Hindustan Motors rumoured to exit Car business

KiloAlpha · 27th March 2010, 08:07

In the grand scheme of things, globally, Mitsubishi is a 2nd tier player. This naturally implies a niche focus required in India in order to succeed with lower volumes (a la Subaru). And HM is one seriously unnecessary crutch in such a situation!
Wishing Mitsubishi all the best if HM does shut shop (which I think it should have years ago), but that leaves me wondering - HM still fills a niche, if it goes, who (or what) will move in?

mxx · 27th March 2010, 09:13

good news... only question is why did it take so long to take this decision? I think this is the smartest decision HM took in a decade.

BTW, it is good or bad for mitsu, only time will tell. If they had any serious plans in India they would have ended the partnership long back.

blackasta · 27th March 2010, 10:37

Guess we should stick to HM bashing instead of commie bashing - my 2 cents!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amartya

I think you will agree that the communist's have literally thrown industrialists/companies out from West Bengal by their strong arm tactics. Hired goons run the show, and that truly is not communism. HM is a part of the same system, feeding of captive markets with zero R&D and total lack of innovation, I will be glad when they draw the shutters. It'll be bad for West Bengal, but I firmly believe that mediocrity should be purged. And I do blamed the commies for that.

Well, I do have something to say here, and to be true I do not know the reason myself fully. Why do the kolkata cab drivers still swear by the amby? No one forces them to buy one, and they can get a indigo CS much quicker instead having to wait for a new amby.

You did say "mostly", but just wanted to drive home the point that the Manza has a fantastic rear bench, one that is comparable (and in my opinion better) than the Amby's.

Hence the 'mostly' - some of the TATA cars have a great rear seat.

I'd leave Nickatnite to answer that, but if he thinks likes me then I do consider the Amby to be symbolic of the license Raj, one our current Prime Minister got rid of. Outdated products, backed by the government's closed door policies.

No one is forcing anyone to buy the amby now. 20 years back it was a different story.

arunsasi · 27th March 2010, 10:58

Its about time. If you can't be innovative you won't stand half a chance in a developing economy like India. Btw consumers are more aware of what quality means ever since maruti launched 25 years ago and it has only got better. When you had all this time at your hand and still do nothing you have a place in history books

xingamazon · 27th March 2010, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by aargee

To that I would ask only one question, do you want to work & earn money or spend the rest of the life holding flag? This is nothing new because, a similar incident had happened when Caterpillar successfully took over one of Birla's plant in Hosur.

Well dont remember seeing Hosur in West Bengal, nor is Tamil Nadu a communist ruled state.

CARDEEP · 27th March 2010, 14:29

Closure of Amby product line was long overdue, as there were no actual upgrades to meet the safety norms & procuring new BS4 engine to fit in the engine bay or updating the existing ones would have been costly affair. The sales figures have not been encouraging either.

I wonder why did they discontinue the Conti... it was easy to upgrade to the new safety norms (due to more modern design in light of Amby).

However, all of us who have travelled in Amby know how comfortable these cars were in Indian driving conditions.

End of a legend...

trinadha · 27th March 2010, 23:37

had they only tried to better the engine from 37bhp to atleast 60 to 70 bhp it would have done wonders along with that better dealership

trinadha · 27th March 2010, 23:38

i mean the in the amby

nickatnite · 28th March 2010, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackasta

I am a bit curious - what wrongdoing can a car possibly be the icon of?

"Wrongdoings" would be more appropriate. If i have to make a list , then i would be at it forever. The Amby is but a symptom of a larger national malaise. It is an icon, but an icon for all the wrong reasons, IMO.

AyAn! · 28th March 2010, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickatnite

"Wrongdoings" would be more appropriate. If i have to make a list , then i would be at it forever. The Amby is but a symptom of a larger national malaise. It is an icon, but an icon for all the wrong reasons, IMO.

I don't quite agree here.

Just because it hasn't evolved over the years,it doesn't deem fit to label it as a 'wrongdoer' and point a finger at its iconic status.Britain does fine with its ubiquitous London Hackney cabs and hand-built Morgans,so what wrong has the Amby done,except looking like a grandpa in a classroom? It indeed has been the face of Indian motoring since long,ignoring its British roots.An icon in the true sense.Like it or not.

The new Avigo is powerfully retro,and still looks handsome.Not to mention that snug sofa at the rear.Plonk in the fine 1.8l ISZ petrol,and I'll merrily have one.Thank you.

devarshi84 · 31st March 2010, 10:36

Edit: New BS IV cars have started trickling in from Mitsubishi. Ambassador was supposed to be BS IV tested. DOn't have update on this. Anyone?

mpksuhas · 1st October 2010, 09:42

Came acoss this news in TOI today. Contary to what is being discussed in this thread till now it seems HM coming out with 6+ models in next 1.5 years. They also saying of four new variants of Ambassador.

