Hindustan Motors logo
Hindustan motors logo features blue horizontal rectangular with stylized H and M letters and Hindustan motors in blue color bellow
Hindustan Motors Brand Overview
1942
Brij Mohan Birla
Kolkata, India
Hindustan Motors is an Indian automotive manufacturer founded in 1942. The company started off as a manufacturer of passenger cars, and is best known for the Ambassador, a car that was widely used as a taxi in India for several decades. The Ambassador was based on the Morris Oxford Series III model, and was in production from 1958 to 2014.
In addition to passenger cars, Hindustan Motors has also produced commercial vehicles and tractors. The company’s production facility is located in Chennai, India. In recent years, Hindustan Motors has faced financial difficulties and has ceased production of most of its vehicles, with the exception of the Ambassador which continues to be produced in small numbers for government use.
Hindustan Motors History
Hindustan Motors was one of India’s oldest car manufacturers, established in 1942. The company was known for producing iconic vehicles such as the Ambassador, which served as India’s official state car for many years. However, in recent years, the company has faced financial difficulties and has ceased production of cars.
The origins of Hindustan Motors can be traced back to 1938 when the Birla Group, a leading Indian conglomerate, set up a manufacturing plant in Kolkata to produce cars under license from Morris Motors of the UK. The plant began production in 1942 with the Hindustan 10, a car based on the Morris 10. In 1948, the company launched the Hindustan Landmaster, which was based on the Morris Oxford III. This car became a popular choice for the Indian government and was even used by the country’s Prime Minister as his official car.
In 1957, Hindustan Motors signed a technical collaboration agreement with the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors to produce their cars in India. This led to the production of the Hindustan Contessa, a car based on the Mitsubishi Galant. The Contessa was a luxury sedan that was popular with Indian elites during the 1980s and 1990s.
However, the company’s most iconic car was the Ambassador, which was based on the Morris Oxford Series III. The Ambassador was launched in 1958 and quickly became a symbol of India’s growing middle class. The car was known for its spacious interior, sturdy build quality, and simple mechanics, which made it easy to maintain. The Ambassador was so popular that it served as India’s official state car for many years and was even used by the country’s Prime Minister.
In the early 2000s, Hindustan Motors began to face financial difficulties due to increased competition from other car manufacturers and the company’s inability to keep up with changing consumer preferences. In 2014, the company suspended production of cars at its plant in Uttarpara, West Bengal, citing low demand and mounting debts.
Today, Hindustan Motors continues to manufacture and sell spare parts for its existing models, including the Ambassador. While the company may no longer be a major player in India’s automotive industry, its legacy lives on through its iconic cars that have become a part of India’s cultural heritage.
Hindustan Motors Logo present
Hindustan Motors logo changes over the years
