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Hyundai Motor India appoints Mukundan MS whole-time director & CMO
Board also appoints Young Geon Kim to senior management ahead of leadership transition
New Delhi: Hyundai Motor India is shifting gears in its manufacturing leadership. The board of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. has approved the appointment of Mukundan MS as whole-time director and chief manufacturing officer with effect from September 1, 2026, as the company prepares for the retirement of its current manufacturing head.
Mukundan will succeed Gopalakrishnan CS, who will step down as whole-time director and chief manufacturing officer on August 31 upon reaching superannuation. Mukundan’s appointment as a whole-time director will be subject to shareholder approval at the company’s forthcoming annual general meeting.
A mechanical engineer with an MBA, Mukundan has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing and production operations. He currently serves as function head for production under the chief manufacturing officer’s office. During his tenure, he has led Hyundai’s Plant 1 capacity expansion, enabled flexible SUV production, driven carbon neutrality and renewable energy initiatives, introduced AI-led quality improvements and supported mixed internal combustion engine and electric vehicle production readiness.
The board also approved the appointment of Young Geon Kim as senior management personnel with effect from August 1, 2026.
Kim brings more than three decades of experience in automotive manufacturing, production technology and engineering. Before joining Hyundai Motor India in 2025, he held several leadership positions across Hyundai’s global manufacturing operations, including playing a key role in establishing and stabilising the company’s manufacturing plant in Brazil. Since arriving in India, he has led production management, Genesis production readiness, Chennai plant integration and new manufacturing facility initiatives.
The appointments come as the automaker continues to strengthen its manufacturing leadership while preparing for future capacity expansion and next-generation vehicle programmes, ensuring continuity as it navigates an increasingly competitive passenger vehicle market.
