’s compact vehicles. HMIL has exported vehicles to markets across Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East, and reported reaching one million cumulative exports in February 2010. The company has described India as an important global compact-car export hub and has received repeated export-industry recognition. Export destinations and volumes have changed over time with product cycles, market conditions and regulatory requirements. Hyundai competes primarily in India’s mass-market passenger-vehicle segment, where it combines locally manufactured products, extensive dealer coverage, design-led positioning, technology features and a broad SUV range. It has used high-profile advertising and long-running celebrity associations, especially Shah Rukh Khan, to build familiarity and emotional appeal. In 2024, Deepika Padukone was appointed as an additional brand ambassador alongside Khan. The company has increasingly highlighted sustainability and electrification. In 2022, it reported obtaining approximately 85 percent of its electricity from external renewable sources and described plans for a 1.9 MWp rooftop solar installation. Hyundai India has also installed ultra-fast charging stations and announced plans to expand charging infrastructure. In June 2024, HMIL filed a draft offer document with India’s securities regulator seeking approval for an initial public offering, although the filing itself did not make the subsidiary a listed company.

History

Hyundai Motor India was established on 6 May 1996 when Hyundai Motor Company entered India’s passenger-car market through a local subsidiary. At the time, Maruti Suzuki held an unusually strong position in small passenger cars, while Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra were more strongly associated with utility and commercial vehicles. Hyundai therefore entered a market in which brand recognition, dealer infrastructure and localization were critical challenges. Construction of the first manufacturing plant began in 1996, with the groundbreaking ceremony for Plant 1 held on 10 December. The company’s first locally produced model, the Santro, was launched on 23 September 1998. Its combination of compact dimensions, contemporary styling, equipment and competitive positioning made it an important breakthrough. Hyundai soon became India’s second-largest automobile manufacturer and a significant exporter, transforming the company from an unfamiliar entrant into one of the country’s leading passenger-car brands. During the 2000s, Hyundai expanded its range and manufacturing capabilities around the small-car and compact-car segments. The i10, Grand i10 and i20 helped the company cover different price and size bands, while the Verna strengthened its presence in sedans. Hyundai also developed India as an export hub, eventually shipping vehicles to markets across several regions. In February 2010, HMIL reported one million cumulative vehicle exports. The company subsequently continued to receive export recognition, including repeated awards from the Engineering Export Promotion Council. Hyundai built local technical capability alongside manufacturing. Hyundai Motor India Engineering was established in Hyderabad in November 2006 and supported the development and adaptation of vehicles for Indian requirements. The facility contributed to models including the Eon and later vehicles in Hyundai’s i-series and SUV portfolio. A separate Indian Quality Centre in Faridabad was established to conduct durability work, benchmark systems and parts, study customer feedback and participate in vehicle development from pilot stages. These activities reflected Hyundai’s effort to make India more than a sales market: it became an engineering, testing and export base. The company’s SUV expansion became increasingly important during the 2010s. The Creta became a central product in the compact-SUV segment, while the Venue broadened Hyundai’s presence in smaller SUVs. The company continued to receive Indian Car of the Year recognition for products including the i10, Grand i10, Elite i20, Creta, Verna, Venue and i20 across the 2008–2021 period. Hyundai also received customer-satisfaction and product-quality recognition in the Indian market. Leadership changes accompanied the company’s expansion. Marketing and sales director Arvind Saxena left in 2012 after seven years in the position, and sales and marketing director Rakesh Srivastava resigned in 2018 after six years. On 4 December 2018, Seon Seob Kim succeeded Young Key Koo as managing director and chief executive officer. Electrification became a more visible part of the company’s strategy in the late 2010s. Hyundai Motor Company invested in an additional electric-vehicle production line in 2019, enabling local production of the Kona Electric. HMIL later increased attention to renewable energy and charging infrastructure. In 2022, it reported that roughly 85 percent of its electricity came from external renewable sources and described a 1.9 MWp rooftop solar installation. It also added ultra-fast charging stations in major cities and along highways, with further expansion planned. HMIL’s current activities combine vehicle production, domestic retail, service operations, exports, engineering, quality assurance and community initiatives. Its sales and service footprint was reported at approximately 1,366 sales points and 1,550 service points in 2025. In June 2024, the company filed a draft prospectus with SEBI for a proposed initial public offering. The filing marked a major corporate-development step, but HMIL remained an unlisted subsidiary unless and until a listing was completed.

