ACKO Drive Awards 2026: Hyundai Motor India Drives Into TOTMs Hall of Fame

The fourth edition of the ACKO Drive Awards recognised a group of leading manufacturers based in the southern state of Tamil Nadu for their pioneering efforts in building the Indian automotive industry’s manufacturing and technology competence. These companies were bestowed the Hall of Fame Manufacturing Pioneer honour. One among them was Korean auto major Hyundai. COO and full-time Director Tarun Garg received the honour on behalf of the company.

In 1996, Hyundai laid the foundation stone for its first India plant, near Chennai. By 1998, the Santro rolled off the Korean major’s first fully integrated car manufacturing plant outside South Korea—a transformative moment for the Indian mobility industry.

Fast forward to 2008, a second plant doubled its ambitions. Today, this manufacturing powerhouse boasts an 8,24,000-unit annual capacity and has produced over 12 million vehicles exported to 88 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

By 2025, the plant achieved 92 percent localisation, pioneering battery pack assembly right here. The Creta Electric became the first car powered by locally assembled batteries—a defining milestone in India's EV revolution. The company also assembles the IONIQ 5 EV at its Chennai plant.

From humble beginnings to becoming a global export hub, Chennai remains Hyundai Motor India's crown jewel and contributes significantly to the upward trajectory of India's automotive future.