Pankaj Tripathi Joins Hyundai as Brand Ambassador Alongside Shah Rukh Khan & Deepika

Pankaj Tripathi is Hyundai's new brand ambassador – but what about Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika?

Hyundai Motors India has roped in actor Pankaj Tripathi as its new brand ambassador. Along with Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, Tripathi has now joined the Hyundai family. This means Hyundai is no longer represented by a single star but by a galaxy of diverse personalities.

Tripathi is the right guy for the cars we use every day:

Pankaj Tripathi is an actor we can all relate to. His acting feels more like real life than drama. He once shared that his first car was a Hyundai. This reveals his genuine connection with the Hyundai brand.

His simple nature, humility, and honesty, all of these align with Hyundai’s values. Tripathi seems like a credible representative of the middle-class Indian.

Shah Rukh and Deepika are staying with Hyundai:

Shah Rukh Khan has been Hyundai’s brand ambassador for almost 25 years. He symbolizes style and glamour for the brand. Deepika Padukone, with her stylish image, appeals strongly to the youth.

Looking at this, Hyundai is now aligning a celebrity with each car segment: Tripathi for regular family cars, Shah Rukh for premium models, and Deepika for the style-conscious youth.

Selling through stories:

Hyundai is not just showcasing cars, it’s trying to tell the stories behind them. It’s no longer only about horsepower or touchscreen size, but about how the brand’s values connect with the consumer.

The idea is that not everyone is looking for glamour, some are looking for a reliable, affordable, and relatable brand. Tripathi reflects that image well.

Competition in the market is high:

Hyundai has sold 9 million cars in India since 1996. But in April 2025, it slipped to fourth place in sales. Companies like Tata and Mahindra have overtaken Hyundai by focusing heavily on electric vehicles and SUVs. Even though exports have grown significantly, the decline in domestic sales is concerning.

SUVs are strong, but demand for other models is down

SUVs like the Creta, Alcazar, and Venue continue to sell well. However, demand for hatchbacks and sedans like the Verna and i20 has dropped. Consumer preference is clearly shifting towards SUVs.

Hyundai's future plan:

Hyundai has decided to launch 26 new cars by 2030. Out of these, 20 will be petrol/diesel models and 6 will be electric. Hybrid vehicles will also be part of the mix.

New models like the next-gen Creta, updated Venue, and facelifted Ioniq 5 are expected to hit the market in 2025. Hyundai hopes these will help regain its market share, especially in the premium SUV and EV segments.

A face for every type of customer:

Hyundai has now shifted its strategy to target every type of customer instead of relying on just one celebrity. It wants to present a different face for each audience from college students and small-town professionals to urban luxury seekers.

Tripathi stands as the brand’s most grounded and relatable face. Shah Rukh continues to represent the premium segment, while Deepika appeals to the young and style-conscious. Hyundai seems to be hedging its bets the Indian way, by trying to please every segment, one at a time.