2024
Draft IPO prospectus filed
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
HMIL files a draft prospectus with SEBI for a proposed initial public offering.
2022
Renewable-energy and solar initiatives expand
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
HMIL reports substantial renewable electricity sourcing and begins installing a rooftop solar system.
2019
Kona Electric production begins
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
Investment in an additional electric-vehicle production line supports manufacturing of the Kona Electric.
2018
Chief executive transition
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
Seon Seob Kim assumes the managing director and CEO role from Young Key Koo.
2010
One million cumulative exports
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
HMIL reports reaching one million exported vehicles in February.
2006
Hyundai Motor India Engineering is established
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
Hyundai establishes an engineering subsidiary in Hyderabad to support Indian-market vehicle development.
1998
Santro launches in India
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
The Santro becomes HMIL’s first Indian model and establishes the Hyundai brand in the local market.
1996
Hyundai Motor India is formed
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
Hyundai Motor Company establishes its Indian subsidiary on 6 May.
1996
First manufacturing plant begins development
[1]Hyundai Motor Indiaen.wikipedia.org
The groundbreaking ceremony for Plant 1 near Chennai takes place on 10 December.

Products and positioning

A mass-market passenger-vehicle brand emphasizing practical technology, contemporary design, feature content, localized production, broad service coverage and value across hatchback, sedan, SUV and electric-vehicle segments.

Small hatchback · 1998
Santro
The Santro was Hyundai Motor India’s first locally launched passenger car. Introduced in 1998, it was central to the company’s early market-entry strategy and helped make Hyundai familiar to Indian consumers. Its compact format, contemporary design and equipment-oriented positioning made it a direct challenger in India’s high-volume small-car segment.
Hatchback
i10 and Grand i10
The i10 family extended Hyundai’s presence in urban hatchbacks, combining compact dimensions with higher equipment levels and modern styling. The Grand i10 developed the formula with a larger and more spacious format. Both models were important volume products and received Indian Car of the Year recognition at different points.
Premium hatchback
i20
The i20 occupies Hyundai’s premium-hatchback position in India. It builds on the company’s small-car expertise with a larger cabin, more feature-rich specification and design-led presentation. The model has also served as an export product and received Indian Car of the Year recognition in multiple generations.
Mid-size sedan
Verna
The Verna represents Hyundai’s mid-size sedan offering in India. It broadens the company’s range beyond hatchbacks through a combination of sedan practicality, technology and styling. The Verna won Indian Car of the Year recognition in 2018, reflecting its importance in Hyundai’s domestic portfolio.
Compact SUV
Creta
The Creta is one of Hyundai Motor India’s key compact-SUV products. It combines a raised driving position and SUV styling with dimensions suited to urban and family use. The nameplate has been central to Hyundai’s SUV expansion in India and received Indian Car of the Year recognition in 2016.
Subcompact SUV
Venue
The Venue gives Hyundai a smaller SUV-format product positioned below the Creta. It extends the company’s SUV strategy into a more compact urban segment and received Indian Car of the Year recognition in 2020.
Electric SUV · 2019
Kona Electric
The Kona Electric was among HMIL’s first locally manufactured electric vehicles. Production followed Hyundai Motor Company’s 2019 investment in an additional electric-vehicle line in India and formed part of the company’s early Indian electrification effort.

Controversies

2022
Hyundai India condemns social media communication linked to the brand
In February 2022, a Hyundai India spokesperson addressed an unsolicited social media post that linked Hyundai Motor India to the brand. According to the spokesperson, the post was offensive to the company's commitment and service. The spokesperson stated that the company had zero tolerance for insensitive communication. The statement condemned the social media communication associated with the brand. No further details about the post's content, its author, or any subsequent action were provided in the source.
Source

2024Deepika Padukone joins Hyundai ambassador roster
India
Hyundai India appointed Deepika Padukone as a brand ambassador alongside Shah Rukh Khan in connection with promotion of the updated Creta.
Outcome. The campaign broadened Hyundai’s celebrity marketing platform for a major SUV product.
Source
2021Art for Hope
India
The Hyundai Motor India Foundation launched an initiative supporting artists working in digital, craft, multidisciplinary, performance and visual arts.
Outcome. Selected artists received mentoring and opportunities to present completed work in exhibitions.
Source
2017Shah Rukh Khan contract extension
India
Hyundai India extended Shah Rukh Khan’s brand-ambassador contract for a further two years.
Outcome. The renewed partnership maintained continuity in Hyundai’s celebrity-led marketing.
Source
1998Shah Rukh Khan and Hyundai association
India
Shah Rukh Khan appeared in Hyundai’s first television commercial for the Santro and became a long-running public face of the brand in India.
Outcome. The association continued for more than two decades and supported Hyundai’s mass-market brand recognition.
Source
Be The Better Guy
India
Hyundai used Shah Rukh Khan in a road-safety campaign encouraging more responsible behavior by motorists.
Outcome. The campaign linked Hyundai’s brand communication with road-safety messaging.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Prepare proposed public offeringOther
Background
HMIL pursued a potential listing of its Indian subsidiary.
Action taken
The company filed a draft prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India on 15 June.
Aftermath
The filing initiated the regulatory process for a proposed IPO; no completed listing is established by the supplied material.
Source
2022
Increase renewable-energy useStrategy
Background
HMIL pursued lower-carbon manufacturing and reported that most of its electricity was sourced from external renewable-energy plants.
Action taken
The company reported approximately 85 percent renewable electricity sourcing and began installing a 1.9 MWp rooftop solar system.
Aftermath
The initiative strengthened the sustainability component of HMIL’s manufacturing strategy.
Source
2019
Localize electric-vehicle productionProduct launch
Background
Hyundai sought to establish an early electric-vehicle manufacturing capability in India.
Action taken
Hyundai Motor Company invested in an additional EV production line and began manufacturing the Kona Electric.
Aftermath
The move made HMIL an early participant in India’s locally produced electric-passenger-vehicle market.
Source

