Hyundai Motor India targets 20 per cent women workforce by 2030

MUMBAI: The road to a more inclusive automotive industry is getting a new milestone. Hyundai Motor India has set a target to increase women’s representation in its executive workforce to 20 per cent by 2030, as the company looks to build a more diverse and future-ready talent pipeline.

Women currently account for more than 8 per cent of Hyundai Motor India’s executive workforce, which comprises over 4,000 employees. The company said the trend is already becoming more visible among its younger talent, with women accounting for about 45 per cent of Management Trainees and Engineer Trainees recruited in 2026.

The company said women’s participation is increasing across manufacturing, engineering, research and development, sales, service, corporate functions and leadership roles. Hyundai believes the wider talent pool can bring different perspectives and expertise to the business while supporting innovation, collaboration and long-term growth.

Tarun Garg, managing director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai Motor India Limited, we believe that bringing together people with diverse experiences, perspectives and capabilities helps create stronger teams, drive innovation and build a more resilient organisation.”

He added that the 20 per cent target reflects the company’s focus on expanding opportunities, strengthening its talent pipeline and creating an environment where employees can realise their full potential.

Hyundai Motor India said its long-term workforce strategy is supported by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework focused on attracting, developing and retaining talent, while improving career progression and leadership opportunities.

The company’s diversity hiring initiatives include gender-balanced recruitment across functions, expanded campus outreach, competency-based talent assessments and a focus on strengthening leadership representation.

Career progression is another key area. Hyundai said women recorded a 23 per cent promotion or elevation rate in FY26, alongside greater access to learning, development and leadership programmes.

Under its Women @ Work 2.0 initiative, the company provides maternity and parental support, childcare assistance, workplace flexibility, performance continuity safeguards, and employee engagement and reintegration programmes.

Its TrailblazHER Leadership Initiative focuses on developing high-potential women professionals through mentorship, capability building, career acceleration and future leadership readiness programmes.

The company’s inclusion strategy also extends to workplace infrastructure and employee wellbeing. Hyundai said its manufacturing plants have crèche facilities, while dedicated wellness and relaxation rooms, enhanced safety measures, mobility support and other workplace facilities are aimed at creating a more supportive environment.

Its health and wellness initiatives include preventive healthcare programmes, women’s health awareness, cancer screening, stress management and healthcare support services.

Hyundai said these efforts form part of its broader ESG agenda and support the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.

As India’s automotive industry moves towards advanced manufacturing, greater digitalisation and changing customer expectations, Hyundai said workforce diversity is becoming increasingly important to innovation, problem-solving and organisational resilience.

The company believes attracting talent from a broader range of backgrounds can strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable growth.

With women already making up nearly half of its latest management and engineering trainee intake, Hyundai’s 2030 target signals a push to turn that emerging talent trend into a larger presence across the company’s executive ranks.