West Bengal Govt. wants to keep the Ambassador factory running
Hindustan Motors, makers of India’s most iconic Ambassador car, announced suspension of their factory at Uttarpara in West Bengal, bringing production of the iconic Ambassador to a complete halt. HM had been producing the Ambassador at this plant ever since 1957, but have now suspended production citing critical shortage of funds, piling debts and notable lack of demand.
Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador, which in its hay days was driven by politicians and senior government officials, particularly in New Delhi, has seen little change over the past 60 years. Once the most recognizable car on Indian roads, HM Ambassador now takes a back seat due to entry of modern vehicles and strapping SUVs which have now found favor with politicians and bureaucrats. Hindustan Motors’ plant in Uttarpara, in the 1980s used to produce 24,000 cars per year but production has now fallen to just 5 cars per day.
Following this dire situation and closure of Uttarpara plant announced, West Bengal’s Labour Minister Purnendu Bose states that they (WB Govt.) will try everything possible in their capacity to keep the plant up and running once again. A tie-up with Chinese company is also on the cards. The minister is also unhappy about the fact that HM management did not disclose their plans of suspension to them earlier.
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