Ambassadors, Beetle, Maruti 800: It was the end of the road for some iconic cars this decade
Some Motown vintage beauties called it a day in the past decade.
By ET Online |
Agencies
Here's a look at some of the iconic cars which drove into memory this decade.
India's love affair with cars is undeniable. With people's appetite growing for newer models, the automobile companies had to put a halt to the production of some popular vehicles in order to make way for their successors.
From the classic Ambassador cars that earned the name, 'the king of Indian roads' to the iconic Maruti 800 that won millions of hearts due to its compact design and affordability, this decade has seen a major overhaul by auto companies.
Here's a look at some of the iconic cars which drove into memory this decade.
Hindustan Ambassador Having a Hindustan Ambassador in the early 1960s and mid-1980s was considered as a symbol of high status and power. Hindustan Motors of India started manufacturing the car in 1958, and the production continued till 2014 with several updates and improvements. The iconic car which was referred to as the 'king of Indian roads' was the first ever Made-in-India car, despite its British origins. This first diesel car, which was in production for 56 years, was known for being sturdy and comfortable.
Hindustan Ambassador Ministers and civil servants preferred this car for many years. While the Government contributed to 16 per cent of the cars' total sales - heavily used for politicians and bureaucrats - it also became the face of taxis on bumpy, Indian roads.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to a BBC report, the French manufacturer Peugeot bought the iconic car brand from Hindustan Motors for $12 million in February 2017.
Volkswagen Beetle In September 2018, Volkswagen said it will stop the worldwide production of iconic Beetle in July 2019 at the Puebla plant in Mexico. The car that was sold for nearly seven decades was first rolled out in 1938. The auto company said that it wants to focus more on SUVs, electric and crossovers.
Bidding Adieu To Beetle: 5 Times Movies Featured This Iconic Car
1/6
Volkswagen will be putting an end to the production of its iconic Beetle after 7 long decades. The curvy-topped sedans were a hit all over the world and gained popularity when it shook off the Nazi origins.
The auto giant is now turning its focus on electric and family-oriented vehicles.
As we get ready to bid adieu to the legendary inspect-inspired car in 2019, here's a look at the movies that featured the Beetle, and made it a style statement.
Volkswagen will be putting an end to the production of its iconic Beetle after 7 long decades. The curvy-topped sedans were a hit all over the world and gained popularity when it shook off the Nazi..
Read More
The American comedy was the first-ever film by Disney to feature the car. A pearl-white, sunroof 1963 racing Beetle named Herbie is the star of the movie.
Starring Dean Jones, the film follows the adventures of Herbie and its driver.
(Image: imbd.com)
The American comedy was the first-ever film by Disney to feature the car. A pearl-white, sunroof 1963 racing Beetle named Herbie is the star of the movie.
Starring Dean Jones, the film follows t..
Read More
The 1984 musical dance-drama tells the story of a Chicago teen who moves to a small town where dance and rock music has been banned.
The two things highly noticeable about this movie were Bacon’s sweet moves and his yellow Beetle.
(Image: imbd.com)
The 1984 musical dance-drama tells the story of a Chicago teen who moves to a small town where dance and rock music has been banned.
The two things highly noticeable about this movie were Bacon’..
Read More
Sonam Kapoor’s 'Aisha' was a trendsetter in the country. From classy handbags to shoes, this movie was all about living the good life in Delhi .
The film also made the iconic Beetle, Kapoor's ride in the film, a rage in the country.
(Image: imbd.com)
Sonam Kapoor’s 'Aisha' was a trendsetter in the country. From classy handbags to shoes, this movie was all about living the good life in Delhi .
The film also made the iconic Beetle, Kapoor's ri..
Read More
Another Disney production starring the VW Beetle, 'Herbie Fully Loaded' is a 2005 sports-comedy featuring Lindsay Lohan as the youngest member in a family of automobile racers, while Justin Long plays the role of her mechanic-best friend.
The film features 'Herbie Number 53' (previously owned by Jim Douglas from 'The Love Bug'), a free-wheeling Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own.
