ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Hindustan Motors Sells Iconic Ambassador Brand to Peugeot 

The legendary workhorse was built strong, to withstand all conditions and weather. 

Published
Car and Bike
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

Hindustan Motors has sold off its iconic Ambassador brand to France-based auto maker Peugeot SA for Rs 80 crore. The French company has formed an alliance with the CK Birla Group and will be producing cars at Hindustan Motors' plant in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

Hindustan Motors (HM), the Kolkata-based automobile maker, introduced the Ambassador in 1954 as the Hindustan Landmaster.

It was then replaced with the Hindustan Ambassador Mark-1, which was the first car to be built in India, at a plant in Uttarpara near Kolkata.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

This iconic car has served India as the renowned 'yellow and black taxi' for generations, and even today continues to serve Kolkata. It used to be the go-to car for government officials, including the country's Prime Minister, at one point in time.

The legendary workhorse was built strong, to withstand all conditions and weather. 
This iconic car has served India for generations. (Photo: Reuters)
  • 01/03
    The iconic Ambassador served well as a government car. (Photo Courtesy: CarDekho)
  • 02/03
    HM made sure that the Ambassador can handle all conditions. (Photo Courtesy: CarDekho)
  • 03/03
    Round headlamps were a fad back then. (Photo Courtesy: CarDekho)

Over the years, HM tried its luck by reinventing the Ambassador, but growing competition and change in tastes forced their hand to call it quits once and for all.

Having said that, Indians will always have a special place for the Ambassador in their hearts.

The legendary workhorse was built strong, to withstand all conditions and weather. 
Kolkata continues to keep the yellow Ambassador taxi tradition going. (Photo: Reuters)

That's not all, even globally, the Ambassador was appreciated for its strength and durability. This was proven yet again when BBC's Top Gear show adjudged Ambassador as the world's best taxi.

So long, Ambassador. You lived a good life and hopefully you’ll never go off roads in Kolkata anytime soon.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

0

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from tech-and-auto and car-and-bike

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×