Recent events

2026-10-26
Hyundai announces Bayon SUV introduction in India[5]现代汽车宣布在印度推出 Bayon SUVthehindu.com
Reported: 2026-10-26
Hyundai Motor India announced the introduction of its new compact mid-size SUV, Bayon, in India. The company said prices start at ₹9,99,900 (ex-showroom).
2026-01-01
Tarun Garg appointed MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India[6]Tarun Garg 被任命为现代汽车印度公司董事总经理兼首席执行官hindustantimes.com
Reported: 2026-01-01
Hyundai Motor India Ltd said Tarun Garg assumed charge as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2026, succeeding Unsoo Kim, who returns to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea. Garg is the first Indian national to head HMIL.
2022-02-07
Hyundai Motor India responds to controversy over Kashmir-related posts[4]Hyundai India condemns social media communication linked to the brandthehindu.com
Reported: 2022-02-07
Hyundai Motor India responded to the backlash, stating that it respects nationalism, that the post linking the company to the messages was unsolicited, and that it strongly condemns such views.
2022-02-07
Hyundai India condemns social media communication linked to the brand[3]Hyundai India condemns social media communication linked to the brandeconomictimes.indiatimes.com
Reported: 2022-02-07
A Hyundai India spokesperson said an unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India was offensive to the company's commitment and service, and said the company had zero tolerance for insensitive communication.
2021-12-21
Hyundai launches fifth #BeTheBetterGuy campaign[7]现代汽车推出第五届 #BeTheBetterGuy 活动news.webindia123.com
Reported: 2021-12-21
Hyundai Motor India announced the launch of the fifth edition of its #BeTheBetterGuy road safety campaign in India. The campaign aims to promote safe driving habits and road safety through content across platforms.
2021-08-18
KBC 13 secures sponsors[8]《KBC 13》引入赞助商indiantelevision.com
Reported: 2021-08-18
Sony Entertainment Television announced that BYJU’S and Cadbury Dairy Milk would be co-presenting sponsors of KBC 13, with Hyundai Motor India, Asian Paints Royale Glitz, Ultratech Cement, Zydus Wellness (Complan), CERA, Pharmeasy, IDFC First Bank, LIC of India and Bharat Matrimony also joining as sponsors.
2021-01-06
Axis Bank and Hyundai partner on online car financing[9]Axis Bank与现代汽车合作提供线上汽车融资dailyexcelsior.com
Reported: 2021-01-07
Axis Bank partnered with Hyundai Motor India to offer auto financing through Hyundai's Click to Buy online retail platform.
2020-09-19
Hyundai launches premium assurance programme for Tucson and Elantra customers[10]现代为Tucson和Elantra客户推出尊享保障计划economictimes.indiatimes.com
Reported: 2020-09-19
Hyundai Motor India launched exclusive services under its premium assurance programme for new Tucson and Elantra customers, including a five-year warranty, three-year roadside assistance and connectivity features.
2020-08-13
Hyundai launches Mobility Membership in India[11]现代汽车在印度推出 Mobility Membershipeconomictimes.indiatimes.com
Reported: 2020-08-13
Hyundai Motor India launched Hyundai Mobility Membership, offering exclusive benefits and convenience to new customers in India. The company said it would extend the programme to existing customers starting in the fourth quarter of the financial year.
2020-07-22
Hyundai launches Venue iMT version and Sport variant in India[12]现代在印度推出Venue iMT版本及Sport车型economictimes.indiatimes.com
Reported: 2020-07-22
Hyundai Motor India launched an Intelligent Manual Transmission-equipped version of the Venue and introduced the Sport variant, priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 11.58 lakh.

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