After 26 yrs, HM may drive in new car - The Times of India

ajmat · 1st October 2010, 11:16

Most people believe in re-birth, these guys believe in immortality

sgiitk · 1st October 2010, 11:23

I think HM is not in Intensive Care but Critical Care! How long can a dinosaur survive, with mammals all over trying to eat it up? The best I can see is being taken over by some firm. The only thing they will get is land and sheds, along with the handicap of an unruly and excessive workforce (possibly ageing as well) in a communist ruled state.

issigonis · 1st October 2010, 12:13

>>>

I think the fundamental issue is a lack of an exit policy and an associated governance framework to ensure that there is an orderly, smooth drive into the sunset for a sunset factory with sunset manufacturing techniques. One can easily attribute the lack of one to the 'great Indian ability of not attacking the problem head on and proposing a simple solution'.

The HM management should focus only on quality manufacturing of sub-assemblies/kits such as braking systems, suspension systems and take a leadership position there, rather than continue with manufacturing products that don't sell.

One has to move with the times. Tata Motors ( the erstwhile TELCO) started life as a locomotive and commercial vehicle manufacturer/assembler. Look where it is now.

Regards

27th March 2010, 08:07	#46
KiloAlpha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cubicle Posts: 1,622 Thanked: 3,102 Times	In the grand scheme of things, globally, Mitsubishi is a 2nd tier player. This naturally implies a niche focus required in India in order to succeed with lower volumes (a la Subaru). And HM is one seriously unnecessary crutch in such a situation! Wishing Mitsubishi all the best if HM does shut shop (which I think it should have years ago), but that leaves me wondering - HM still fills a niche, if it goes, who (or what) will move in?
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 09:13	#47
mxx BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 772 Thanked: 313 Times	good news... only question is why did it take so long to take this decision? I think this is the smartest decision HM took in a decade. BTW, it is good or bad for mitsu, only time will tell. If they had any serious plans in India they would have ended the partnership long back. Last edited by mxx : 27th March 2010 at 09:14.
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 10:58	#49
arunsasi BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kochi Posts: 68 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Its about time. If you can't be innovative you won't stand half a chance in a developing economy like India. Btw consumers are more aware of what quality means ever since maruti launched 25 years ago and it has only got better. When you had all this time at your hand and still do nothing you have a place in history books
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 14:29	#51
CARDEEP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NCR Posts: 3,340 Thanked: 2,721 Times	Closure of Amby product line was long overdue, as there were no actual upgrades to meet the safety norms & procuring new BS4 engine to fit in the engine bay or updating the existing ones would have been costly affair. The sales figures have not been encouraging either. I wonder why did they discontinue the Conti... it was easy to upgrade to the new safety norms (due to more modern design in light of Amby). However, all of us who have travelled in Amby know how comfortable these cars were in Indian driving conditions. End of a legend...
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 23:37	#52
trinadha BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 244 Thanked: 22 Times	had they only tried to better the engine from 37bhp to atleast 60 to 70 bhp it would have done wonders along with that better dealership
	() Thanks

27th March 2010, 23:38	#53
trinadha BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 244 Thanked: 22 Times	i mean the in the amby
	() Thanks

31st March 2010, 10:36	#56
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 213 Times View My Garage	Edit: New BS IV cars have started trickling in from Mitsubishi. Ambassador was supposed to be BS IV tested. DOn't have update on this. Anyone?
	() Thanks

1st October 2010, 09:42	#57
mpksuhas Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: KA03/KL11 Posts: 4,149 Thanked: 8,408 Times View My Garage	Came acoss this news in TOI today. Contary to what is being discussed in this thread till now it seems HM coming out with 6+ models in next 1.5 years. They also saying of four new variants of Ambassador. After 26 yrs, HM may drive in new car - The Times of India
	() Thanks

1st October 2010, 11:16	#58
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,203 Thanked: 31,519 Times View My Garage	Most people believe in re-birth, these guys believe in immortality
	() Thanks

1st October 2010, 11:23	#59
sgiitk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,971 Thanked: 4,809 Times	I think HM is not in Intensive Care but Critical Care! How long can a dinosaur survive, with mammals all over trying to eat it up? The best I can see is being taken over by some firm. The only thing they will get is land and sheds, along with the handicap of an unruly and excessive workforce (possibly ageing as well) in a communist ruled state.
	() Thanks

1st October 2010, 12:13	#60
issigonis BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 956 Thanked: 96 Times	>>> I think the fundamental issue is a lack of an exit policy and an associated governance framework to ensure that there is an orderly, smooth drive into the sunset for a sunset factory with sunset manufacturing techniques. One can easily attribute the lack of one to the 'great Indian ability of not attacking the problem head on and proposing a simple solution'. The HM management should focus only on quality manufacturing of sub-assemblies/kits such as braking systems, suspension systems and take a leadership position there, rather than continue with manufacturing products that don't sell. One has to move with the times. Tata Motors ( the erstwhile TELCO) started life as a locomotive and commercial vehicle manufacturer/assembler. Look where it is now. Regards
	() Thanks