French automaker Peugeot SA Buys Ambassador
Peugeot buys Ambassador How the iconic car from India increased from glory.
For over half a century, the ambassador was the most recognized car in the country becoming the majestic carriage of the Prime Minister and taxi drivers as well.
A first television commercial aired in 2002 by the French automaker Peugeot showed a man visibly distressed thrash his Hindustan Motors Ambassador to the extent of doing a sit elephant on the hood of the car so he could reshape the Peugeot 206.
Nearly a decade later, the French automaker itself might be to find resculpting the Amby popularly known as having concluded an agreement with the C K Birla-controlled Hindustan Motors to buy the rights to the brand.
In a dramatic development late evening, Hindustan Motors said it has signed an agreement with Peugeot S A for the sale of the Ambassador brand and related rights for a consideration of Rs 80 crore.
That means clean India Morris Oxford Amby was designed on the Car UK - which dominated the urban landscape of India in the 1960s and 70s has become the most preferred machine for political class for its solid construction and durability as tank - fall into the hands of a foreign company.
For over half a century, the ambassador was the most recognized car from becoming the country majestic Transport Prime Minister and taxi-drivers Alike BM Birla, grandfather CK Birla was the defunct Hindustan Motors the first indigenous company car country.
The company, which was established in 1942, first started its assembly operations before moving to full production in mid 1950 Having started operations one year after independence, Hindustan Motors began import tools and Amby machines from Britain, which was the center of production for the III series of the Morris Oxford.
Steering wheel mounted shift lever, sun visor on the front windshield, rear seats flat type bench, winding dicky or boot, chrome describes round headlights and an Indian touch mini fan three blade established stand the ambassador of the rest.
There was not much a crowd at the time, either for Fiat Dukkar, Premier Padmini, Standard Motors Herald and Standard Gazel, the Amby had an unobstructed run Mahindra & Mahindra also sold at open roof, utility vehicles Jeep style, not exactly reporting style as was the ambassador.
Its robust male body, a spacious and comfortable interior, ease of maintenance and ability to take on the demanding roads of the hinterlands of India, made the Amby a huge success with large Indian families.
The warhorse was even invited carried right up until the twilight of 2013-2014 that was when India was headed for the national elections of former politicians like Nitin Gadkari fighters Kamal Nath and Shahnawaz Hussain Ambassador listed sheet assets in their statement.
The main customer base for the Amby, however, was the Calcutta taxi operators, including the car by an iconic yellow exterior Government of West Bengal, which was the state of the house of the Amby also promoted the car grown several times before the deadline Bharat Stage-IV emission to maintain its roads.
However, for what was the source of pride there 40 years ago, the ambassador has become a subject of embarrassment and subject of ridicule for some who see it as a symbol delay, especially for those born in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
SPEND stricter emission standards, the invasion of modern foreign brands and the general failure of the cash-strapped developers to pump investments to update the car and adapt to changing consumer needs led to Amby's disappearance.
Modern machines are simple and profitable Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota became the reason for the Amby has struggled to attract new buyers.
In mid-2014 the last of the ambassadors left the Uttarpara plant in West Bengal to mark the end of the long production run of 66 years, the longest in the country for any model.
Hindustan Motors has suspended production at the plant after announcing a voluntary retirement plan for its employees, the following year.
Although there are no details shared by Peugeot at the time about his vision to advance to the ambassador, however it is expected that the French automaker will try to revive the legendary brand while she still made another attempt to break the Indian market.
Late last month Peugeot and CK Birla Group announced joint plans to build cars and powertrains in India with an initial investment of 100 million euros Rs 730 crore plant Chennai based Indian group makes the Mitsubishi Pajero will used to manufacture the Peugeot models.
The attempt to revive a forgotten brand in India has rarely been done before several iconic automotive brands and well known as Premier Padmini Fiat Uno, Fiat Palio, Opel, Bajaj Chetak and kinetic scooters have never been revived despite their popularity .
Designer Dilip Chhabria recreation of the ambassador, the source concept Ambierod.
Peugeot bought the iconic Ambassador car How India's glorious past, Peugeot, buys, Ambassador, India.