Hindustan Motors : History, Manufacturing, CEO, Products, Safety Ratings, Joint Ventures

Hindustan Motors is such a name which reminds us of all the old memories of India. This company is the manufacturer of the famous Ambassador car, which was once called the King of Indian Roads. It is a very old company, and it used to be a very great car in the car world of India when other companies dominated the market. Today people want to know about its product, where it used to make cars, what were its top models, and how many years it used to be, and whether it exists today or not. 

If it exists, then what is new with it? In today’s article, we have shared all the information related to it with you and have also given the news of its possible comeback.

Hindustan Motors Overview

Hindustan Motors was an Indian car maker which was started by BM Birla in 1942 before the independence of India. It is a part of the CK Birla Group, which used to be a big family business. In earlier times in India, Hindustan Motors used to be the top car company, and it has made many cars like Ambassador, which is still very famous. 

It is a Kolkata-based company, and it ruled the car market till 1980 when companies like Maruti were starting. They have made not only cars but also trucks and tractors. It is not that big in today’s time, but still this Hindustan company holds a very special place in the hearts of the people of India, and its journey has been very good.

Hindustan Motors Manufacturing In India

Hindustan Motors mostly used to make all the cars in India. Their main factories were in Uttarpara, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu (India), They started this work from Port Okha, Gujarat with a small setup. Before moving to big plants, the company also started a factory in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh to make engines. They did not build cars outside India but worked with foreign companies and took help in designing them. Their entire real manufacturing was in India, and it was a real home ground name.

Hindustan Motors History

• In 1942, the company was started by BM Birla Group in Gujarat to make cars in India.
• In 1948, they moved to Uttarpara, West Bengal, and launched Hindustan 10 Car.
• In 1954, they made the Landmaster, and it was a very hit car based on Morris design.
• In 1957, the company launched Ambassador car, which became super popular in India, and it continued to roll for many decades.
• In 1980, they faced very tough times because a company like Maruti had come, and other companies were also becoming big.
• In 2014, the company stopped making cars at Uttarpara because their sales had reduced a lot.
• In 2017, they sold the Ambassador name to Peugeot for Rs 80 crore.

Hindustan Motors’ Product Portfolio

Hindustan Automobiles (Safety Ratings)

Hindustan Motors’ cars like Ambassador were very strong, but there were no modern safety tests in it like Global NCAP ratings. Safety was not given much priority in that time, and it was not measured in such a good way. Ambassador used to be a two-body car; it was good for small crashes, and there were no airbags or fancy brakes in it. 

Due to the old model, the latest versions have come today, and in that time it was given a lot of safety. No official safety scores exist because the production was stopped. Before the strict test came, people liked its durability a lot. It used to be quite safe according to the time.

Hindustan Motors and Its Joint Ventures

Hindustan Motors Trending Cars

Ambassador : One of the best cars of Hindustan Motors was Ambassador car, and it was the king of their portfolio. It was made from 1957 to 2014, and it was quite boxy, and it had comfortable seats. Its features were the strong body; the space inside was very big, and its simple petrol or diesel engine was of 1995 cc, and it was best for taxis and leaders.

Contessa : In 1984, a car called Contessa was launched, which was quite sleek and modern in design. It had a 1.8-liter petrol and 2-liter diesel engine, and it had a very cool design. Its features were smooth ride, good power, and fancy. According to the time, its production was stopped in 2002, but it still has a lot of fans.

Mitsubishi Pajero : While collaborating with Mitsubishi, a car called Pajero was launched from 1998 to 2012, which was a very good car. It was special for off-roading and had a strong 2.8-liter diesel engine and a very good look. It was a bit costly, but adventure fans liked it a lot.

Recent Updates

In 2025, HML is going viral on social media. People are saying that the Ambassador car can come back in 2025, and since it was sold to Peugeot, work has started on it again. They are mixing its old phase with new technology, and it is possible that an electric version should be launched. 

In 2024, the company said that its electric two-wheeler is being planned with a European partner, which is set for 2025. Its production was stopped in 2014, but today there are plans to restart it with a fresh idea. Fans are very excited and want to see if the king is coming back.

Conclusion

HML started India’s car story with Ambassador and produced many hit cars like the Ambassador. Its days were very good in the 1950s, and by 2014 it flopped. Its journey has been quite a roller coaster. Its entire production used to be in India, and it did not have any modern safety score; that’s why it became discontinued. 

Its possible comeback with joint ventures is seen in 2025, and people hope that it can shine again. This company is not just a history; it is a name that can surprise us very soon, be it an electric bike or the new Ambassador, its legacy will remain intact.

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