Indian Autos blog

When we learnt that Hindustan Motors was working on Pick up truck based on the Ambassador, the earth almost slipped below our feet. Then, we found something in the pages of history that proved HM is quite capable of making this pick up truck. Now, thanks to the folks at Teambhp, we have a spy shot of the HM Ambassador Pick up truck.

From the looks of things, this is a single cab pick up truck with an average size loading bed. The interiors are bare bone utilitarian – simple and basic. The engine options are anyone guess right now – could be a diesel, could be CNG.

HM is has set its heart in diversifying the Ambassador brand name. First, the CS version then the Pick Up version. Of course, the current Ambassador is all set to get a complete revamp in 2012.

What’s next a hot rod version of the Amby?

Here’s some bad news for Amby fans – The Delhi Police has resolved to send one Amby after another into retirement. Commissioner of Police Delhi, BK Gupta – We are in the process of buying vehicles like Maruti SX4 that are easy to maintain and save fuel.” A proposal was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs long time ago which was finally accepted. Mr Gupta until recently was commuting  [ Read More ]

Hindustan Motors is working on reviving the Ambassador. The vehicle is expected by July 2011 with a fresh design. The platform remains as it is. The bodywork, interiors and characteristics we hear have been thoroughly revamped.

We have no idea on how the end result will turn out to be. SRK set off by looking at the current Ambassador’s design and gradually modernized it part by part.

Much of the work on the new Ambassador has been carried out by overseas specialists. The Ambassador, according to the company will sport “cutting-edge” engineering. HM should work equally hard to preserve the traits of the Amby which is space, comfort and ease of maintenance.

HM has also kicked off an exciting online campaign on Facebook and is receiving feedback from customers and general public which we reckon will serve as the framework for variants and equipment.

Do you think the next gen Ambassador will look similar?

If you have grown up in India in the 80’s or 90’s, (and it really doesn’t matter what sex, income group, location etc. you belong to) you will have your very own memory of the mighty Ambassador. Touted as the Sarkari Babu’s Car, the Amby is one of the greatest icons that have lived in the Indian Auto market.

For our international audiences who don’t know what I am all about; Launched in the 1950s, the Hindustan Motors Ambassador was actually a re-badged Morris Oxford III that took off in India because of astonishingly comfortable ride even on harsh Indian roads.

If the Maruti 800 is considered as the People’s Car of Indian, the Amby was a Statesman’s car. Most of them had a small label saying ‘The Govt of India’ and a tiny siren on the top and were followed by a fleet of policemen on bullets. It is very difficult not to get misty-eyed when you speak of one.

Sure, they were attempts made to bring this icon back from the dead. In 2004, they launched the HM Avigo which was just a face lifted version of the Ambassador. But all these efforts were half hearted and the whole set up ended up as a complete failure.

But last night while surfing of Facebook, I found a tiny ad on the left hand side that said Amby – Come Back. Much to my delight, the Amby was right there.

So apparently the company has opened a facebook account and is collecting a lot of market feedback for a complete overhaul of the Amby in 2011. The company president Mr C. K. Birla did make a lot of promises last month about the new car. He said,

The new Amby will have a retro design and sport cutting-edge engineering to compete on comfort and value for money. Overseas experts have been roped in for the metamorphosis. The new version will be ready by January-February 2011 for test trials and is expected to undergo validation by May so that commercial production can begin next July

We do wish the entire team all the luck in the world!

What are you waiting for? Head over and have a look yourself: http://www.facebook.com/ambycomeback

The new Amby will have a retro design and sport cutting-edge engineering to compete on comfort and value for money. Overseas experts have been roped in for the metamorphosis. The new version will be ready by January-February 2011 for test trials and is expected to undergo validation by May so that commercial production can begin next July. Overseas technology firms are working on each aspect of the car to ensure the vehicle is on a par with contemporary vehicles on Indian roads in terms of built quality and reliability

Hindustan Motors Chairman C K Birla divulges information on the Ambassador revival to Times Of India

Mitsubishi’s latest offering in Indian market,The Outlander SUV is now available in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) too. Outlander was already available in major cities of India.

Hindustan Motors, as we all know, is one of India’s most famous automobile companies – they brought us never aging versions of the Ambassador, later the Contessa and then collaboration with Mitsubushi. Look at what they have just launched – why, its the HM Shifeng Winner ! Hurray! Just what we had been expecting for a long time!