Before the eighties and before the "liberalized" economic changes, India had a favourite car. It is difficult to imagine that now after the opening of the economy and globalisation, when cars from all over the world are sold and people have a huge choice.
But there were no choices then. India had only a handful of car manufacturers and among them was the gigantic Tata Motors, which were only making large vehicles for transport. But among them one car had taken the lead and had become India's favourite, the Ambassador, manufactured by a company called Hindustan Motors.
The car, affectionately called the "Amby", was manufactured locally on a license from the UK manufactured Morris Oxford series III, and was modeled after it. The license was acquired in 1954 when its production in the UK was stopped, and finally after another 3 years, the car was introduced in the country in the year 1957.
Since then, the car became a fixture in India and was used by everybody, from the President to lowly clerks and the general populace, making it one of the most popular and sought after car, making it into people's hearts and becoming the favourite within a few years.
The car itself was "boxy" and low tech which was able to be maintained by mechanics in the remotest of places, but it was also an extremely spacious and stately car which was comfortable enough to be used even for long stretches.
A line of the iconic Ambassador cars in front of India's Parliament
[Image Source: Wikimedia commons]
But in the eighties, India saw a major change in its economic laws and the floodgates were opened to allow foreign car companies to enter and set up manufacturing in the country. This move introduced the people to a new breed of cars led by the likes of Suzuki Motors, which started manufacturing and released their cars but with a different name. The Maruti car.
With the introduction of these cars, the demand for the trusted and dear Amby went down. And matters reached a head when the financial condition of the manufacturer went so bad that it had to close shop. And in the year 2014 production of India's favourite car, the Ambassador ceased.
But was the car dead? It looked that way. A car which had inspired a few generations was driving itself into oblivion and there was nothing people could do. It was a trade off against new technology and superior construction. It had to retire because the younger lot had arrived, which were faster, safer and more efficient.
But a recent news item has brought back the smile to every Amby enthusiasts face. According to it, Hindustan Motors Ltd, the company which manufactured the iconic car, had been sold to a foriegn car company, Peugeot , for an undisclosed amount of money. Though no further information was given in the press reports, enthusiasts are already talking of finally saving their favourite car as they feel the company has been sold for the specific purpose.
And I also hope they do, because the car is still loved and is one of the most recognised brands in the country. There are cities in the country, like Kolkata, where almost 90% of the taxis are Ambassadors. The car has been a work horse for the people for almost six decades and I fell it can do more.
And if the case of another car in another country could be taken as an example, I find that cars can be an emotional thing as witnessed in the case of the "Mini" in the UK, where the car has been re-introduced. And one of the main factors in deciding that, was in recognising the iconic status of the Mini for the people of the UK, and how almost everyone had a story associated with the car, which had been a part of life for a few generations.
Like the Ambassador car in India.