Hindustan Motors Sells Iconic Ambassador Brand to Peugeot

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

Have we seen the last of the Ambassador? (Photo: Reuters)

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.

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.

This iconic car has served India for generations. (Photo: Reuters)

The iconic Ambassador served well as a government car. (Photo Courtesy: CarDekho)

HM made sure that the Ambassador can handle all conditions. (Photo Courtesy: CarDekho)

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.

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.