Hindustan Motors (HM) launched a new variant of Ambassador, the Ambassador Grand with spruced up interiors and exteriors. With a price tag of Rs 4.2 lakh for 1800 CC petrol and Rs 4.45 lakh for 2000 CC diesel (both ex-showroom Delhi), the company is targeting at bureaucrats and individual buyers and intends to sell nearly 400 cars per month.The Ambassador Grand comes with contemporary technological features such as power steering, power brakes and remote shift gear. The changes in the exterior include a new grille, large tail lamps, new transparent headlamps and a ner rear number plate. In addition to this, Grand also boasts of a new acoustic package that has been developed in association with Treves of France. While the exhaust has been revamped in association with Walker.Ambassador’s new variant will be available in 1800 Isuzu MPFi petrol engine and 2000 CC Isuzu diesel engine and Isuzu five speed gearbox. The car will be manufactured at HM’s Uttarpara plant in West Bengal.Hindustan Motors is also targeting nearly 30 per cent increase in Ambassador sales at 18,000 units this year. “This fiscal, we have targeted to sell 17,000-18,000 Ambassador cars. Last year, we had sold 14,000 units. Of this, the new variant should comprise 2,000 units,” Hindustan Motors vice-president, marketing Satish Burman told reporters here. Hindustan Motors will focus on Ambassador exports this year to mainly Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “Some Ambassadors were exported to UK last year. This year exports will be a thrust area”, he said. “About 137 design improvements have gone in the car to spruce up quality and performance”, he added.Stating the Ambassador as a 50-year old car which is as contemporary as any other new vehicle, Burman said it would be targeted at ‘niche’ buyers like government, professionals, luxury hotels and for export markets.The company plans to launch another variant of the car called ‘Avigo’ later this year, he added.