(Image: imbd.com)
Another Disney production starring the VW Beetle, 'Herbie Fully Loaded' is a 2005 sports-comedy featuring Lindsay Lohan as the youngest member in a family of automobile racers, while Justin Long pl..
Read More
A movie about relationships and breakups, this one featured Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan in leading roles.
However, it wasn't just the actors that caught our attention, but also Padukone's yellow Volkswagen Beetle.
This movie, like 'Aisha', turned out to be a popularity booster for the car in India.
A movie about relationships and breakups, this one featured Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan in leading roles.
However, it wasn't just the actors that caught our attention, but also Padukone's ye..
Beetle became popular after it was featured in the 1968 Disney film "The Love Bug" as a racing car called 'Herbie'.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maruti 800 Maruti 800 was a gamechanger for the automobile industry in India. After ruling the roads for nearly 30 years, the company decided to roll out its last red model in January 2014.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maruti 800 It became India's best selling car and the most-preferred rides for the middle class. Tata tried to introduce Nano to take over the most-affordable car tag, but failed to succeed.
While the car's production has halted, the auto company will continue to sell spare parts for the next eight to 10 years.
Hyundai Accent Hyundai decided it was time to make way for the new hatchbacks i10 and i20, and hence discontinued the Accent due to record low sales in 2013.
Hyundai Accent After its launch in 1999, the auto company was on a high and gave tough competition to Maruti Esteem. People started noticing the affordable-variant of the sedan, and the company sold around 30,000 units in 2005.
With tough competition from competitors like Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios, Honda Amaze, and availability in just petrol and Dealer Fitted CNG, the brand died a slow death.
Tata Sumo After a 25-year-long-run, Tata decided to silently pulled the plug on Sumo. While the company never released a statement, but the car's new updates don't comply with the AIS 145 safety norms and the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program which further resulted in Maruti Omni and Gypsy to discontinue as well.
Tata Sumo The production of the SUV started in 1994 and discontinued in April this year.
Going Green: Top Electric Cars In India For Environmentally-Conscious People
1/5
With pollution on the rise in many cities in India, these electric vehicles are a solution to the problem for people who care about the environment.
With pollution on the rise in many cities in India, these electric vehicles are a solution to the problem for people who care about the environment.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived for the winter session of Parliament in an electric car recently. He told a news agency that the government was gradually switching to pollution-free cars. He urged people to also do likewise or use public transport.
These are the cars in India which are fully electric.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived for the winter session of Parliament in an electric car recently. He told a news agency that the government was gradually switching to pollution-free ca..
Read More
This was the car that Javadekar chose to make his entry for the Parliamentary session in. The car has a 134hp permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor. This is powered by a high-voltage 39.2 kWh advanced lithium-ion polymer battery. The car can do a maximum range of 452 km on a full charge. The battery can be fully charged in seven to eight hours using standard charging. Fast charging of the battery can go to 80 per cent in 54 minutes.
This was the car that Javadekar chose to make his entry for the Parliamentary session in. The car has a 134hp permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor. This is powered by a high-voltage 39.2 kWh a..
Read More
With a 21.5 kWh battery pack, the car can do 213 km on a single charge. The car has two charging ports for fast charging and slow AC charging. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen using the car to arrive for the Monsoon session of the state assembly. He had praised the vehicle's design as well as its lack of sound. He called it comfortable back in July.
With a 21.5 kWh battery pack, the car can do 213 km on a single charge. The car has two charging ports for fast charging and slow AC charging. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen using the car..
Read More
The car can do 140km on a single charge with its electric motor and a 72V lithium-ion battery pack. The battery can be fully charged in one hour and 45 minutes using a fast charger. With a regular charger, it takes about eight hours to charge. The e-Verito's top speed is 86 kmph. It is available in three variants.
The car can do 140km on a single charge with its electric motor and a 72V lithium-ion battery pack. The battery can be fully charged in one hour and 45 minutes using a fast charger. With a regular ch..
