India's Ambassador ranked the best taxi in the world by Top Gear

[agamdilawari]

NEW DELHI: It may have lost out to the more modern competitors from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Toyota and Honda but the good old Ambassador car, that once ruled the roost in India, has just been voted as the world's best taxi by global automotive programme Top Gear.

In a show, which is being aired on the BBC, Top Gear's executive director Richard Hammond organized a world taxi shootout in which Ambassador emerged a winner, beating competitors from all over the globe.

"The winner was India's virtually indestructible Hindustan Ambassador," UK-based motor museum Beaulieu, where the 'World of Top Gear' featuring vehicles from some of the most ambitious challenges are also showcased, said in a statement.

This particular example proved just how enduring the Ambassador really is when it saw off rivals from Britain, America, Germany, South Africa, Mexico and Russia to be named the world's best taxi, it added.

The Hindustan Ambassador started life in Britain as the Morris Oxford but, with a quick name change, it went on to become one of India's most enduring vehicles.

"It's (Ambassador) so tough that, although it now lives in World of Top Gear, with a quick wash and brush up, it could be back in service tomorrow - probably," the statement said.

In 1948, CK Birla Group firm Hindustan Motors Ltd began the production of the Ambassador at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, West Bengal.

Till the arrival of the Maruti in the early 80s, the Ambassador was the status symbol in India. Gradually it lost out to various global competitors when it came to personal usage but continued to be the favourite vehicle for government officials and also in the taxi segment.

In the recent past, its sales in both the segments have shown a decline and in 2012-13, the Ambassador sold a total of just 3,390 units. This fiscal, it has sold only 709 units in the April-June period.

Ambassador ranked the best taxi in the world by Top Gear - The Times of India

 

[neehar]

no vedio???

 

[T90TankGuy]

Thread already exists.
http://www.defence.pk/forums/members-club/265994-hindustan-ambassador-worlds-best-taxi.html

 

[Skull and Bones]

And this important topic deserves 5-6 more threads.

 

[BATMAN]

http://www.defence.pk/forums/members-club/265994-hindustan-ambassador-worlds-best-taxi.html

this is called spaming.

 

[RPK]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153046657480352

 

[Shinigami]

India's virtually indestructible Hindustan Ambassador

3 cheers for indian products

 

[Jaanbaz]

LOL watch the full show its good. I am sure views in UK would agree. The most entertaining motoring show in the World is Top Gear and i love their challenges.

 

[indian_foxhound]

well it is.. damn comfortable. ....

 

[Capt.Popeye]

LOL watch the full show its good. I am sure views in UK would agree. The most entertaining motoring show in the World is Top Gear and i love their challenges.

But this is one verdict of Top Gear that I do not agree with. As Cabs go; the London Cab is a better vehicle technically. The Ambassador is only far cheaper (maybe half the cost of a London cab) and far easier and cheaper to maintain. About the Ambassador being "indestructible"; that is only partly true. It does not have much to destroy actually.

 

[Jungibaaz]

LOL watch the full show its good. I am sure views in UK would agree. The most entertaining motoring show in the World is Top Gear and i love their challenges.

I love top gear.
It is hilarious, far more entertaining than anything else on tv.
Oh, and British version rules, smokes all other shows, including top gear USA.

 

[SirHatesALot]

I puked once while travelling in this car,driver didn't look happy

 

[Jaanbaz]

But this is one verdict of Top Gear that I do not agree with. As Cabs go; the London Cab is a better vehicle technically. The Ambassador is only far cheaper (maybe half the cost of a London cab) and far easier and cheaper to maintain. About the Ambassador being "indestructible"; that is only partly true. It does not have much to destroy actually.

London cabs are spacious and comfortable. But it wouldn't last long on Indian roads.

I love top gear.
It is hilarious, far more entertaining than anything else on tv.
Oh, and British version rules, smokes all other shows, including top gear USA.

I tried to force myself to watch Top Gear USA once, i wanted to break my computer after watching 2 mins of it.